Council pauses on ordinance restricting Fire Department facility access after department raises concerns

A proposed ordinance (2026-16) to amend borough code related to Fire Department property use and access was presented on June 29, 2026 but the council did not move to adopt it after the department voiced concerns.

The draft ordinance would make explicit that all fire stations, related buildings and grounds are Borough-owned municipal property and that no Fire Department officer, company official, Building Manager or bylaw can independently authorize outside, private or commercial use of those facilities unless the Mayor and Council grant such use by resolution or adopt a written facilities-use policy. The measure also preserves Building Managers’ administrative duties for issuance, tracking and suspension of access credentials while making their actions subject to Council review, suspension or override.

During the public hearing, Wayne Wagner of East Brunswick, speaking on behalf of the Fire Department, "expresses the reservations that the Fire Department has regarding this ordinance" and thanked council leaders for meeting with the department to discuss the proposal. The minutes record that "No one made a motion to accept Ordinance 2026-16," indicating the council chose not to act on the measure at this meeting. The ordinance contains detailed provisions covering credentials, unauthorized use, enforcement, and explicit language that any inconsistent fire-company bylaws would be void to the extent of the inconsistency.

Council members and staff indicated they had discussed the ordinance in advance; the matter remains pending and could be brought back for further consideration after stakeholders and council members address the department’s concerns.