🚒 Fire Council
Chris Colombo Sworn In as Fire Chief at January Annual Meeting
The Croton Fire Council accepted the chief election results at its January 6, 2026 annual meeting. Mayor Pugh swore in Chief Chris Colombo and Assistant Chiefs Chris Caterino and Joseph Streany as officials thanked outgoing Chief Phil Dinkler.
How this was made — Minutes report
◯ Written meeting record
◯ Minutes on file — cross-check pending
◯ AI review is not human approval
An AI-assisted report based on the official meeting record identified with the article.
Published under the editorial responsibility of
Matthew Broudy,
who is accountable for every article on this site.
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Accepted the election results for Chief Chris Colombo, Chris Caterino as first assistant chief and Joseph Streany as second assistant chief.
●
Mayor Pugh swore in the new chiefs and other department officers.
●
Recorded nominations of John Delaney for council secretary and Phil Dinkler for council treasurer.
Chris Colombo was sworn in as chief of the Croton Fire Department at the Fire Council's January 6, 2026 annual meeting, along with Chris Caterino as first assistant chief and Joseph Streany as second assistant chief. Village officials and department members thanked outgoing Chief Phil Dinkler for the past year's service.
This article is written solely from the meeting's official minutes; croton.news had no reporter present.
The council accepted the chief election results after they were read at the meeting. Brian Powers made the motion and Streany seconded. The minutes record that the motion carried without giving a vote count.
Mayor Pugh administered the oaths to the chiefs and other department officers. Dinkler was among those sworn in as deputy chiefs. The council also recorded nominations of John Delaney for council secretary and Dinkler for council treasurer.
In outgoing remarks, Dinkler thanked department members for their support and credited cooperation for a good year. Dinkler wished the three incoming chiefs well.
Pugh thanked first responders for responding to calls and for their work behind the scenes. The mayor also recognized Dinkler's EMS response work during the year as chief.
Trustee Nora Nicholson thanked the incoming chiefs and acknowledged the sacrifices made by first responders' families. Trustee Stacey Nachtaler thanked Dinkler and described public safety as the village's top goal. Village Manager Bryan Healy congratulated the chiefs and said work with Dinkler would continue through EMS.
Colombo thanked the department's members and families for their support, acknowledged three former chiefs from Ossining who attended, and emphasized cooperation with the village board, manager and mayor.
Caterino said the past two years had brought learning and enjoyment, described the department as being on a good track and looked forward to working with Streany. Streany thanked those who attended and noted extensive family involvement in the department.
Dinkler called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. It adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Coverage of the Fire Council meeting on 2026-01-06, Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY. View original document ↗
Written by Matthew Broudy, publisher & responsible editor, croton.news. Read our editorial policy.
Related Fire Council Meetings
Fire Council advances Engine 119 purchase; one lane to stay open during Half Moon Bay bridge repairs
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Engine 119 replacement specs and pricing ready for the village manager, with builder meetings pending
●
Ladder 44 tower ladder still on track for 2027 delivery
●
Village approves Fire Department Big Bucks raffle; tickets expected soon
●
Village letter to MTA requests meeting on fire- and EMS-side issues
●
Two membership status changes approved; $100 Sleepy Hollow journal ad authorized
●
Bylaw 7.1.5 amendment set for February vote; council budget due at February meeting
December Fire Council Reviews Truck Plans, Backs Dinner Dance for Former Chiefs
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Agreed to begin planning a dinner dance honoring former chiefs P. Dinkler and Josh Karpoff.
●
Heard a December update that the new Ladder 44 was still on track for delivery in 2027 and that specifications for the new Engine 119 had been completed and sent back.
●
Received a report that the permission process for the Big Bucks raffle had begun.
●
Accepted a treasurer's report showing $19,459.30 in the account.
●
Approved the November meeting minutes with one correction.
