Keasbey Fire District dissolution

Paul of Hopelawn asked the council to commit that the former Keasbey firehouse won't be conveyed to Stalwart Equities or SEI Keasbey Urban Renewal without an independent appraisal, competitive bidding, and disclosure of developer communications. He also questioned the ethics of paying a law firm whose principal helped write the state's affordable housing framework.

John of Woodbridge argued the growing, industrialized Keasbey area still needs its firehouse and questioned whether Fords and Hopelawn companies can handle major fires there. The mayor countered that those companies have more volunteers and better equipment and that Keasbey answers only about 170 calls a year.

A Keasbey fire commissioner said the state DCA draft report on the fire district is inaccurate and outdated, listing changes since December 1 including 24/7 staffing, six certified command firefighters, and three new fire instructors — and noting the district is willing to work with Fords.