A pillar of the Bowmanstown community for decades has been recognized for his unwavering support.

Mayor Zach Snyder announced at Tuesday’s borough council meeting that borough fire Chief Michael Spairana Jr. has been announced as the borough’s Neighbor of the Month.

Spairana Jr. has been a firefighter for 52 years, and Snyder noted that few people have been as dedicated to the community as he.

“It takes a special kind of person to run to a burning building to help a stranger, or respond to a 3 a.m. car accident, but it takes an even bigger heart to dedicate yourself to the day-to-day operations that make a fire company tick,” Snyder said. “Monday night drills, continuing education, communication with council and other elected officials, fundraising, building maintenance … the list goes on.”

Snyder spoke of Spairana’s tireless devotion to the community.

“9 a.m. on a Saturday morning in July, I was going to call Mike to ask him to accept the award, but I figured I’d swing by the fire company to see if anyone was around,” he said. “There he was, on a step ladder, by himself, painting the doors. It’s the little things like this that keep a fire company going, that keep a community going.”

Snyder said he couldn’t begin to thank Spairana Jr. - along with the fire department - enough for all of their contributions to the community.

“We just really appreciate everything he and the fire company do,” he said.

Spairana Jr. was not in attendance to accept the award, as the day marked his 70th birthday.

Snyder stressed that the fire company is in need of fire crew, fire police and social club help.

“Most people will never know how much they need their local fire company until they need their local fire company,” he said. “If you see Mike out and about this month, please thank him for all that he’s done for this community.”