By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough- Geoffrey Herald, the newly-appointed interim fire chief for the city of Marlborough, was formally introduced to members of the city council at its meeting Jan. 5, which was also his first day on the job. He was escorted by Mayor Arthur Vigeant, and welcomed and introduced by City Council President Trish Pope.
Herald assumed the position held by former Fire Chief Jim Fortin who retired in December after a 31-year career in the city. Herald comes to Marlborough from the city of Danbury, Conn., where he was fire chief for seven years and a member of that department since 1974. Herald recently retired from the Danbury Fire Department but remains active as a community college instructor in the fire sciences.
In announcing Herald as his choice for the position, Mayor Vigeant said, “I am confident his dedication to the fire services and commitment to high standards and excellence will serve our community well.”
During the council’s annual organizational meeting, Ward 1 City Councilor Joseph Delano nominated Pope for the presidency, proclaiming her “total dedication” to the position. She was unanimously re-elected as council president for the fourth consecutive year.
Ward 6 City Councilor Edward Clancy was elected as vice president for the fourth consecutive year. Both received a standing ovation from the full council.