Voters in West Babylon and West Islip elect new Fire District Commissioners
by Tracy Bongianni

Newly elected WestBabylon Fire Commissioner Matthew Smith is shown in top photo.

Matthew Smith, a volunteer with Company #2 from the Hertze Boulevard Firehouse was elected to the West Babylon Board of Fire Commissioner's December 11. He assumes the post formerly held by Dave Carrigan who did not seek reelection.

Smith was challenged by Richard Koch, of the Great East NeckRoad Firehouse in the close race. The vote was 233 to 212.

Smith is a member of the department's training committee and director of Junior Firefighters. He has been a lacrosse coach in West Babylon for ten years.

"I am gearing up for the work," he said following the vote. "I am more excited about the job than the win."

In other local elections, Salvatore Celeste won a seat on the West Islip Board of Fire Commissioners with 207 votes. He ran against Steve Faist, Robert Coppola and Darren Drinkwater who received 115, 150 and 189 votes respectively.

Celeste is a 42-year resident of West Islip and has been with the department for 13 years. He is a former captain of the rescue squad and an EMT for 12 years. He lives in West Islip with his wife and two children and has been a Den leader and Cub Master for Cub Scout Pack 83.

Above, newly elected West Islip Fire Commissioner Salvatore Celeste.

"It was close and I won by 18 votes," Celeste said following the election. "Iam very excited and am looking for - ward to the job."

He will be sworn in Jan. 7.

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