Chaz Allen was honored Thursday night for his tenure as mayor of Newton — the longest in the city’s history — while Skiff Medical Center CEO Steve Long was handed the gavel of chairmanship at the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

Long said that the great thing about being chairman will be working with Newton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darrell Sarmento.

“Darrell is the heart and soul,” Long said. “I am thrilled because Darrell is really good. He’s got tons of really great ideas, and this community is a really great place to be.”