21 Years Of Exemplary Service

To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Kevin Cragin for his 21 years of leadership as the chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners. The fire service has come a long way in that time, and Kevin has always supported the needs of our volunteer fire departments. He has developed unparalleled respect among town officials which has proven vital in negotiations during budget and CIP times.  As a civilian commissioner he has worked hard to always do what is best for the residents of Newtown and its visitors. In working to improve the fire service in our town, he has been a key figure in many incentives along the years to provide our volunteers with better incentives and compensation for the time and effort they give. These have included the tax abatement, length of service benefits, and park and landfill permits. In an effort to improve safety for our firefighters, he pushed for annual Department of Transportation inspections of all firefighting apparatus and vehicle servicing. Recently he led the way in obtaining new furnaces for four of the six fire stations in town, helping our departments offset the high replacement costs.

Kevin has always had the best interest of all five fire companies and citizens of Newtown in mind when working on budgets, apparatus purchases or regulations pertaining to the fire companies. In losing him, we lose a chairman who led the board with pride in the volunteer fire service and did everything possible to keep a positive image and relation with the residents and other leaders of Newtown. I believe the board has a tough transformation process ahead of it, and I hope the new chairman can continue to lead with the same high level of integrity that Kevin has maintained for 21 years.

Sincerely,

Bill Halstead, Chief

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co.

23 Cherry Street, Sandy Hook                                   October 16, 2012