The Marlborough Fire Department recently held their annual Installation Dinner at Shadows on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie. Chief Mike Troncillito welcomed everyone to the dinner.

“As the rate of calls expand each year by at least 20%, we are spending more time away from our families and your support means a lot to the district and the community as a whole. Thank you,” he said.

After highlighting a list of honored guests, Chief Troncillito took a moment to remember their late lifetime member Jim Tenhagen. His son James and his family were in attendance at the dinner.

Tenhagen was born on May 14, 1936 in Walden and passed away on March 28, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was a Custodial Engineer for the United States Postal Service in Newburgh for 35 years. He also retired from the Ford Motor Plant in Mahwah, NJ, where he worked for more than 20 years. James was also a volunteer at TOMVAC and was a Veteran of the United States Army.

As the award ceremony got underway, NYS Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson presented NYS Citations for years of service to Robert Troncillito for 60 years, Peter Carofano for 50 years and Anthony Kraiza for 64 years.

“You’re a special breed, you don’t get paid, people don’t come up to you and say you are a great person and you save the town a whole lot of money. It’s not appreciated enough; you run to the fire and not away,” he said. “Thank you for your many years of service to the town.”

Ulster County Legislator Tom Corcoran presented these three long serving members with a Proclamation from Ulster County to honor their dedicated service to the community.

“Tonight is your night and it is not a night of speeches from politicians, but I want to thank you all for the service you do. When I get called out to a fire at the end of it [as Marlborough Building Inspector] you have already taken care of all the dangerous stuff and I appreciate that,” he said. “I see you at calls and know that you are sympathetic to our residents because we are all friends and we are all family in this district. I have much appreciation and respect for what you do. Thank you for taking care of our residents.”

Supervisor Scott Corcoran said these three individuals have done a lot to protect the citizens of the Town of Marlborough.

“It doesn’t go unnoticed by myself and our Town Board. We recognize that you volunteer and sacrifice many hours away from your families to do what you do to serve our community,” he said.

Corcoran presented each of these three men with Pride of Marlborough commendations.

Chief Troncillito said he has watched past chief Erick Masten, “grow as an officer and as a friend and it was heartwarming and sincere to see your accomplishments. In your 7 years as Chief, you have successfully overseen 3 new chief’s cars, 2 major pieces of apparatus, new Scott air packs, 4 Best Overall in the county and 1 Best Overall out of county, not to mention the covid era where you excelled in zoom drills. Myself and the rest of the members are better because of you. Thank you.”

After the awards were given out and dinner and desert was over, people took to dancing across the floor.