Anthony Capozziello has been elected the new chief of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company following a meeting at the volunteer company’s headquarters on Monday, August 1.

The special election was required by the company’s bylaws following the death last month of longtime Chief Bill Halstead.

Also elected to new positions Monday night were Ryan Clark, who will now serve as Deputy Chief; Andy Ryan, First Assistant Chief; Rob Sibley, Second Assistant Chief; Stephen Clark, Captain; and Richard ("Archie") Paloian, Lieutenant.

Following his election as the company's new lieutenant, Paloian resigned as the company's vice president. Longtime member Matt Dobson was nominated from the floor, and then elected into that administrative position.

The new positions took effect immediately.

Halstead had been chief of Sandy Hook VFR since 1978. He had been elected in June to serve another term, starting his 45th year in that position on July 1. He had announced during the annual elections in June that he would retire from the position — but not the company — at the conclusion of his current term, which would have carried to June 30, 2023.

Capozziello has been a member of the fire company for more than 30 years. He served as an Engineer, Second Engineer, First Engineer, and Lieutenant before being elected Assistant Chief in 2008. He held the post of assistant chief until 2018, at which time the company updated the title to Deputy Chief. He was Deputy Chief until Monday’s special election.

A Newtown native, he is employed by the Town of Newtown as General Supervisor of the Public Works Department.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.