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Oldmans Township introduces emergency-services ordinances as residents urge Auburn Fire reinstatement
Summary
The Oldmans Township Committee introduced three ordinances tightening junior-firefighter rules and apparatus staffing and approved a volunteer membership application, while several residents, chiefs and ambulance personnel urged the committee to reopen Auburn Fire during public comment amid outside investigations.
The Oldmans Township Committee on Nov. 13 introduced three emergency-services ordinances and heard impassioned public comment calling for the reinstatement of Auburn Fire.
The committee approved resolutions to introduce Ordinance 2024-12 (restrictions on junior firefighters), Ordinance 2024-13 (minimum staffing per apparatus) and Ordinance 2024-14 (a formal agreement between the township and volunteer fire services). Mayor Murphy read motions to introduce the ordinances and the committee voted to introduce each by resolution; public hearings for at least two of the ordinances were set for Dec. 11.
The measures add limits on junior-firefighter responses — explicitly barring calls to agricultural, commercial and industrial properties — and set staffing minimums that the ordinance text describes as four firefighters on the first truck, two on a second truck and two required when assisting ambulance calls. The committee framed these as legislative introductions; final adoption will depend on the scheduled public hearings and any further edits.
During the public-comment period, multiple residents and emergency-services personnel urged the committee to reopen Auburn Fire, which the minutes indicate is currently suspended while outside agencies investigate an incident. Joe DiNicola said "an outside complaint was lodged" and that "there are three outside agencies investigating"; the committee confirmed it is awaiting input from the New Jersey Department of Labor before making any reinstatement decision.
Chief Melody Reese, identified in the minutes as chief of Auburn Fire, told the committee she has been an Oldmans resident for 30 years and has served in EMS for 20 years; she said she "believes the decision was made in haste" and requested the station be allowed to reopen. Other speakers, including parents of junior firefighters and ambulance staff, described community reliance on Auburn Fire, raised concerns about homeowner insurance and apparatus access to Auburn Village, and urged collaboration between the township's two volunteer companies.
The committee also approved a membership application for Zachary Bevis to the Logan Volunteer Fire Company. The minutes record that "Mr. Sparks made a motion to approve, Mr. Murphy seconded and both agreed. Mr. Ferrell abstained." The minutes do not include roll-call tallies beyond that statement.
No final action to reopen Auburn Fire was taken at the meeting; the committee moved to executive session to discuss contract negotiations and personnel matters and returned shortly before adjourning. The minutes say the township will await the outcome of outside investigations and the Department of Labor’s input before deciding on Auburn Fire’s status.
