Marshfield Prepares for Special Town Meeting, Launches Fire Chief Search
MARSHFIELD, MA - September 9 - Marshfield officials are gearing up for a Special Town Meeting on Dec. 16 to address MBTA Communities Zoning issues, while simultaneously launching a search for a new permanent Fire Chief.
The Select Board voted Monday to open the warrant for the Special Town Meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. in the Marshfield High School auditorium and gym. Town Administrator Michael Maresco explained the decision to use both spaces.
"We're going to have both rooms available because we're expecting overflow crowd because of the housing, the MBTA housing issue," Maresco said.
The warrant for the Special Town Meeting will open for article submissions on Oct. 15 and close on Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m.
In a separate action, the board approved the formation of a screening committee to find a new permanent Fire Chief. Select Board Chair Lynne Fidler emphasized the importance of moving forward with the search.
"I think it's imperative that we get moving with finding a permanent chief, and I think it will be something the town will be in a better place once we do so," Fidler said.
The screening committee will include the Select Board chair, police chief, HR director, labor council, former Fire Chief Bill Hocking, and former firefighter and union head Jim Hensley. The board also approved adding a citizen at large to the committee.
Interested residents can apply for the citizen position by submitting a letter and resume to the Town Administrator by Sept. 18. The letter should state why they want to serve on the committee. The Select Board will interview candidates and make a selection on Sept. 23.
Fidler outlined a timeline for the Fire Chief search, with HR placing a job ad in early October, resumes due Oct. 30, and the committee reviewing candidates in mid-November. The goal is to have a new chief start on Jan. 2, 2025.
Board member Eric Kelley initially suggested having three citizen members but agreed to proceed with one for now.
"I like the citizen at large, and I want to see how that goes. And then maybe we can expand that in the future," Kelley said.
The screening committee will review applications, conduct interviews, and recommend two to three finalists to the Select Board. The board will then interview the finalists in open session before making a final selection.
Maresco noted that the process will be confidential until the finalists are presented to the Select Board.
"That's all confidential. That's all done in executive session," he said. "When they refer the names, the finalists, for the select board, those two to three candidates, that's done in open session."
The Fire Chief position has been filled on an interim basis, with Fidler expressing appreciation for the fire department's work during the transition period.