Alarm Boxes Dismantled

The first signs that the public alarm system for Millburn-Short Hills would be dismantled first popped up last week.

That's when firefighters bagged each of the fire boxes, which were on street corners and in front of public buildings. The system was deactivated on Thursday in preparation for removing the boxes.

And now the 87 boxes have been removed, ending an era for a system that started 67 years ago when they were first installed.

Fire officials intended to remove the boxes by September, but they were ahead of schedule with their plans with all of the boxes removed on Monday and Tuesday.

Fire Chief Michael Roberts said the only work left is for Department of Public Works crews to remove concrete bases and replace them with dirt, especially for boxes that were located on people's front yards.

Each career and volunteer firefighter will be allowed to take one of the fire boxes. The box that was located in front of Town Hall will be donated to the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society. The remainder—which could be as few as 26, depending on whether every firefighter takes one—will be put up to public auction, but no auction has been set.

Roberts, who hasn't picked out which one he wants yet, said he intends to make his box into a lamp.