Ashland Council tables decision on retirement letter from Fire Chief Groody
Council also accepts longtime assistant chief’s retirement
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL FILE - Ashland Fire Chief Phil Groody at the scene of a vehicle fire in the borough in 2021.
ASHLAND – Ashland Borough Council tabled a vote on a letter of intent to retire from Fire Chief Phil Groody at Wednesday’s meeting, but some council members extended thank yous for his service.
Groody has been the fire chief for decades, assuming the role after the retirement of Tom Towers in 2000.
“Phil, thank you for your services throughout your lifetime,” Councilman Barry Spieles said. “And your family for putting up when you were gone, worrying about the danger that you face.”
He also thanked Assistant Chief Charles Orth, who was also present at the meeting, and Assistant Chief William McFadden.
McFadden also submitted a retirement letter, effective Dec. 31.
“It has been my pleasure to serve this borough and its citizens,” McFadden said in the letter, read by Ray Jones, borough manager.
Councilman Adam Bernodin extended thanks to McFadden as well. McFadden had been a firefighter in the borough for many decades.
As for Groody’s retirement, council tabled the decision until the reorganization meeting in January.
In his report at the meeting, he asked residents to be vigilant and, if using auxiliary heating sources, to use them by their manufacturer’s guidelines to keep them from overloading electrical circuits or catching items nearby on fire.
Justin Reed, a member of the American Hose Co. in town, told council they are planning a fundraiser to recognize Groody on Feb. 25 at Groody’s Catering.
The fundraiser will be in the style of “the old Dean Martin roasts,” Reed told council.
“We’re going to do that to this guy here,” Reed said, referring to Groody. “We want to honor him but also have some fun along the way.”
He said seating is limited and tickets will be offered to Ashland firefighters first, as well as borough council members, then all Schuylkill County fire departments.
“Then, if we have seats left, we’ll open it to the public,” Reed said.
Tickets would be $30.
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