Engine 119 replacement specs head to Village Board as Mayor Pugh asks fire department for Albany priorities
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Engine 119 replacement truck committee completed specifications; chiefs to meet the Village Board Wednesday night
●
Mayor Pugh asked the chiefs for recommendations the Village Board can take to the state legislature on the department's behalf
●
Frank Pusatere named department caretaker; Brian Powers takes over as by-law committee chairman
●
Council voted that only the three chiefs may speak with the department's new attorney
●
John Delaney approved as a mutual aid member of the Verplanck Fire Department
Fire Council Rejects Uncertified Nominee, Approves 22 Officers
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Resolutions Passed
●
Approval of 2026 officer slate (22 nominees): Motion by J. Gilbert/2nd J. Streany — Carried
●
Approval of John Gilbert for Chemical Eng. Capt. via course substitution (UTV operator course for missing Class #2): Motion by J. Delaney/2nd J. Munson — Carried
●
Approval of Dave Altamura for Chemical Eng. 1st Lt. via FDNY bailout substitution (approved on a year-by-year basis): Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Delaney — Carried
●
Acceptance of Ryan Howles' change from active to social membership: Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
●
Approval of Fire Patrol #1's Breakfast with Santa fundraiser (Dec. 14, 9 a.m.–Noon), pending village approval: Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
●
Approval of Hook & Ladder school leave requests for Daniel Markic, Christian Gaona, and Charlotte Gilbert: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
●
Dropping 9 members from Hook & Ladder rolls due to inactivity (Eneo Decka, Benjamin Leuig, Jack Becker, Owen Mintzer, Eric Min, Thomas Kelley, Alden Hou, Jack Fahey, Giorgio Giorcelli, Stefano Giorcelli): Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
●
Purchase of 5 FASNY raffle tickets at $5 each: Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert — Carried
●
Bill payment of $43.45 to Chris Caterino for inspection tablecloths: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Streany — Carried
●
Reimbursement of $300 to P. Dinkler for top responder gift cards: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Streany — Carried
●
Acceptance of $100 donation from a Batten Rd family sent to Fire Patrol: Motion by T. Kaplan/2nd J. Munson — Carried
●
Acceptance of August & September meeting minutes: Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Streany — Carried
●
Acceptance of Treasurer's Report ($19,691.15 balance): Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Delaney — Carried
●
Delegation of attendance enforcement for one member in violation to the chiefs, with required appearance at the November meeting: Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Karpoff — Carried
●
Resolutions Failed
●
Nomination of Justin Cusano for Columbia H&L 2nd Lieutenant — Motion to reject by J. Munson/2nd J. Streany — Carried (6 in favor, 2 against, 3 abstained)
●
Applications Reviewed
●
None (Planning Board/ZBA items not present)
●
Public Comments
●
No formal public comments; attendance included Mayor B. Pugh, Village Manager B. Healy, and Deputy Mayor L. Simon
●
Reports
●
Mayor Pugh: Announced November housing lottery for apartments at 25 S. Riverside Ave
●
Village Manager Healy: No Parking signs going up on Benedict Blvd across from Harmon by next Monday; hydrant near Washington Engine ramp to be piped in the future (not during current parking lot work); EMS building construction behind Harmon Firehouse progressing well; Village Board will honor top responders; department website transitioning from .org to .gov per state requirements
●
P. Dinkler (Chief): Presented top responder gift cards; thanked members for inspection turnout and fire fair success
●
C. Colombo (1st Asst. Chief): Confirmed house sirens will not be used per prior vote; noted EMS building and Washington work progressing well; reported recurring water leak behind Ladder 44 truck
●
C. Caterino (2nd Asst. Chief): Reminded members to check in on each other heading into the holidays; announced upcoming new member training
●
By-Law Committee (J. Streany): Bylaw 7.1.5 (membership classes) reformatted and distributed to companies for review; targeted vote at next council meeting; requested company secretaries be added to minutes distribution
●
Investigative Committee (J. Karpoff): Presented full 2026 slate review; 19 nominees fully qualified; 3 had issues (Gilbert and Altamura approved with substitutions; Cusano rejected for missing CPR, bailout, NIMS ICS-200, and Fire Officer 1 requirements)
●
Fire Prevention: Thanked Fire Fair volunteers; thank-you letter to be sent to Shoprite
●
Unfinished Business: 503(c) fundraising status nearly resolved; one member's attendance violation being handled by chiefs
●
New Business: J. Munson announced he will no longer handle fleet, radios, or pagers at year's end
Engine 119 price tag heads to the village manager; Big Bucks raffle cleared to launch
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Engine 119 committee ready to present final specs and a price to the village manager, with two dates available to finalize specs with the builder
