by David Flint
The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Installation Dinner on Saturday, January 9 and installed a new Fire Chief and a new President. [private]
Outgoing Chief Francis Joseph Zwack III, better known as “Joey”, received a fireman’s plaque from the Department and the personal congratulations and thanks from Battalion 5-0 Commander Cyril Grant for having done “an outstanding job” in his five years as Chief. Incoming Fire Chief Jonathan Angley pledged to “uphold the honor and integrity of this department to the best of my ability and be receptive to all the members’ ideas by maintaining an open door policy.”
Henry Zwack, who takes over the Presidency from Chris Headley, gave as the goal for 2016 to ensure that the Department has the resources, the time and the opportunity to continue to grow as a department. He spoke of a lot of challenges including the aging of most members and the scarceness of younger members such as the new Chief. “We must continue to encourage, support and grow our new members,” he said. “We will do all we can to make sure that (Jon’s) term is successful and safe with the goal that five years from now, you will leave this Department stronger, bigger, better and happier.”
County EMS Coordinator Amy Manchester, filling the role of MC this year, introduced guests who included: Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo, Public Safety Director Kelly Paslow, County Fire Investigator Jack Curran, Battalion 5-0 Commander Cyril Grant, Deputy EMS Zone Coordinator Rose Metchick and Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt. Representatives of neighboring fire and ambulance departments included Chief Stanley Pettibone and Ambulance Captain Tammy Osterhout from Berlin, Ambulance Captain Andrea Chittenden from Petersburgh, Assistant Chief Joe Crandall and Ambulance Captain Mitch Levinn from Hoags Corners and Assistant Chief Greg Gilliland from New Lebanon.
Active Service Awards went to Ken Bink for 5 Years; Julie Joyner for 10 Years; Doug Rontey for 15 years; Tammy Whitman for 20 Years; Tammy Madden and Steve Whitman for 30 years, Donald Hoffman for 35 years; John Close for 45 years; Lew Sharp for 50 years. And last but not least, Charlie Hoffman received a standing ovation as he received his award for 60 years of service.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by DJ Matt Shaw and stand-up comedians Pat DaBiere and Mike Gregg. The dinner was served by Cariddi Catering. Appreciation of the Department was expressed to Richard Beckwith of Hilton Pork who donated meat for the Dinner, to David Kilventon for donation of produce and to Lorri Parisi who designed and provided the beautiful flower arrangements on the tables.
The following officers were sworn in by Cyril Grant, Stephentown Town Justice and Battalion 5-0 Coordinator:
Chief – Jonathan Angley
Assistant Chief – Fire – Rowland McClave III
Assistant Chief – EMS – Lynda Lewis
Captain-Fire – Bryan Barnum
Captain-EMS – Patti Goodermote
Lieutenant-Fire – Stephen Whitman
Lieutenant-EMS – Julie Joyner
Safety Officer – Charles Riccardi
President – Henry Zwack
Vice President – Tammy Madden
Secretary – Tammy Whitman
Treasurer – William Jennings
Director – Alexander Haley
Director – Robert Adler
Director – Frank Zwack, Sr.
Director – Charles Hoffman
Director – Christopher Headley
Fire District #1 Officers
Commissioner – Richard Burgess
Commissioner – Doug Griswold
Commissioner – Lewis Sharp
Commissioner – Frank Zwack, Sr.
Commissioner – John Linton
Treasurer – Andrew Maguire
Secretary – Patricia Goodermote[/private]