The Croton Fire Department spent its February meeting tending to its fleet and firehouses while carrying home a new assignment from Village Hall: a list of legislative priorities for Albany. Mayor Pugh, who attended the Feb. 24 Fire Council session at the Harmon Firehouse along with the village manager, thanked members for their work and reminded the chiefs that the Village Board wants recommendations it can bring to the state legislature on the Croton Fire Department's behalf, according to the minutes. The meeting was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Anthony Gagliotti and the mother of a department member, both of whom recently passed away. The biggest equipment item was the replacement apparatus. The minutes state: “Engine 119's new truck committee has completed specifications, and the Chiefs will be meeting with the Village Board on Wednesday night this week.” Chief Chris Colombo reported that the department has been handling messages with Croton police regarding recent threats to members and firehouses; the minutes offer no further detail. Ice rescue training this past Saturday drew about 18 members and was well received, and the boat committee scraped the department's new boat on Sunday. The Harmon engine remains in the repair shop for roughly three more weeks awaiting parts, and Tanker 10 still needs repair to its chutes and drains. Frank Pusatere will serve as the department's caretaker. Assistant Chief Joe Streany reported a round of building projects: work on the kitchen and day room at the Grand Street chemical engine house, garage-door keypads and new remotes for the apparatus due to be replaced this week, and a new boiler at the Washington engine house that is near completion — waiting on a Con Edison final inspection before the gas is turned on. The steel door at Harmon leading to the second floor is also to be replaced. Brian Powers will take over as chairman of the by-law committee, and this year's audit committee consists of Phil Dinkler, Powers and two other members. Company presidents and treasurers were reminded that their 2% annual reports are due to the state. Council treasurer Phil Dinkler reported on Fire Council finances and reminded companies to submit what they owe for the holiday party and bi-annual dinner: $2,545 from Chemical Engine, $480 from Patrol and $925 from Hook & Ladder, with Harmon and Washington paid in full. In other communications, Chief Colombo approved John Delaney, the council secretary, as a mutual aid member of the Verplanck Fire Department. Parade invitations arrived from the Ossining Fire Department for Aug. 7, 2026 — previously approved — and from Mamaroneck for July, and Protection Engine in Hastings, celebrating its 150th anniversary, will get a $75 journal ad from the council. The department's attorney, who has retired, returned a $453 check from an escrow account held on the department's behalf. The new attorney has received the fire department's retainer, and the council voted to restrict contact. The recorded motion said “only the three Chiefs are authorized to speak to the attorney”. The council also discussed the EMS operation moving completely into new quarters and clearing items from the day room, with Chief Colombo to handle matters with the EMS leadership. Three physical sessions are anticipated for members in 2026, with a reminder that members who sign up and fail to show still cost the department the slot. The minutes identify Wednesday’s session with the Village Board over the Engine 119 specifications as the next step in the department’s apparatus plans. They record no deadline for the chiefs’ Albany recommendations. *Correction, October 19, 2026: Unsupported timing for Phil Dinkler’s departure as chief and for the Albany recommendations has been removed. Joe Streany’s title follows the minutes’ designation of assistant chief.*