By Theresa Knapp 

At recent meetings of the Board of Selectmen, the board accepted a resignation, made three appointments, and promoted three academy recruits to call firefighters.  

Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board 

of Steven Gallagher from the Zoning Board of Appeals on which he has served for 30 years and the Planning Board on which he has served for 12 years. Gallgher is selling his house and is moving out of town and said, in a letter to selectmen, that “it has been interesting and a pleasure to serve the town that my wife and I have lived in for 38 years and raised our 3 children in.” 

Finance Committee

Ken Wilson has been appointed to the Finance Committee. Wilson has experience in supply chain and logistics, and has lived in Hopedale for 20 years. In his qualifications, he cited an  “extensive history of leadership and team-building in both [the] private sector and as an Army Engineer Officer.” As reasons for wanting to serve, Wilson said “I would like the ability to present recommendations and solutions to [the] committee vs. having a limited role as a ‘spectator’...” 

Water & Sewer  Commission

The Board of Selectmen and the Water & Sewer Commission have jointly appointed Donald Cooper to the Water & Sewer Commission. Cooper has more than 16 years of experience in municipal water and sewer plus more than 10 years of experience in the water works industry. Cooper is the current Assistant Superintendent of the Medway Water & Sewer Department, and has lived in town for 50 years. He has been informally helping the W&S Commission and was appointed to a seat that was vacant, and will run on the town ballot in May for his next term. 

Fire Department 

Fire Chief Thomas Daige reported that call candidates Justin Carnaroli, Kristin Krauss and Adam Kaminski-Miller had completed the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Recruit Training Fire Academy and were all promoted to Call Firefighters effective March 1. 

“These three individuals have been very, very active,” Daige told the Board of Selectmen, adding. “All three of these candidates have family within the fire service...it’s ‘all in the genes,’ if you will.” 

In addition, Brandon DeLuca was appointed as a Call Firefighter to the department. DeLuca is a career firefighter/paramedic who recently moved to Hopedale.

For more information about serving on a town board or commission, visit the town’s website for the Talent Bank Form which can then be sent to the Town Administrator’s Office.