●
Village approved the department's Big Bucks raffle; tickets expected soon
●
Engine 120 approved to march in Peekskill's March 14 and Buchanan's March 15 St. Patrick's Day parades
●
Council approved a $100 quarter-page ad in the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department journal
●
Membership changes approved: a Harmon Engine member to the social list pending return of department property; a Columbian Hook & Ladder member to life-administrative status
●
Bylaw 7.1.5 amendment and a Fire Council budget both slated for the February meeting
Fire Council rejects nominee, approves 2026 slate
▶ Key Actions & Decisions
●
Resolutions Passed
●
Approved 2026 officer slate for 21 nominated positions (Motion by J. Gilbert/2nd J. Streany - Carried)
●
Approved substitution of UTV operator course for John Gilbert's missing Class #2 requirement, with stipulation he complete required classes before 2027 (Motion by J. Delaney/2nd J. Munson - Carried)
●
Approved year-by-year substitution of FDNY bailout training for Dave Altamura, with noted NYS PESH risk (Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Delaney - Carried)
●
Approved Ryan Howles' transition from active to social membership due to moving out of state (Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert - Carried)
●
Approved Fire Patrol #1's Breakfast with Santa fundraiser for Dec. 14, 9am-noon, pending village approval (Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert - Carried)
●
Approved Hook & Ladder school leave requests for Daniel Markic, Christian Gaona, and Charlotte Gilbert (Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Gilbert - Carried)
●
Approved dropping 10 members from Hook & Ladder rolls for inactivity: Eneo Decka, Benjamin Leuig, Jack Becker, Owen Mintzer, Eric Min, Thomas Kelley, Alden Hou, Jack Fahey, Giorgio Giorcelli, and Stefano Giorcelli (Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Gilbert - Carried)
●
Approved purchase of 5 FASNY museum raffle tickets at $5 each (Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Gilbert - Carried)
●
Approved $43.45 reimbursement to Chris Caterino for tablecloths (Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Streany - Carried)
●
Approved $300 reimbursement to P. Dinkler for top responder gift cards (Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Streany - Carried)
●
Accepted $100 donation from a Batten Rd family sent to Fire Patrol (Motion by T. Kaplan/2nd J. Munson - Carried)
●
Approved August and September meeting minutes (Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Streany - Carried)
●
Accepted treasurer's report showing $19,691.15 in department accounts (Motion by J. Streany/2nd J. Delaney - Carried)
●
Deferred handling of one member's attendance violation to department chiefs, with required appearance at November meeting (Motion by D. Vlad/2nd J. Karpoff - Carried)
●
Resolutions Failed
●
Nomination of Justin Cusano for Columbia H&L 2nd Lieutenant — NOT qualified due to missing CPR/First Aid, bailout training, NIMS ICS-200, and Fire Officer 1 requirements (Motion by J. Munson/2nd J. Streany - Carried: 6 in favor of disqualification, 2 against, 3 abstained)
●
Applications Reviewed
●
None (Planning Board/ZBA items not present)
●
Public Comments
●
No formal public comments; attendance included Mayor B. Pugh, Village Manager B. Healy, and Deputy Mayor L. Simon
●
Reports
●
Mayor Pugh: Announced November housing lottery for apartments at 25 S. Riverside Ave
●
Deputy Mayor Simon: Echoed mayor's remarks
●
Village Manager Healy: NO PARKING signs going up on Benedict Blvd across from Harmon by next Monday; hydrant discussion with Washington Engine deferred to after parking lot work; EMS building construction at back of Harmon Firehouse progressing well; Village Board will honor top responders; department website transitioning from .org to .gov per state requirements
●
Chief Dinkler: Presented top responder gift cards; thanked members for fire fair turnout and school visits
●
Asst. Chief Colombo: Confirmed house sirens voted out of use due to most responders living out of town; noted water leak behind ladder truck (recurring issue); EMS building and Washington work progressing
●
Asst. Chief Caterino: Urged members to check in on each other heading into holidays; announced upcoming new member training
●
Investigative Committee (J. Karpoff): Presented full 2026 slate review; 21 nominees fully qualified, 3 had issues (Gilbert, Altamura, Cusano)
●
By-Laws Committee (J. Streany): Revised Bylaw 7.1.5 (membership classes) reformatted and distributed to companies for vote at next meeting
●
Fire Prevention: Thanked contributors to fire fair; thank-you letter to ShopRite forthcoming
●
Fleet/Radios (J. Munson): Announced he will stop handling fleet, radios, and pagers at year's end
●
Unfinished Business: 503(c) fundraising status nearly resolved; defensive driving course posting discrepancy clarified as interest-gauging, not mandatory
Community Discussion
Be the first to comment on this story.
Sent to the editor for review
This is what you asked us to forward to the Village Board:
An editor reads it first. Once it goes, your comment here will show a ✓ Forwarded to the Village Board mark — that is your confirmation.