MARSHFIELD — Oct. 5, 2026 — The Marshfield Select Board last Monday appointed Deputy Chief Patrick Smith acting fire chief, subject to town administrator approval of all permanent appointments and promotions and to an employment contract agreement with the Select Board. A scheduled Opioid Fund grant presentation was passed over for lack of a committee quorum.
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With Chair Rick Smith absent, Eric Kelley running the meeting described the move as appointing the deputy chief to the top post for a period of time.
Midway through reading the motion, Kelley stopped to ask whether permanent promotions were expected. Town Administrator Ted Langill answered that a chief has the authority to make those appointments, so an acting chief would have it as well, and that the condition puts a connection between the acting chief’s appointments and the Select Board. The discussion established that the acting chief may still make temporary appointments and that the approval requirement covers only permanent appointments and promotions.
The final motion made all permanent appointments and promotions subject to the town administrator’s approval and added employment contract language the Kelley wrote in. It was seconded by Chris Rohland and approved on a voice vote of the two, followed by congratulations from Kelley.
I appreciate Deputy Fire Chief Smith’s willingness to step up and serve at the highest level of our fire department, and you know, I know you have a very strong background and performance here in Marshfield
— Select Board Clerk Chris Rohland 5:23
The Opioid Fund grant presentation did not happen. Kelley said there was not a quorum to meet with the Grant Committee or the Opioid Committee, and the board moved on without a vote.
The board approved a temporary entertainment license for the South Shore Celebration of Lights, a display of static and animated holiday lights with music at the fairgrounds from Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027, running 5 to 10 p.m. The application projects 500 cars daily and states that all sound stays within the cars and all lighting is at ground level. The Board of Health noted that any food vendors would need temporary food permits, and Kelley said police communications on the event looked good. Rohland said the show has run for a number of years and has become something many families look forward to.
The board also approved the Recovery Rocks Fundraiser, an annual family-friendly event for a recovery organization, at Salt River Farm, 857 Union St., from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17. The application lists no alcohol, live music inside a barn, food trucks serving pizza and ice cream, and attendance that could exceed 200. The fire and police departments reported no issues.
