LEONIA, N.J. — Two days after the sudden suspension of a volunteer fire department, borough officials decided Wednesday evening to reopen the firehouse for firefighters to resume responding to emergencies.
North Jersey.com reported that the department opened at 8 a.m. Thursday and only firefighters will be allowed at the firehouse.
The fire department was ordered shut at noon Monday while investigators looked into allegations that a developmentally disabled teenager had molested a 3-year-old boy last week, according to the report. Fire departments from neighboring communities provided coverage through mutual-aid agreements.
The allegations that resulted in the suspension involve 18-year-old Darius Levine, who was arrested on a sexual assault charge and is being held in a psychiatric hospital, according to the report. Levine is not a member of the fire department.
“The Leonia Fire Committee met this afternoon and has agreed to reopen the Leonia Fire Headquarters for fire-related responses and associated duties,” the statement said.
Firefighters will be allowed in the station to respond to emergencies or to maintain equipment to answer calls, officials said.
The decision to suspend the entire department was loudly criticized by residents as an overreaction that jeopardized public safety, according to the report. One of the most outspoken critics of the fire department closure was Maureen Haylusch, the fire chief’s cousin, who started a Facebook page supporting the suspended firefighters.
“I think this is an excellent start,” Haylusch said. “I think everyone came to a reasonable conclusion. They can have a dialogue and we can be protected.”
Fire Committee member Greg Makroulakis would not say if public outcry influenced the committee’s decision, according to the report.
“We looked to make a decision for what’s best for the borough and for the residents of the borough,” he said. “I’m happy that the Fire Department is back open.”
The firefighters’ attorney, Paul Kaufman, had threatened legal action and said he hoped to meet with borough officials today, according to the report. Kaufman said he plans to use the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the minutes from the meeting where officials decided to close the fire department.
Makroulakis said the committee is awaiting a report from the prosecutor’s office on the criminal investigation into the alleged sexual assault, and will decide then if any changes need to be made in the department’s policies, according to the report.