Fair Haven Borough Council Reorganizes on New Year's Day

Fair Haven's government kicked off the New Year Sunday with blessings, appointments and laughter at the newly restored Bicentennial Hall on Cedar Avenue.

Borough Council chose the location for the annual reorganization meeting, a ceremonial affair more than a business meeting, to highlight the progress of the historical renovation of the former Fisk Chapel, which has been years in the making.

On the unseasonably warm and bright day, sun streamed through the new stained glass windows still tagged with work permits. The freshly sheet rocked walls, with their still exposed joints, are evidence of the work still ahead for this building, which is on the national registry of historic places.

"I didn't think I'd see this in my lifetime," said Pat Drummond, a member of the , which has been instrumental in the funding of the project. Mayor Michael Halfacre recognized Drummond and the group's efforts at the public meeting.

Halfacre told the standing room only crowd that when he walked into the hall, the sight of all that had been accomplished, "brought tears to my eyes."

Reverend Thomas Johnson of , which was , led the group in prayer with a reading from Ecclesiastes. Jacquelyn Johnson led the church choir in singing "America the Beautiful" and "The Solid Rock."

The highlight for many at the annual meeting is the swearing in of new volunteers and elected officials, where volunteers can don their uniforms and family members can join in the ceremony.

first aid and fire volunteer and , was sworn in as fire chief. The audience greeted his new appointment with rounding applause, whistles and cheers. 

Also sworn in were:

• Deputy Chief Derek DeBree
• First Assistant Chief Daniel J. Kane
• Second Assistant Chief Scott Eskwitt

The borough also recognized the new first aid squad line officers:

• Captain Bob Krueger
• First Lieutenant Trudy Wojciehowski
• Second Lieutenant Pat Corbett

The council also recognized:

• Fire police Captain Andrew Schrank
• Auxillary President Beverly Davis
• John Felsmann, Robert Frank and William Heath of the water rescue and dive team

This year, the borough council added two new members, James Koch and Susan Sorensen, who were elected to three-year terms and sworn in Sunday. The council elected Jonathon Peters as its president. Outgoing Councilman James Banahan was also recognized for his service to the town with a proclamation.

The mayor led the meeting with a jovial tone, congratulating all the volunteers and elected officials and honoring former council members and mayors among the audience. Reorganization meetings are sometimes marked by dry ceremony, but Halfacre's sense of humor kept the packed house laughing.

During her swearing in, Sorensen corrected the mayor when he accidentally called her councilman.

"Councilwoman," she said. To which Halfacre turned to the audience and, with a deadpan delivery, said, "And so it begins."

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