Skip to main content

Hopkinton Selectmen Announce Final Fire Chief Candidates

By contributor,
hopkinton_fire_patch_0.jpg

The Hopkinton Fire Chief Search Committee concluded its work last night by recommending two candidates to the Board of Selectman: Hopkinton Fire Department Deputy Chief Steve Slaman, and Framingham Fire Chief (and former Hopkinton Fire Chief) Gary Daugherty.

Current Chief Ken Clark plans to retire in January of 2016.

Representing the Search Committee were Selectman John Mosher, Town Manager Norman Khumalo, Human Resources Director Maria Casey, Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, and Personnel Committee Chairman Bob Levenson who served as Chair of the Committee.

Chairman Bob Levenson reiterated the Committee’s guiding principles of transparency and thoroughness. “We wanted to act quickly, but not sacrifice quality for speed,” said Levenson. “Our goal was to find the best candidates. Those who could do the job and fit in Hopkinton.”

The Committee received 18 applications, including 9 from out of state candidates. After a thorough screening, 7 candidates were invited in for in­depth interviews (2 candidates withdrew prior to the interviews). Several interview questions were based on input gained directly from members of the Hopkinton Fire Department.

According to Levenson, “As a result of the interviews there was clear consensus on the Committee that the two candidates we recommended to the Board could do the job, and do it well. The process worked.”