Fire budget passes muster with Millstone voters Taxes for average homeowner to increase by about $39 For the first time in four years, Millstone Township voters approved the fire district budget. Dave Markunas, a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, said the turnout for the Feb. 16 vote was the largest in the district's history, with 347 voters and 19 absentee ballots. The proposed $1.28 million budget passed by a vote of 187-163. The budget increases the local fire tax rate to .093 per $100 of assessed value, which is an increase of .011 over last year's rate. As a result of the budget passing, a homeowner with a house assessed at the township's average of $351,786 will pay an extra $38.70 per year in local fire taxes. Although the budget passed, an additional budget question failed with voters. The second question failed in a 163-182 vote. Additional salaries and wages totaling $37,550, fringe benefits totaling $27,600, and maintenance and repair costs totaling $27,450 were not approved because the question failed with voters. During the election, two new commissioners were elected. Robert Broder received 238 votes and Paul Boegemann received 219 votes to win the two open seats, while candidate John Erichsen only garnered 138 votes and lost the election. - Jane Meggitt