Millwood Fire Company Annual Inspection - Tribute to 50 Year Veteran Neil Gollogly
May 16, 2008
by Gene Nadel
Residents of the Millwood Fire District and the Board of Fire Commissioners ("BOFC") will convene in the Assembly Room at New Castle Town Hall at 7:30 this Monday, May 19th to hear the anxiously awaited Needs Assessment Study report by Fire Consultant John Nickerson of JLN Associates. For anyone unable to attend in person, the meeting will be carried live by NCCTV - Channel 78, and will be rebroadcast on subsequent days at times to be announced.
The objective of the study is to review the District’s current firematic organization, identify any present failures or shortcomings and project both short and long term future needs with recommendations for any current and future actions. The public is particularly interested in the consultant’s comments with regard to the need and minimum requirements for a new structure to replace Fire Station #1 in downtown Millwood.
Anthony Olenik, BOFC Chairman, expects that Mr. Nickerson’s initial presentation will probably run for perhaps a half hour, following which the consultant will hold an open question period. While timing will be flexible depending on how things develop, Mr Olenick suggests that after an hour or so of responses and discussion, it will probably be beneficial to temporarily adjourn that portion of the meeting in order to permit both the BOFC and the public to absorb the essence of the report and consider its ramifications. These are all to be further discussed in a subsequent public meeting with the consultant sometime within the next two to three weeks.
Monday’s meeting, which is a regular monthly meeting of the BOFC would then continue in the Assembly Room (it would not adjourn to Fire Station #2 as previously thought) with a period for public comment followed by the usual routine monthly business session, reports, etc. all open to the public.
In preparing the report, JLN Associates distributed a 22 page questionnaire to any interested parties and the public at large. JLN met with at least 30 individuals and/or groups including Town, Fire District and Fire Company officials as well as interviews with other interested parties. Interesting to note, just as members of the community were impressed with the consultant’s apparent competence and professionalism, Mr. Nickerson was impressed by the sincere interest and genuine concern of the people interviewed, an community attitude which he found “refreshing”. All to the good, now let’s hope the public will find the report similarly “refreshing”.
Millwood Fire Company Annual Inspection - Tribute to 50 Year Veteran Neil Gollogly
A colorful event is scheduled for 6:30 this evening when the Millwood Fire Company holds its annual inspection at Fire Station #1 in downtown Millwood. The formal ceremony is attended by County and local dignitaries as well as visiting chiefs from other fire companies who participate in the formal inspection of the company and its equipment. The public is welcome to observe the impressive rituals. After the formalities, the members of the Company and their guests will adjourn to Travelers Rest for a celebratory dinner and further activities.
A very special part of this year’s occasion is a planned tribute to veteran Fire company member Neil Gollogoly, who this year celebrates his 50th year of service with the Millwood Fire Company. During this span he has served in a variety of posts from Commissioner on down. His outstanding service is scheduled to be recognized at the affair and a full account will be described in next week’s column.
Meanwhile sincere thanks to Neil from a grateful community to an outstanding citizen/volunteer!
In Memoriam - Pat Beldotti
We regret to report the recent passing of Millwood resident, Pasquale “Pat” Beldotti. A native of Ossining, Pat lived in New Castle since 1970. He was an accomplished real estate developer, builder and entrepreneur and was the founder and chairman of PJ Beldotti Management, a real estate construction, management and consulting firm in Ossining. He had numerous professional and civic affiliations including service as a member of the New Castle Tax Assessment Review Board.
Pat is survived by his three children, Patricia Beldotti (Matt), Michael Beldotti (Yvonne) and Alexander Beldotti (Paulette); two grandchildren, Ryan Faykes and Sophia Beldotti; and his siblings, Carolyn DiVico, Virginia Cianci and Anthony Beldotti.
Our sincere sympathy to the family.
News of Particular Interest to New Castle Residents in the Ossining School District
NewCastleNOW and Millwood Matters is dedicated to covering items of interest to all members of our Town. Elsewhere in this edition is information regarding budget votes and contested School and Library elections in the Chappaqua School District. In the case of the Ossining elections, we will “cop out” this year since there do not appear to be any contests. As far as the Ossining budgets are concerned, while the increases in the total Ossining School and Library budgets appear acceptable, tragically, the increases in the amounts paid by the New Castle residents clearly appear to be grossly inequitable, reflecting percentage increases double that of the Ossining residents.
In response to comments and suggestions from readers, we will attempt to do a better job of monitoring and reporting on developments on this topic in the future. Incidentally, for this purpose and with respect to any items deemed newsworthy, contributions and ideas from readers are always welcome. Write me at .
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