The former South Jersey fire commissioner was elected to a new term a week after the state cited him for a conflict of interest.
HARRISON TWP. -- A candidate for the township fire commission who was recently issued a notice of violation regarding his previous service on the commission was elected to a new term Saturday.
Larry Crane was the lone candidate for the open seat and received 122 votes.
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs issued a notice of violation Feb. 11, stating that Crane served as both a paid EMT and an elected fire district commissioner for Harrison Township Fire District No. 1 in 2011 and 2012.
The DCA termed this a conflict that could "reasonably be expected to prejudice his independence of judgment" in his elected position.
Crane no longer serves as a township EMT. Harrison joined the Gloucester County EMS a few years ago. Prior to that, the township fire commission oversaw local EMTs and firefighters.
The DCA also found that while later serving as a volunteer EMT in 2013, Crane improperly voted in favor of a resolution authorizing pay hikes for fellow EMT employees.
Crane maintained in an interview last week that he had done nothing wrong and had recused himself from votes involving EMTs while he worked as a paid EMT for the township.
Crane has the option to appeal the finding or pay a $100 fine.
As of last week, he had not decided if he would contest the finding.
As for the rest of the Harrison Township Fire District vote from Saturday, the district's budget was approved 110-27 and a separate question on repairs to the Ewan Fire Department parking lot was approved 111-24.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.