Santa train coming to town BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer FREEHOLD - Gather up the little ones, Santa Claus is making a trip down from the North Pole for a pre-Christmas visit. Once again, Santa will arrive in the borough a couple of weeks before Christ-mas to meet and greet youngsters and take their holiday requests back to his workshop. The Santa train will arrive at Throckmorton and Main street at noon Dec. 9. Santa will meet all of his friends during a two-hour visit. The train will once again be provided by Conrail. Conrail runs the event with the Freehold Borough Policemen's Benev-olent Association. Patrolman Chris Colaner, who serves as PBA delegate, has organized the event for eight of the last nine years. He said the police see this annual event as a way of giving something back to the community. With the help of members of Freehold Borough PBA No. 159, Conrail employees and cooperation from the community and business owners, free gifts and goodies will be handed out to children who stop by the Santa train. Duane Stassi, who serves the borough as a special officer, will be spinning the sounds of Christmas. Colaner said the Santa train started nine years ago when Joseph Garofolo, a Freehold Township resident and district superintendent for Northwest Conrail, began what has since become a holiday tradition. Colaner said he saw the Santa train and asked Garofolo if the police could get involved. He said Garofolo was happy to oblige that request and borough police have been involved with the Santa train ever since. "This is a positive event for the community," Colaner said. "It's our way to give back to our community, especially to those who are in need at this time of year. We have such great cooperation from the community. We do not get turned away by anyone when we ask for help for this event."