

SUMMIT — On Saturday, Sept. 27, a ribbon cutting welcomed the city's 1927 Chemical Engine to its permanent home, a newly built engine barn adjacent to the Summit Historical Society's Carter House.

Mayor Ellen Dickson cut the ribbon following a series of comments by those involved in the raising of the engine barn and the restoration of the chemical engine. After the ribbon was cut, Firefighter Tim Duetsch drove the engine out of the barn and children and adults were able to take a good look at it, and some even sat in it.

The theme of the day was community. It took community volunteers to restore the engine, to raise money to build it a new home and to help celebrate the ribbon cutting for its new home.

Speakers from the Summit Fire Department, Historical Society and city spoke from their hearts as they thanked the hundreds of people who helped make a dream a reality.

Summit Fire Chief Joseph Houck reminded everyone present that “about four years ago, the 1927 Chemical Engine was housed at the Fire Department." What had once been the pride of the department was covered with layers of dust and badly in need of restoration, he said. Partnering with the Historical Society was a “natural fit," he said.

Also speaking were historical society member Lynn Reed, Duetsch, who is nicknamed “the unofficial mayor of Summit,” and society board member Steve Pardee.

Duetsch said, “In the future, I would like the kids to come down here to learn about the colonial days and the fire truck.” He was one of many volunteers from the department who spent hours and hours working on the engine.

Historical Society President Patricia E. Meola reviewed the history of what was “a glimmer of idea years ago,” that turned into a city-wide effort — in part because of the efforts of Laura Madden’s “class of second grade students at Washington School who decided to launch a city-wide penny drive.” Those second grade students are now in the fifth grade.

From that drive, the “Friends of the Firetruck” group was created, then a $10,000 donation from an anonymous donor began to turn the dream into a reality.

Meola credited Chris Siepert Smith, who was then the president of the society, with heading up the successful fund-raising efforts and “making endless phone calls, knocking on doors from one end of Summit to the other and working on many, many grant applications.”

Pardee became the de facto general contractor; two years ago, Lori Dahl and Reed “said they wanted to throw a party for the whole town when it was time to cut the ribbon” and did.

The city and the fire department also received credit for their commitment to the project including the many financial contributions made by members of the department.

The engine barn was constructed by Amish builders working for Lapp Construction, who traveled to Summit every day.

New Providence’s A. Deluca Paving volunteered their services and dug the trench for electrical wires, returned to fill it and completed a brick sidewalk to the barn that makes access to it barrier-free.

Summit’s Stashluk Plumbing donated the labor for the installation of the heating unit and “electricians from Rockaway-based Superior Wirework provided advice in the early stages of planning and continued to offer excellent counsel until the last fixture was installed,” she said.

The wooden steering wheel of the engine was restored by Aldo and Nick Curiale, on behalf of Summit Millwork, and they have also volunteered to restore the engine’s running boards. The vehicle’s 1927 seat was restored by a local craftsman, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Other local businesses donating to the cause were Kings and Shop-Rite and Patrick Wildridge from Paul Davis Restoration in Union, who volunteered to underwrite the refreshments.

Finally, the Toy Professor contributed towards the purchase of more than 100 stuffed Dalmatians — half of which will stay with the fire department to give to children they help while on fire calls and the other half will be given to burn units that serve children.

“If you are here today, you have had a hand in the success of what began years ago as a simple ‘What if we...’ and evolved into this. On behalf of the Friends of the Firetruck and every member of the Summit Historical Society, Thank you,” she concluded.

The Carter House, the headquarters of the Summit Historical Society, is located at 90 Butler Parkway, is open on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.



Barbara Rybolt may be reached at brybolt@njnpublishing.com. Follow her on Twitter @BarbaraRybolt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

