Fire Commissioners Elect Officers

The Board of Fire Commissioners, a town agency, has conducted its annal election of officers, reelecting Chairman Kevin Cragin to another one-year term to head the panel. Mr Cragin is a civilian member of the agency.

Commission members held the elections at their annual dinner meeting October 25 at the Italian Pavilion restaurant.

Hawleyville representative Sean LaPak was reelected vice chairman. Other board members are Mike Wlasuk of Dodgingtown, Jeff Nezvesky of Botsford, Road Mauro of Newtown Hook and Ladder, and B.J. Halstead of Sandy Hook. Lisa Goosman is a civilian representative. Terry Hennessey is the board’s secretary.

Board members also reappointed Fire Marshal George Lockwood to a one-year term. Renamed to one-year terms as deputy fire marshals were Joseph Cavanaugh, Bill Halstead and Henry Stormer. The board reappointed Scott Lee as fire inspector and also reappointed David Hardt as special deputy fire marshal for Garner Correctional Institution.

Board members are responsible for the financial management of the town’s five volunteer fire companies, as well as overseeing town fire apparatus.

Newtown’s famous Castle Ronald sat atop what would become known as Castle Hill from 1888 until it was torn down in 1947. It was built by Peter Lorillard Ronald, a New York-based world traveler and millionaire.