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Montgomery Township hears mixed public reaction to fire-staffing plan; supervisors schedule follow-up meeting
Summary
Supervisors reviewed Chief Wegman’s proposal to increase paid fire staffing amid falling volunteer availability, heard residents voice both support and concern over a proposed 1.4‑mill tax increase (cited as a 47.6% rise by one speaker), and voted to advertise a Nov. 14 public meeting to revisit figures and scenarios.
Montgomery Township supervisors debated a proposal to expand paid fire staffing on Oct. 28 as residents weighed safety gains against a potential property-tax increase.
Chief Bill Wegman’s staffing plan, presented earlier in the budget process, offers several scenarios—ranging from phased hires to a full complement—built on finance staff estimates using the chief’s staffing recommendations and assumptions about benefits and premium increases. Township staff said outreach included committee briefings, a town hall, a podcast, a dedicated webpage and a postcard mailed to 11,304 addresses.
The meeting turned into an extended public comment session. Denise Sesselman of 106 Caldwell Court said she received limited HOA notice and asked for an independent review, noting on the mailed card that the 1.4‑mill option "is actually an increase of…
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