HOLYOKE Mayor Joshua Garcia announced this week that the city has hired a firm to conduct an audit of the Holyoke Police Department.Garcia said that a sub-group from the city’s Police Relations Advisory Committee reviewed several consulting firms’.
Wicked Local
The first live indoor event at Town Hall since the pandemic began was the swearing in of Belmont s new Fire Chief David DeStefano the morning of March 15. Surrounded by his wife and two children, the Select Board, Police Chief James MacIsaac, Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, and members of the Belmont Fire Department including Assistant Chief Wayne Haley, DeStefano took is oath of office with Town Clerk Ellen O Brien Cushman. I m looking forward to this opportunity. I think it will be very challenging, rewarding and enjoyable, said DeStefano.
DeStefano was offered the position by the Select Board in January after a four month search by the appointed screening committee with the assistance of the firm, Municipal Resource Inc.
Wicked Local
The Select Board voted to offer external candidate David DeStefano the Belmont fire chief position on Jan. 21, contingent upon the negotiation and execution of a contract. DeStefano is currently the shift commander/battalion chief for the North Providence Fire Department.
Three finalists were publicly interviewed on Jan. 21. The other two finalists were internal candidate Acting Chief Wayne Haley and external candidate James Peplau, battalion chief of the Waterbury, Connecticut Fire Department.
Select Board Chairman Roy Epstein, Vice Chairman Tom Caputo and member Adam Dash all agreed they thought all three finalists were exceptional candidates and it was a difficult decision to make.