Former Meredith Selectboard chair commended for help with barn fire

MEREDITH — The Meredith Fire Department Merit Committee commended selectboard member Mike Pelczar, and his wife Betsy, for their help fighting a large barn fire last week.

Chief Ken Jones had an appointment with the selectboard on Monday, to speak about coverage on islands. Following his discussion, he asked to make a presentation.

Gary Pariseau, chair of the Merit Committee, said there was a large fire on Livingston Road on July 5.

The fire brought in agencies from 10 communities to help knock down the blaze, and one person received minor burn injuries when trying to get things out of the barn. There were no other injuries, and while the more than 100-year-old barn and contents were destroyed, the house standing only feet away was saved.

Jones told the selectboard about the work the Pelczars did at the scene.

“Some of the things they did was provide support for rehab sector for the firefighters,” Pariseau said. “As you remember, that day was quite warm. Putting 80 pounds of gear on, you get dehydrated quite quickly.”

The help didn’t stop there, Pariseau said. The couple also helped the property owners and acted as a liaison between them and firefighters. They also provided refreshments for firefighters on the scene.

Pariseau said after hearing the report, he told the chief a certificate of appreciation was in order. Jones agreed, told him to get a vote from the committee, and on July 13, it was granted by the chief. Pariseau read the certificate, saying it was “for supporting the Meredith Fire Department operations at 72 Livingston Road.”

After a round of applause, Pelczar posed for photographs, and even put on a toy fire helmet to appease his fellow selectboard members.

Pelczar thanked Jones and Pariseau, and said it was a group effort from the neighborhood. Someone brought pizza to the scene.

“I, particularly, was impressed by the support of the neighborhood,” Pelczar said.

Pelczar, a former firefighter himself, also praised the professionalism of the crews from far and wide who responded, as they were able to contain the fire to the barn under severe conditions.

“All of the out-of-town firefighters were awesome,” Pelczar said. “The biggest thing is they came in and saved their house. That was huge. If it wasn’t for their quick action, hard work, and good training, the house would have been gone, and it would have been much worse.”

“You made the fire ground safer, Mike, and we’ll remember that,” Jones replied.

Pelczar said in an interview on Wednesday that being a longtime resident of Meredith Center, now living on Livingston Road, he knows the property owners well. Troy Holmes, the son of the house’s owner Anna Ruth Holmes, is just a few years younger than Pelczar, and worked for his father.

“He’s like a brother to me,” Pelczar said. “We’re very close. We grew up together.”

Pelczar said he and Betsy heard what was happening, and went up to the residence to make sure everyone was OK.

“My wife spent a lot of time with Mrs. Holmes, because that is her nature,” he said. “I spent a lot of the day with Troy, trying to console him.”

Pelczar was quick to give credit to Betsy, who could not attend the meeting, as she was spending time with her mother. He said she put the time in with the refreshments and the water, and “did the lion’s work.”

He also said Troy’s good friend Peter Richards came by for support. He said Dean and Kate Roy provided water, while Cheryl and Alan O’Hara were also there to help, and other neighbors came to offer help.

“There was so much community support,” Pelczar said.

Pelczar has deep history with the town and fire department. He actually helped build the Meredith Central Station with his uncle and father, whose business was contracted for the job. While working there, he was enticed by the former chief, the late Fred Copp, to join the department.

Pelczar ultimately spent 10 years with Meredith Fire, retiring as a lieutenant to be more present with his business and family. He has high respect for the men and women in firefighting, saying the true camaraderie stays forever.

“Those were some of the best years of my life,” Pelczar said. “It was hard not to just drop everything, grab a hose, and help them out. The adrenaline just kicks in, and I know how much work it is. These guys bust their butts, and give it their all.”

Pelczar didn’t know ahead of time he would be commended, and said he was surprised. Pelczar had been speaking with the department about sprinklers for an upcoming project, and thought this might have had to do with that. When he was awarded, Pelczar was smiling, and the pride was clearly shown on his face.

“It was truly humbling and rewarding that the department took the time to think of us,” Pelczar said. “It’s an honor. We like to help, but be in the shadows, in the background, usually.”