HANSON — In a brief meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Board of Selectmen approved the provisional appointment of full-time police officer David Munn.
Selectmen Jim Hickey and Wes Blauss were unable to attend the meeting.
Police Chief Michael Miksch said the appointment was necessitated by a pending vacancy in the department as Sgt. Gene Andrews has given notice of his plans to retire in December.
“The past two people that we hired came with academies already,” said Miksch, noting he is working to get Munn, who has applied to be an officer in the past, into a spring police academy class. Munn is currently a full-time public safety dispatcher for the town for five years.
Munn is a combat veteran of the Marine Corps who has served a tour in Afghanistan in 2011, is a lifelong Hanson resident and graduate of South Shore Tech.
“I like his background,” said Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “I like the fact that he’s been in that dispatch role and he is also a veteran … and then he’s going to go off to the academy. It just really seems like a great fit.”
Miksch praised Munn’s loyalty to the department and work ethic as well.
“If we can’t fill a shift, he’s stepped up to the plate and taken it,” Miksch said. “He’s been a great employee.”
The provisional hire would be contingent on his also passing a medical and psychological exam, background check and other tests and exams required by the department.
Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell said he is familiar with Munn and lauded his character, especially in light of his work as a dispatcher.
A discussion of Green Community Grant applications was tabled until the Tuesday, Jan. 22 meeting.
A resident attending the meeting to request the lifting of “no trespassing” restrictions on Factory Pond, was informed the board could not discuss the matter as it was not on the agenda, but Town Administrator Michael McCue said he would seek an opinion on the issue from town counsel.
Selectmen approved a one-day liquor license request for a birthday party at Camp Kiwanee Jan. 19.