New Jersey-2014-S3041-Introduced

An Act designating the portion of State Highway 184 in Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County as the "Bruce Turcotte Memorial Highway."

Whereas, Bruce Turcotte, a resident of Fords, New Jersey, was born in Newark, New Jersey; and

Whereas, Ever active in his community, he served as a communicant at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Fords, New Jersey and as a volunteer firefighter; and

Whereas, Bruce Turcotte joined the Hopelawn Engine Company #1 in February of 1973 when he was only 20 years old and he quickly rose through the ranks of the fire department, becoming the fire chief in 1983; and

Whereas, During his tenure with the fire company, he served in many positions, including president, company chaplain, and historian; and

Whereas, Bruce Turcotte also served in many roles outside of the fire company; and

Whereas, He was a life member of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association, an Executive Board member of the Woodbridge Township Fire Officers Association, was the Woodbridge Township Mutual Aid Fire Coordinator, and the secretary of the United Firemen's Relief Association of Fords, Keasbey, and Hopelawn; and

Whereas, On January 19‚ 2012‚ Bruce Turcotte responded with his son Brian‚ Hopelawn's Assistant Fire Chief‚ and the rest of their crew to a house fire where he was assigned to the rapid intervention crew at the scene; and

Whereas, It was during that deployment that Bruce Turcotte was found unresponsive behind the wheel of Hopelawn's rescue truck after suffering a fatal heart attack; and

Whereas, Bruce Turcotte is remembered as a cherished husband, loving father, and dedicated firefighter who gave his life trying to help others; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper that the State of New Jersey recognize and honor the life and service of Bruce Turcotte by designating State Highway 184 in Woodbridge Township as the "Bruce Turcotte Memorial Highway"; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of State Highway 184 in Woodbridge Township as the "Bruce Turcotte Memorial Highway," and erect appropriate signs bearing this name.

2. No State or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental, non-profit, educational or charitable entities or institutions. No work shall proceed, and no funding shall be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates the portion of State Highway 184 in Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County as the "Bruce Turcotte Memorial Highway." Bruce Turcotte was born in Newark, New Jersey and lived most of his adult life in Fords, New Jersey. He was a member of the Hopelawn Engine Company #1 for over 38 years, rising to the rank of fire chief in 1983.

On January 19‚ 2012‚ Bruce Turcotte responded to a house fire where he was assigned to the rapid intervention crew at the scene. It was during that deployment that Bruce Turcotte was found unresponsive behind the wheel of Hopelawn's rescue truck after suffering a fatal heart attack. Bruce Turcotte is remembered as a cherished husband, loving father, and dedicated firefighter who gave his life trying to help others.

This bill provides that no State funds may be used for producing,

purchasing, or erecting the signs bearing the new designation. The Department of Transportation is authorized to receive private funds for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.