The Hackensack City Council has voted to reject a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that would pay to hire 12 new firefighters.
The grant would pay the salaries and benefits for the firefighters, but only for three years. After that, the costs would fall to city taxpayers. City councilors say the cost of maintaining those 12 additional positions is more than the city can afford, PIX 11 reports.
The city says it approved applying for funds to support five new positions, but the application seeking 12 positions was submitted in error. The city will attempt to submit a revised application for the five positions it supported.
The decision to reject the money prompted a protest by firefighters and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer on Monday, arguing that the city needs the added firefighters and the grant will just help it get staffing up to a needed level.
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