The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton Fire Department Celebrates 70 Years

By

by Bea Peterson

On Saturday evening, May 17, the Grafton Fire Department held its 70th Annual Installation Banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy. There was a huge turnout for the event, which included dinner, presentations and dancing. Fire Chief Jim Goyer welcomed everyone with thanks and an Invocation. Pastor Jason White of the Grafton Baptist Church gave the Benediction. Music was by the Cool Cat DJ Services.

[private]Guests attending the Anniversary Celebration were Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager, Battalion 5-0 Coordinator Cyril Grant, County Fire Car 2 Bill Gummer and members of the Petersburgh, Berlin, Eagle Mills, Poestenkill and Raymertown Fire Companies, the Grafton Rescue Squad, Grafton Town Supervisor Frank Higgins, Grafton Town Board Member Barbara Messenger and Tom and Lynn Forster from Grafton’s Town Store.

Second Assistant Chief Jay Goyer presented the Fire Department awards and Auxiliary President Noelle Goyer presented the Auxiliary awards and acknowledgements. Officers were installed by Cyril Grant.

Fire Department and Auxiliary Officers 

• Fire Department  – Chief James Goyer, First Assistant Chief Richard Goyer, Second Assistant Chief Jay Goyer, Captain Tyler Baldwin, Lieutenant Rich Reger, President Justin Levsha, Vice-President Duane Rifenburg, Secretary Tyler Baldwin and Treasurer Rich Reger.

• Fire Commissioners – Sandy Hasbrouck, William Keenan, Jeff Paine, Duane Rifenburg and Mike Smith.

• Auxiliary – President Noelle Goyer, Vice-President Brenda Insero, Secretary Stacy Reinhard, Treasurer Erika Sausville.

Years Of Service

Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino presented Grafton Fire Chief Jim Goyer with a certificate from the County in honor of the Department’s 70th Anniversary. Goyer was recognized by the Department for 45 years of service. (Bea Peterson photo)
Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino presented Grafton Fire Chief Jim Goyer with a certificate from the County in honor of the Department’s 70th Anniversary. Goyer was recognized by the Department for 45 years of service. (Bea Peterson photo)

Recognized for years of service were James Goyer with 45 years in the Department, Jay Goyer, 20 years, Tyler Baldwin 5 years and Duane Rifenburg one year. Auxiliary recognitions went to Samantha Crandall for 15 years, Jessica Crandall 10 years and Noelle Goyer, Erika Sausville, Brenda Insero and Stacy Reinhard for 5 years.

Recognized as Firefighters of the Year were (l-r) Justin Levsha, Duane Rifenburg and Tyler Baldwin. (Bea Peterson photo)
Recognized as Firefighters of the Year were (l-r) Justin Levsha, Duane Rifenburg and Tyler Baldwin. (Bea Peterson photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rensselaer County Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager was one of the guests at the Grafton Fire Department's 70th Anniversary Installation Banquet. (Bea Peterson photo)
Rensselaer County Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager was one of the guests at the Grafton Fire Department’s 70th Anniversary Installation Banquet. (Bea Peterson photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Grafton Fire Department and Auxiliary were sworn in at the 70th Annual Installation Banquet Saturday evening by Battalion 5-0 Coordinator Cyril Grant. The event was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy. (Bea Peterson photo)
Members of the Grafton Fire Department and Auxiliary were sworn in at the 70th Annual Installation Banquet Saturday evening by Battalion 5-0 Coordinator Cyril Grant. The event was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy. (Bea Peterson photo)

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