Politics & Government

Matawan Commends Three Residents with Citizen of the Year Award

Matawan held their first meeting of the year Jan. 1

The Matawan Borough Council commended three residents for their dedication and service to the borough during Hurricane Irene during their first meeting of 2012 on Jan. 1. 

"I truly and honestly don't know what the community would have done without these three individuals," Mayor Paul Buccellato said.

Buccellato thanked Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Sgt. Thomas Falco, First Deputy Coordinator and Ex-Fire Chief Tim Clifton and Second Deputy Coordinator and Fire Captain Rich Michitsch, for their diligent work before, during and after the storm.

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"I know first hand how these individuals performed both prior to and during the hurricane. In fact their work has not stopped some four months after Irene," Buccellato said.

The trio coordinated the volunteer fire department and first aid squad and the police department to ensure residents remained safe during the storm, Buccellato explained. Even now, they are still submitting paperwork to the county, state and federal governments and working with FEMA representatives.

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The fire, first aid and police departments were thanked for their time and efforts, including rescuing a motorist stranded on a flooded Ravine Drive and helping a resident on Edgemere Drive after a tree fell on their home.

"Their work was commendable and we as a community cannot thank them enough," Buccellato said. 


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