The Town Council took time out from last night’s budget presentation to recognize the Verona Fire Department for its work on quickly bringing the large fire at 34 Morningside Road under control last Monday. Mayor Teena Schwartz praised the dedication of the VFD’s 50 members, 35 of whom responded to the blaze, many still in the dress uniforms they had just worn in the Memorial Day Parade. Deputy Mayor Frank Sapienza thanked the department for saving the houses on either side of 34 Morningside, though the fire, which has been ruled electrical, came close to spreading to those dwellings as well.
VFD Chief John McEvoy thanked his firefighters for their dedication to training, noting that they knew exactly what to do at the fire. He also thanked the other towns that responded with equipment and services at the fire, and which manned Verona’s fire stations while our firefighters were at the call.
And Council Member Jay Sniatkowski took a minute to remind all present that the VFD is an all-volunteer organization that depends on donations. “If we had to pay for their services from taxes, I can only imagine the burden we would face,” he added.
Let’s not forget the Rescue Squad (who also save the township residents money by being an all volunteer agency), Police Dept, and DPW.