Sterling Select Board Appoints Thomas Kokernak Fire Chief
Sterling Select Board appoints Thomas Kokernak Fire Chief in 4-1 decision. Chair Kirsten Newman, Select Members David Smith and Patricia Ward, and Select Member Ron Furmaniuk voted for Kokernak's appointment, contingent on background check, physical, and contract negotiations; Select Member Maureen
Select Board · Meeting of January 14, 2026
Sterling Select Board appoints Thomas Kokernak Fire Chief in 4-1 decision. Chair Kirsten Newman, Select Members David Smith and Patricia Ward, and Select Member Ron Furmaniuk voted for Kokernak's appointment, contingent on background check, physical, and contract negotiations; Select Member Maureen Cranson opposed. The board also unanimously established a PILOT review committee to examine stagnant watershed property payments unchanged for forty years, unanimously accepted the withdrawal of KP Market Sterling LLC's Beer and Wine application without prejudice, unanimously approved a $3,250 stipend for the interim Fire Chief covering thirteen weeks through February 6, 2026, and unanimously approved membership in the Regional 911 Emergency Communication District with a June 1, 2026 projected go-live date.
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Source: the Select Board meeting of January 14, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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