Fire Chief Search Committee

At a glance

• What: A search committee to hire a new Fire Chief
• Where it stands: Committee fully appointed on July 6, 2026, with five members plus Town Manager, Police Chief, and Community Development Director; expected to meet throughout July and early August
• Members: retired Fire Chief James McLaughlin (subject matter expert), and four local residents/business representatives (Sarah Murphy, Dexter Blois, Matt Mullen, Dana Haagensen); Shelby Marshall represents the Select Board
• Next: Committee meetings July and early August

Committee Composition (July 6, 2026)

1. Select Board Member: Shelby Marshall
2. Town Manager: Kristi Williams
3. Police Chief: Todd Minardi
4. Community Development Director: Fred Lonardo
5. Individual with Subject Matter Expertise (MA Fire Chief): James McLaughlin
6. Resident/Business with Fire Department experience: Sarah Murphy, Dexter Blois, Matt Mullen, Dana Haagensen

Member Details

James McLaughlin - Subject Matter Expertise

• Retired October 2025 from Franklin Fire Department
• Extensive experience assisting other communities with similar fire chief searches

Sarah Murphy - Resident/Business Representative

• Employed at Amazon Robotics

Matt Mullen - Resident/Business Representative

• Employed by vendor providing services to Fire Department (non-commission-based sales role)
• Disclosure noted; Town Manager confirmed no conflict of interest

Dexter Blois - Resident/Business Representative

• Application processed; appointed to committee

Dana Haagensen - Resident/Business Representative

• Application processed; appointed to committee

Shelby Marshall - Select Board Representative

• Board member appointed to represent the Select Board on the committee

Sources

• Select Board meeting minutes, July 6, 2026: https://ma-westborough.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07062026-2425

Log

2026-07-06 - Select Board

Committee composition amended to include six member positions (Select Board rep, Town Manager, Police Chief, Community Development Director, subject matter expert, and resident/business representative). All five member appointments approved unanimously: James McLaughlin (subject matter expertise, 4-0), Sarah Murphy (4-0), Dexter Blois (4-0), Matt Mullen (4-0 with disclosure of vendor employment), Dana Haagensen (4-0), and Shelby Marshall as Select Board representative (4-0).

2026-08-11 - Select Board

Shelby Marshall reviewed the search timeline and the assessment center; the board interviewed the two finalists the committee recommended and appointed one (from auto-captions).