It was an evening of accolades for retiring Fire Chief, Fred Knight, who has headed the department for the past eight years.

"I'd like to thank everybody," Knight said during an emotional farewell. "If it wasn't for all of you, I wouldn't have got done what I got done.

"All in all, we probably accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. I put my best foot forward. You get to the point where you have had enough. So I'm packing it in," he said.

Knight, who served in the department for 33 years "epitomized the phrase 'dedicated public servant,'" said his successor, Sherwood. "His willingness to respond at any hour, in any weather, to any emergency represents the values that make Orange strong.

Knight joins his father and grandfather as the third generation of retired chiefs.

"It is with pleasure and pride that I become chief of the Orange Volunteer Fire Association this evening," Sherwood said. "I would like to thank the active members for the confidence they have placed in me."

Amid frequent outbursts of applause and standing ovations from the close to 200 guests at the dinner, First Selectman Mitch Goldblatt conducted the swearing-in of officers that included Sherwood, Deputy Chief Charles Gagel, Assistant Chiefs Roger Patrick and Keith Anderson, Captains David Mitel and John Knight and Lieutenants Joseph Davis, Pompeo Gatto, Michael Esposito and Gregory Knight.

Fred Palmer was named firefighter of the year, and Steve Bury received an award of gratitude. Also honored were firefighters who completed training courses, and active members received pins for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, and 45 years of service.

Goldblatt gave "a big thank you to the entire Orange Volunteer Fire Association. You should know how much your efforts are appreciated every day of the week. We are grateful that we have been able to open up the ranks to new membership."

He was referring to a change in bylaws that allowed the department to take in members from out of town.

"I want to thank and congratulate our new chief, Charlie Sherwood," he said." I know you will lead this department to the best of your ability."

Goldblatt went on to proclaim March 9 Fred Knight Day in Orange

Knight also received a chief's trumpet, a past chief's gold badge and a plaque from the Milford Fire Department.

In a review of the past year's business, officials noted the department received a new $315,000 pumper engine, and expressed gratitude to the Orangewood Women's Club, which provided more than $50,000 over the past several years.

Marcia Addil, auxiliary president, said her group expects to donate $4,000 this year.