Department Recognizes Volunteers with Dinner

MILLERTON — Firefighters and emergency medical technicians who regularly save lives were honored last Friday night at the Interlaken Inn in Lakeville at the Millerton Fire Department’s annual dinner.

"Thank you all for coming. It’s been a hard day," said President Lennie Morrisoin, referring to a fire on Skunk’s Misery Road in Pine Plains that took nearly five hours to extinguish. "So let’s sit back, relax and enjoy life."

At the presentation of service awards, Morrison thanked the 100 or so people in attendance and said he was going to start the awards ceremony with a roast of Millerton Fire Chief Keith Roger.

"But he’s sick, so I’ll take it easy on him," he chuckled.

Municipal leaders and fellow firemen, such as Millerton Mayor Michael Cawley and his wife, Diane, and Amenia Fire Company First Lieutenant Andy Murphy and his wife, Stephanie, were recognized.

"Tom McGhee, thanks for all your help," Morrison said to Pine Plains’ chief, again referring to that morning’s blaze.

The Millerton Fire Department answered 380 calls last year and put in 7,252 hours of service.

Robert Snyder was recognized for spending 182 hours answering calls and training.

Miranda Murphy was right behind him with 164 hours and Jim Milton was third with 152 hours.

Wassaic Fire Chief Robert Boyles Jr. was recognized for his unwavering willingness to help his "brothers"’ in Millerton.

Boyles urged his colleagues to vote for the firemen’s tax exemption on March 14 in Poughkeepsie.

"Come out and vote. We’re really lobbying for you. We’ll try to get you a tax break, each and every one of you that came out here," the Wassaic Chief said, also urging his colleagues to visit www.firemensexempt.org.

Members of the Millerton Rescue Squad were recognized.

Captain Mark McAvoy answered the most calls with 96.

"I know we don’t have an EMT of the Year award, but Mark deserves it," Morrison said. "We appreciate you guys and I think the community does, too."

On the fire side, Billy Watson answered 226 calls, and Bernie Silvernail and David Van De Bogart tied at second place with 111 calls.

Five-year service pins were awarded to Jon Walsh, Nancy Ellis and Josh Schultz; 10-year pins to Keith Roger, Amy Slater, Nick Slater and Bob Snyder; Patti Lynch and Robert Stevens were recognized for 15 years of service to the department.

One 20-year pin was awarded to David Van De Bogart.

Members of the Millerton Fire Commission were given official Millerton Fire Department license plates.

The "Firefighter of the Year" award was given posthumously to Hector "Sandy" McClune, a 40-year department veteran who died while fighting a fire late last November.

A plaque and a letter were given to McClune’s wife, Nan, by Dutchess County Emergency Response Coordinator DeWitt Sagendorph.

"You have lost a world," he read. "I present this to you to acknowledge his service and honor."

"Thank you," Nan McClune said softly.