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Amity Chamber Honors Police, Firefighters & Business of Year

September 29, 2025
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A group photo of Amity Chamber Community Awards winners, police, firefighters, and officials standing indoors in front of a display and American flag.
Left to Right: State Senator, James Maroney; Vice President of the Amity Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Dr. Rob Rubino; Amity Chamber CEO, Barry Lee Cohen; State Representative, Kathy Kennedy; Woodbridge Police Officer of the Year, John Lalli; U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal; Vice President and Branch Manager of The Milford Bank, Tina Mason (Chamber Business of the Year); Orange Police Officer of the Year, Vincent Landisio; Orange Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Eric Auscavitch; Bethany Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Steven Kirschbaum. Photo courtesy of Steven M. Cooper.

The Amity Chamber of Commerce Community Awards and Annual Meeting took place recently at the Courtyard by Marriott, 136 Marsh Hill Road, Orange. This sold-out event honored the Orange and Woodbridge Police Officers and the Orange and Bethany Firefighters of the Year, as selected by their peers. The Milford Bank was also recognized as the Amity Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.

The event was hosted by Amity Chamber CEO Barry Lee Cohen and Dr. Rob Rubino, Vice President of the Amity Chamber Board of Directors. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal made a special appearance, presenting Citations of Recognition from the U.S. Senate to each honoree.

Regional leaders joined Orange Police Chief Robert Gagne, Woodbridge Police Chief Ronald E. Smith, Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas, and Bethany Fire Chief Brent Ciccarelli in celebrating the achievements of the honorees. Among those present were Milford Mayor Tony Giannattasio, Woodbridge First Selectman Mica Cardoza, Bethany First Selectman Salvadore Amadeo, and Orange Selectman Mitch Goldblatt.

State Senator James Maroney (D-14) and State Representative Kathy Kennedy (R-119) presented citations on behalf of the Connecticut State General Assembly to recognize the exceptional contributions of each honoree.

Corporate Partners of the Amity Chamber sponsored the event, including Avangrid (Platinum Level), The Milford Bank (Gold Level), and Coastal Bridge Advisors (Gold Level). Additional sponsorship came from Chamber members Baybrook Remodelers (Silver Level), Comcast Business (Silver Level), and 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee (Bronze Level).

For more photos of the event, please visit the Amity Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page: Click here and here.

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