FREEHOLD – A veteran member of the Freehold Fire Department in Freehold Borough has been recognized by municipal officials and his fellow firefighters for his half-century of service to the volunteer organization.
William Maushardt, who joined the Freehold Fire Department’s Good Will Hook and Ladder Company in 1970, was presented with a resolution in his honor by his fellow firefighters on May 31.
The resolution was passed by the Borough Council in December, but council members were unable to deliver the document to Maushardt due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Fire Chief Robert Taylor noted that of the thousands of volunteers who have served the Freehold Fire Department in its 150-year history, only 21 members have served for 50 years.
“Bill is a very good fireman,” Taylor said.
Prior to becoming a member of the Freehold Fire Department, Maushardt served in the Hazlet Fire Company No. 1 from 1965-69, according to the resolution.
According to the resolution, in Freehold Borough, Maushardt served as a captain in the Good Will Hook and Ladder Company from 1978-80. He was the company’s secretary and treasurer from 1975-90 and the houseman of the Freehold Fire Department from 2002-09.
Maushardt is a former fire chief in town and a former member of the Borough Council.
During his decades of service to the organization, Maushardt is credited by borough officials with playing an instrumental role in the development of the Freehold Fire Department’s junior firefighter program.
While Maushardt did not create the program, he said he sought to expand the opportunity for the town’s younger residents. The junior firefighter program remains active in the borough.
Maushardt said he saw many individuals who served as junior firefighters return to the fire department as volunteers.
The council’s resolution states that Maushardt helped to secure approximately $300,000 in grants for the Freehold Fire Department.
“William Maushardt has voluntarily served Freehold Borough well for 50 years and these years of service have been marked by exemplary dedication to the best interests of this community,” municipal officials said in the resolution.
Maushardt, who currently handles executive work for the Freehold Fire Department, said he intends to continue his service.
“It has been an honor for me to serve,” he said. “Being part of the community, especially the fire department, has been a real pleasure. I enjoyed what I did and I still enjoy doing it.”