Rockland County Legislator Doug Jobson presents Village Clerk & Treasurer Thomas F. Bollatto, Jr. with an award for his many years of service to the community. Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright looks on as Sloatsburg Elementary School Principal Dr. Joe Lloyd takes a photo at the far right.
A close gathering of family, friends and colleagues attended a special Village Board ceremony on Monday, December 4, to honor Sloatsburg’s Thomas F. Bollatto, Jr. for his 50 years of dedicated service to the community.
Mr. Bollatto’s renowned acerbic wit and suspicion of the spotlight was on display during the evening as he was called by Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright to say a few words. Mr. Bollatto stepped down from the dais, slowly scanned the filled room and spotted Village Building Inspector Joe Tichnor at the back of the room. I see Joe made it here tonight, Bollatto said dryly, even if he does have trouble making it in Mondays and Wednesdays.
Earlier this evening, Mayor Wright and Sloatsburg came together in order to recognize Mr. Thomas Bollatto Jr. for 50 years of Dedicated Service…a selfless individual who we admire, appreciate & respect. pic.twitter.com/QcgHf9zfjm
— Joe Lloyd, Ph.D. (@SESPirates) December 5, 2017
There was much good cheer and generosity in the room as Mr. Bollatto warmed in remarks. The occasion took on added significance as Mr. Bollatto shared that he believed the fabric of Sloatsburg is strong and that the Village is poised for the future. He looked out the Village Hall window at the enormous lighted tree at the Sloatsburg Methodist Church and said that in all his years he’s never seen Sloatsburg so lighted up for the holidays.
Mr. Bollatto then thanked Valley Rock Inn owner and entrepreneur Michael Bruno for lighting up the Village.
The Village Board, Mayor and Mr. Bollatto all share credit for helping successfully steer Sloatsburg through troubled times and working tirelessly to plant the seeds of its current revitalization.
Mr. Bollatto was hired as Village Clerk and Treasurer at the salary of $125 per week in December of 1967 and has been instrumental in shaping Sloatsburg ever since.
Sloatsburg celebrated and honored Village Clerk & Treasurer Thomas F. Bollatto for 50 years of dedicated service. Nicole Pagnotta serenaded with holiday songs. Tx to @NYGovCuomo and @NitaLowey for their letters of recognition. pic.twitter.com/Nfa1dHmSJo
— Sloatsburg Village (@Sloatsburgny) December 5, 2017
Time being the elastic thing it is, Bollatto noted that his long life of service to the community has seemed to pass by rather quickly — an observation seconded by former Sloatsburg Elementary School Principal Ron Anagnostis, who led SES for 20 plus years.
Mr. Bollatto’s community service is legendary, having served on the Ramapo Central School Board (now re-named the Suffern Central School District) for 27 years and supported Sloatsburg Elementary School through his affiliation with the Ramapo Valley Rotary Club and through the Friends of Sloatsburg Elementary School.
The Clerk and Treasurer is known for keeping a watchful eye on Sloatsburg’s spending. In the spirit of the evening, Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright mentioned that while Mr. Bollatto doesn’t have the first dollar he ever earned, he does have the change from it.
