Next Tuesday, the Hopkinton Select Board will interview two candidates for the position of Fire Chief. The position has been vacant since William Miller departed for Bellingham in May 2023. The Board will meet with Hopkinton’s Deputy Fire Chief (and Acting Fire Chief) Gary Daugherty, Jr. and John Ignatowitz, who is the Acting Fire Chief in Pelham, New Hampshire.
Mr. Ignatowitz began his career in Pelham as a Call Firefighter in 1998, and was hired full time in 2001. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2009 and became the Acting Deputy Fire Chief in 2022, and then Acting Fire Chief in 2023. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College and a Masters of Public Administration, also from Anna Maria College.
Mr. Ignatowitz currently resides in Pelham; his home is located 48 miles – approximately 1 hour 5 minutes – from the Hopkinton Fire Station.
Mr. Daugherty, Jr. is well known to Hopkinton; his father Gary Daugherty was Fire Chief from 1997 – 2009. Daugherty, Jr. became a firefighter in the military and served six years in the United States Air Force as a Firefighter, stationed in both in Afghanistan and Germany.
He returned from his tour in 2004 and joined Hopkinton Fire Department as a Firefighter and Paramedic. In 2011, Daugherty, Jr. was promoted to Lieutenant and in 2022 became Deputy Fire Chief, supervising the daily duties of a team of 31.
Like Ignatowitz, Daugherty, Jr. holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College and a Masters of Public Administration from Anna Maria College.
At the conclusion of the interviews, the Select Board is expected to appoint one of the candidates. The public is invited to watch on January 2 at 5:30 PM at Town Hall or via Zoom.
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Jr has my 100% support.
Why choose a local chief that’s worked his way up the ranks, knows the town, knows the department, has done the job for almost a year, and wants to (more than likely) retire here in 10-15 years? Why would anyone want to bring that stability to the town? Same as Lou, I wholeheartedly back Gary and wish him luck.
It’s not uncommon for NH firefighters to retire and collect state pension and then work in Mass to get another pension. That’s probably why Ignatowitz is interested in the job.
The Town would be foolish to appoint anyone other than Daugherty as Chief.
Gary Daugherty would be a great choice. Has been doing the job and knows his working team. Just make the right choice and choose Jr. He deserves it!!!