Amity Chamber Awards Honor Police, Fire & Local Heroes

Barry Lee Cohen – CEO, Amity Chamber of Commerce

Orange Town News Staff

September 22, 2026

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A group of police officers and firefighters in uniform pose with community leaders, holding crystal awards at the Amity Chamber event.

Honorees with Rubino [Photo courtesy Steve M. Cooper]

The Amity Chamber of Commerce Community Awards and Annual Meeting was held today at the Courtyard by Marriott, 136 Marsh Hill Road, Orange. The sold-out event celebrated the Orange and Woodbridge Police Officers and Firefighters, Amity Chamber Business and Veteran-Owned Business of the Year. For the first time, the Amity Chamber Board of Directors presented a "President's Award."

Honorees were celebrated with crystal awards presented by Orange Chief of Police Robert Gagne, Woodbridge Police Chief Ronald E. Smith, Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas, Woodbridge Fire Department Executive Board member Nate Case, and Amity Chamber Board members, recognizing the merits of each award recipient, including:

President's Award: Ted Novicki, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Avangrid
Orange Firefighter of the Year: Don Foyer
Woodbridge Firefighter of the Year: Paul Konwerski
Orange Police Officer of the Year: Detective Denny Peterson
Woodbridge Police Officer of the Year: Sergeant Michael Blume
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year: Arrowhead Leadership Consulting, presented by Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN)
Business of the Year: SBM Hospitality, owners of the Courtyard by Marriott New Haven Orange/Milford and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Orange New Haven

To further acknowledge each recipient's achievements, State Senator James Maroney (D-14), State Rep. Kathy Kennedy (R-119), and State Representative MJ Shannon (D-117) presented citations on behalf of the Connecticut State General Assembly. With the U.S. Senate in session, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who attended last year's ceremony, provided Citations of Recognition from the U.S. Senate to commemorate each honoree's outstanding service to the community.

Two police chiefs in white shirts present a crystal award to a uniformed officer, smiling with a group of people at the Amity Chamber event. — Woodbridge Police [Photo courtesy Steve M. Cooper]

In describing the heightened significance of the President's Award, Barry Lee Cohen, CEO of the Amity Chamber of Commerce, said that the "President's Award is not designed or required to be presented each year. It is reserved for outstanding achievement of an individual Chamber member or partner, Chamber business, or non-profit Chamber member organization that has contributed above and beyond to the success of the Amity Chamber and surrounding communities."

Cohen said, "Ted's steady hand, strong support, enthusiasm, unwavering determination, and business experience have been indispensable in the transformation of a single-town chamber to a regional organization."

An officer in a large state trooper hat accepts an award from another officer in a white shirt, surrounded by a group of smiling civilians and officials. — Orange Police [Photo courtesy Steve M. Cooper]

Newly elected Amity Chamber Board of Directors President, Dr. Rob Rubino of Rubino Family Chiropractic, said, "For over seven years, Ted has been the binding force that kept the Chamber together during some of our most challenging times, including COVID and a turnover of executive directors. His extraordinary leadership, creativity, and unique ability to connect with local businesses have been instrumental in sustaining, strengthening, and expanding the Chamber's mission." Novicki has served on the Board of Directors since 2017 and as board president since 2019.

Ted Novicki [Photo courtesy Steve M. Cooper]

“It has been an honor to serve the community through my work with the Amity Chamber of Commerce,” said Novicki. “I am grateful for the recognition and the many relationships built over the years. I grew up here in Orange, so it means a lot to me to play a role in helping local businesses thrive and support organizations that are making an impact in this community."

A fire chief in a white hat presents an award to a firefighter in a dark uniform, standing with a man in a beige suit and a woman in a red jacket. — Orange Firefighters [Photo courtesy Steve M. Cooper]

Novicki remains on the Amity Board of Directors and will serve as the Chamber's Immediate Past President. Joining Novicki and Rubino on the Board of Directors will be newly elected Vice President Scott Prud'homme of Supercuts (Orange and Derby); Treasurer Tina Mason, Vice President of The Milford Bank; and re-elected Secretary Mary-Ann White of Coldwell Banker, Orange Office. The Amity Chamber Board of Directors also includes Jacqueline Coope, SBM Hospitality; Edward Crowder, South Central Regional Water Authority; Sue Ianniello, New York Life Insurance Company; Brian Kench, PhD., University New Haven; Sarah McGovern, Halcyon Travel; Jennifer Schempp of Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, P.C.; Annemarie Sliby, Executive Director, Orange Economic Development Corporation; Kyle Wasilewski, Bethany Economic Development Commission; and Owen Weaver, Zabel-Schellenberg Attorneys at Law.

Amity Chamber Corporate Partners, including Avangrid (Platinum Level) and The Milford Bank (Gold Level), are generously sponsored this year's event, along with Chamber members Optimum (Gold Level) and Silver sponsors, Baybrook Remodelers and 7 Brew Drive Through Coffee.

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