Cliff Keen on Broad Street last June. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
At its first working session of 2023, the Red Bank council fired public utilities director Cliff Keen Wednesday night.
Unmentioned at the meeting: he was replaced on an interim basis, at a cost of $16,500 per month, by Gary Watson Sr., whom Keen succeeded in 2016.
Red Bank Marine 1 in transit recently for installation of a new motor. (RBFD photo. Click to enlarge.)
Press release from the Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department
Thanks to the generous support of over 20 local businesses and nearly 80 individual contributors, the Red Bank Fire Department Marine 1 Fundraiser is a success. While contributions are still needed for the installation of the new fire pump, a new motor has already been installed, the GPS unit is ordered, and wiring is underway. The membership of the department continue to go above the call of duty in terms of contributing their time and are grateful for the public support – every contribution was noticed and appreciated.
Red Bank’s volunteer fire department is nearing completion on an overhaul of a multi-use boat it recently obtained for free. But it needs a hand from the public.
Red Bank Fire Chief Bobby Holiday, right, and First Deputy Nick Ferraro with the new rescue truck at Union Hose Company last week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s volunteer firefighters have a new truck to help them rescue individuals trapped in cars or on the Navesink River.
And though it’s a used, 28-year-old vehicle, its $35,000 acquisition last month is being praised by officials as “huge” bargain.
Red Bank’s volunteer fire department took delivery of a new firetruck Tuesday morning, the second in four days.
The Independent Engine Company’s 1994 Seagrave pumper, seen in the 2017 Halloween parade, would be traded in with a second engine. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A recurring split within Red Bank’s all-Democratic council was on display again Wednesday night, when a majority approved the purchase of two new fire engines. More →
The new apparatus would be stationed at the Independent Engine house, shared with the First Aid Squad on Spring Street at left, and the Westside Hose firehouse on Leighton Avenue. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s volunteer fire department will replace two trucks in the coming year under a plan discussed at last Wednesday’s council workshop session.
“It’s been a long-awaited purchase,” fire Chief Scott Calabrese told the council.
Cliff Keen, above, is the new director of public utilities, and Charlie Hoffmann, below, runs parks and rec. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Recent months have brought some new faces to Red Bank government.
In particular, three departments that residents have regular interaction with, and occasional strong opinions about, are under new leadership: parks and recreation; planning and zoning; and public utilities.
Here’s a quick intro to the new directors.
Chief-elect Joe Lauterwasser, right arrives at the First Aid building Tuesday night with his prospective first deputy, Chris Soden, left, and second deputy Pete DeFazio, center. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
If there’s one constant that defines the Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department, it’s family.
That was evident on Tuesday night, when the 143-year-old department’s annual election night celebration was dominated by names and faces that would have been familiar to attendees generations ago.
“We’re based on tradition,” said ex-chief George Lauterwasser (2002) as he awaited the arrival of the chief-elect, his 30-year-old son, Joe, at the First Aid building on Spring Street with dozens of other volunteers. “We keep it up with the kids. We’re old school.”
On display at the Navesink Hook & Ladder Company’s christening of a new million-dollar ladder truck in Red bank Sunday afternoon is the borough’s first ladder truck, above, which was sold to Hightstown in 1935 and is meticulously maintained.
The celebration, with music and free food, continues until 5 p.m. on Mechanic Street. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
Tommy Welsh arrives at the Westside Hose Company following his election as Red Bank fire chief last week. Below, the borough-owned Liberty Hose firehouse is in the process of being vacated because it needs upgrades the town cannot afford. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
A new, million-dollar ladder truck, firehouse consolidation and pervasive manpowwer issues are on the table as Red Bank’s next fire chief takes the helm on January 1.
For chief-elect Tommy Welsh, it’s the second time around as head of of the all-volunteer department, having served as chief in 1996. This time, however, the department is on the apron to some of its biggest changes in a generation.
“We’re in the middle of some history here,” he told redbankgreen at a party to celebrate his election last week.
Chief-elect TD Doremus, facing camera, with his father, Tom, center, and Chief Josh Sanders at the fire department election party. (Photo by Wil Fulton. Click to enlarge)
By WIL FULTON
Theres a new fire chief-elect in Red Bank, and though he’s heading into his first term at the helm of the all-volunteer squad, its certainly not a new title in his family.
A fifth-generation firefighter and third-generation chief, 29-year-old Thomas Doremus, known as TD, will begin his one-year command with the traditional New Year’s Day swearing-in at borough hall, succeeding current chief Josh Sanders.