CHARLEMONT — With a unanimous vote from the Charlemont Select Board to appoint Amherst Fire Department Capt. Chris Goodhind, the towns of Charlemont and Rowe are one step closer to having a new shared fire chief.
The board signed the contract with Goodhind Monday night and will move it along to the Rowe Select Board for final approvals and signatures before Goodhind, 46, can officially begin as the new fire chief for both town Fire Departments. His first day is set for Aug. 14.
Goodhind grew up in Gill and now lives in Hawley. He received paramedic training and an associate degree in fire science technology from Greenfield Community College and has been working at the Amherst Fire Department.
Charlemont Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds said that the town had received six applications, which were narrowed to three candidates. Municipal Resources Inc., a consulting firm the town used to review candidates, recommended Goodhind.
“I think this is going to work really well,” Charlemont Select Board Chair Jared Bellows said.
Goodhind replaces former Chief Dennis Annear, who announced last year that he would be retiring when he turned 68, which he did this past May. Like Annear, Goodhind will serve as the fire chief for both towns’ separate departments; however, unlike Annear, who held the chief role for each town independently, Goodhind will work under a joint contract with both towns and eventually serve as the chief of the regional fire district the towns are working to create.
An Act establishing a regional fire district and department for the towns of Charlemont and Rowe (H.4482) was filed in the State House last August. In September 2025, it had been reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has not yet scheduled a hearing on the matter.
The role is a promotion in title and duties; however, Goodhind will take a pay cut by accepting the offer. As the Charlemont/Rowe Fire Chief, Goodhind will make $80,000, which will be divided equally by both towns.
He told the Charlemont Select Board Monday night that he was excited for the opportunity to work in a smaller, community-oriented department.
“I’m really excited to work with the folks here. Everyone here seems really excited and genuinely committed to community, which is awesome,” Goodhind said. “I’ve worked in places with career firefighters and many of them are there for a job. And this is a place where it’s all about community.”
Following the Select Board’s unanimous vote to appoint Goodhind, Reynolds said he will need to be sworn in by the town clerk, and have the paperwork signed by the Rowe Selectboard as well, which is tentatively set to meet on Aug. 13.
Goodhind told the Charlemont Select Board he would like to meet again in the future to discuss their vision for the department and its role in town moving forward. Board member Kim Blakeslee suggested they meet again in six months to discuss how things have been going and set goals.
“I’m very excited to work with folks here and likewise with you as far as bringing your visions and goals for the community to come to life in the Fire Department,” Goodhind said to the board.
