Thursday, 17 March 2022 15:01

Wilton Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Banquet on April 10

Wilton Volunteer Fire Department. Photo by Caitlyn Martinelli. Wilton Volunteer Fire Department. Photo by Caitlyn Martinelli.

WILTON — Since its official inception in 1947, fire and rescue calls continue to be responded to by members of a 100% volunteer non-profit now known as the Wilton Volunteer Fire Department, whose officers and chief respond to over 350 calls each year. 

Stephen Kloss Sr, with 61 years of service is one of 20 members across four generations of his family to volunteer. 

“It’s in our blood,” says Richard Helenek who has responded to calls for over 56 years. His brother, Robert, has 57 years. The longest-serving member is William E. Morgan. His 67 years of service will be celebrated  April 10 when the department holds its 75th Anniversary banquet. 

“It’s also been great to see a resurgence of diverse volunteers join us over the last couple years who cover the ages of teens, 20s, 30s 40s and 50s,” says department president Andrew Bobbitt. 

A reminder of the department’s early years continues shine in the district’s main station: a 1944 WW II U.S. Navy 500-gallon, two hose, 4x4 International known to members as “713.” It has been used for decades as a go-anywhere workhorse for local brush fires but has since been retired to show-and-parade service. 

Two of the biggest impacts affecting the department have been the additions of a fire district main station on Ballard Road in 2002, moving from the original station on Wilton/Gansevoort Road, and a new district substation strategically located on Route 50 that opened in 2012. The new stations provide more efficient response times while allowing more space for the separate tax-funded Wilton Fire District.

For more information, visit: wiltonfiredept.org, or contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Those interested in supporting the members’ 75th Anniversary banquet, may mail donations to: WVFD at 270 Ballard Road, Wilton, NY 12831.

Read 940 times

Blotter

  • New York State Police The New York State Police announced that it issued 5,576 tickets during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. The campaign began on Friday, March 15, and continued until Sunday, March 17. During the campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors detail. State Police also ticketed distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. State Troopers arrested 132 people for DWI and investigated 199 crashes, which resulted in 25 people being injured and no fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Heather DiCaprio sold property at 473 Garrett Rd to Justine Levine for $288,000 Sharon Willman sold property at 99 Jenkins Rd to Charles Lemley for $165,000 CORINTH George Montena sold property at 422 Oak St to Stephen James for $142,250 Mark Makler sold property at 313 Oak St to Sabrina Sinagra for $195,000 GREENFIELD Landlord Services of Upstate New York sold property at 1935 NYS Rt 9N to Cochise Properties LLC for $210,000 MALTA  Linda LaBarge sold property at 35 Snowberry Rd to Qu Haozheng for $270,000 Dennis Mitchell sold property at 60 Village Circle North to BGRS Relocation…
  • NYPA
  • Saratoga County Chamber
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • Discover Saratoga
  • Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association