Voters approve spending plan with no tax increase.

By: Mark Moffa, Staff Writer, Messenger Press: http://www.messengerpress.com 

  WASHINGTON — Township voters passed the fire district's budget Saturday, which calls for an unchanged fire tax rate.
   Out of the 177 residents who came to the firehouse to vote, 131 voted for the budget, and 44 voted against the proposal.
   "We're very happy that people realize that the service is a valuable service and that they continue to support us," said Fire Commissioner Debbie Matson. She added, however, that she was disappointed in the low voter turnout.
   The fire tax rate remained at 16 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
   According to the township assessors office, the average house in Washington Township is valued at $158,000. The owner of a house valued at $158,000 would pay $252.80 in fire taxes.
   The fire budget is one part of the total tax bill, which also includes municipal, school, open space, and Mercer County taxes.
   In addition to the budget, two of the five commissioner positions were up for election this year.
   Robin Skidmore defeated Timothy Dring in the race for the unexpired term vacated by Commissioner Mike Alessi. Ms. Skidmore garnered 78 votes to Mr. Dring's 68. One year remains in that term.
   Incumbent Commissioner Kenneth Crosley ran unopposed for re-election to a three-year term. He received 127 votes.
   This election marks the second year in a row in which voters approved the fire budget.
   Last year, resident's approved a 45 percent increase in fire taxes, from 11 to 16 cents per $100 of assessed value. The fire district sought the increase in order to double the size of its paid staff and provide 24-hour paid fire service to Washington.
   The department now has 12 paid firefighters and approximately a dozen volunteers.
   The fire department held a community meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3, for residents with questions or concerns about the department. According to Ms. Matson, no one attended.