UNANIMOUS VOTE PASSED TO REDUCE COMMISSIONER STIPEND BY 40%

On November 4, 2018 during a regular meeting of the Toms River Fire District #2 Board of Fire Commissioners, Commissioner Joe Duff brought a motion to the floor to INCREASE the Commissioner stipend by 40% from $7,200 to $10,000.[1] Commissioner Duff’s motion was seconded, voted on and passed 3-0, with two of five Commissioners not present.

On March 4, 2020, more than one year later, I was administered an oath of office for my FIRST TERM as a Commissioner for Toms River Fire District #2.[2]

Over the past few weeks, I have been wrongfully accused of raising the Fire Commissioner stipend by 40% “in the middle of a pandemic”. THIS IS NOT TRUE. In March of this year, another Commissioner was also wrongfully accused of raising the stipend by 40%. I have spoken to many taxpayers and residents of Fire District #2 about the stipend, and I presented them with the facts of the matter and asked for opinions. I found that most of the people I spoke with believe that the 40% stipend increase is excessive, and I absolutely agree.

On May 5, 2021 during a regular meeting of the Toms River Fire District #2 Board of Fire Commissioners, I took meaningful action on behalf of the taxpayers and residents of Fire District #2 and brought a motion to the floor to REDUCE THE STIPEND BY 40%, back to the amount of $7,200.  This motion was seconded and passed unanimously with a 5-0 vote and was effective immediately.

I did not run and become elected to the District 2 Board of Fire Commissioners to receive a stipend, and I will not tolerate being accused of personal enrichment at the taxpayer’s expense.

Sincerely,

Commissioner James Quinlisk

Toms River Fire District #2