Fire company members relax by one of their trucks.

Honors residents who give of their time and abilities to serve community 

By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong  

Cold Spring’s mayor and trustees Friday, Jan. 13, offered up platefuls of hot food and warm appreciation to those who keep the village running smoothly, when the village government hosted its annual party for volunteers and staff. The evening event, held at the Cold Spring firehouse, honors residents who give of their time and abilities to serve on village sub-boards, such as the Zoning Board of Appeals or Recreation Commission, but also salutes village employees and friends, such as Philipstown officials, who assist Cold Spring in various ways.

Dinner gets underway.

In a Village Board team effort, Mayor Seth Gallagher presided over the festivities and dispensed drinks, Trustee Charles Hustis assisted with preparation at the food tables, and Trustees Bruce Campbell and J. Ralph Falloon lent hands with other chores.  “The purpose of tonight’s party is to thank all those who help the village out,” Gallagher said in welcoming everyone. “Thank you for your work.” He noted that special guests included Haldane Board of Education member Michael Junjulas; Philipstown Town Board members Dave Merandy and Betty Budney, a Cold Spring resident; Haldane Superintendent Mark Villanti, and County Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, as well as representatives of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Cold Spring Police Department, and Cold Spring Fire Company No. 1, led by President Mike Bowman and Chief Matt Steltz.

The serving line snakes past the food table.

With cold weather looming, he also mentioned the two highway officials who keep roads and streets clear, Philipstown Highway Superintendent Roger Chirico, who lives in the village on Parrott Street, and Cold Spring Highway Supervisor Ed Trimble. He praised Chirico for his strong cooperation and assistance with mutual projects and teased Trimble for so far “doing a great job on snow removal this year!”  The party drew about 70 participants.
Photos by L.S.Armstrong

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Armstrong was the founding news editor of The Current (then known as Philipstown.info) in 2010 and later a senior correspondent and contributing editor for the paper. She worked earlier in Washington as a White House correspondent and national affairs reporter and assistant news editor for daily international news services. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Areas of expertise: Politics and government