Douglas Select Board Unanimously Ratifies Kelly Manning as New Fire Chief

DOUGLAS — June 30, 2026 — Douglas names Kelly Manning fire chief and renews town administrator's contract in unanimous votes. The Select Board voted 5-0 twice on the same agenda item Tuesday — first to ratify Manning's appointment and then to approve her employment contract, effective July 1 — ending a selection process that drew on her nearly 20-year career with Douglas Fire and Ambulance, including stints as lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and deputy chief under three consecutive fire chiefs. Town Administrator Matthew J. Wojcik, who praised the board as "the most engaged board" in his nine years in the role, also won unanimous approval for a new three-year contract following roughly six months of negotiations; salary terms were not disclosed publicly but will be posted on the town's website per bylaw. The board also approved a $15,785 internal transfer to pay a standard 5 percent brokerage commission on the renewal of the town's post office lease, which raised annual rent from $51,000 to roughly $78,000 with annual escalators, and accepted a $2,610 state emergency management grant to purchase mass-casualty reunification kits. State Representative Joe McKenna, who noted Manning is believed to be the sixth active female fire chief in Massachusetts, presented the town with a replica Declaration of Independence as part of the America 250 commemoration.