LAKEVILLE — The sense that Wednesday night’s Select Board meeting was history-in-the-making was unanimous. 

Town Clerk Lillian Drane kicked off the meeting by reading from a book of the town’s historical records. This is the first time in the Lakeville’s 171 year history, she said, that there has been a five-member Select Board. 

Addressing the two new members, Maureen Candito and Brynna Donahue, who won the two and one-year seats at Lakeville Town Election this past Monday, Drane said, “I am happy to work with you. This is a first for Lakeville.”

Members new and old shared contributions about this monumental time in the town’s history. Chairman Brian Day said, “I take pleasure in serving on the first five-member board in history.”

 Lia Fabian remarked that 2019, the year she started, was the first female-majority board. “To come this far is pretty nice”, she said. 

Re-elected and new members also shared their thoughts on being part of the new board. On account of her re-election, Lorraine Carboni stated that she’s “really excited to be back and grateful to be able to continue serving in this capacity.”

Newcomer Maureen Candito announced that she’s “very happy to be on the same side of the table” as fellow Select Board members. She added: “Now we have the capacity to put things onto people,” referring to how, with more members, the board will be able to better manage its workload.

Donahue thanked those who came out to vote. “It is exciting, it is new, and I think it is going to go well” she stated in regards earning a seat. 

Following protocol, a new board chair was elected. Chair Brian Day nominated Vice Chair Lorraine Carboni for the role. “Thank you for the grace you showed last year,” he said. “I think this is the right time.” Carboni accepted. “I will be looking for support from the board should I stumble,” she said. 

Chair Carboni then nominated member Lia Fabian to serve as Vice Chair.

As for other positions, member Brian Day was nominated to be the director of Veteran Services, and member Fabian was nominated to continue serving as the representative for the Plymouth County Advisory Board. Day will also continue to serve as the Regional Finance Committee point person, and Fabian will continue as liaison for the Council on Aging. 

Member Candito accepted the role of Parking Clerk, as well as to be the liaison for Union Negotiation and the Town Administrator Search Committee. Member Donahue will serve as the school department liaison.

Vice Chair Fabian brought up one new challenge she foresees as a result of the expanded board - neck cramps. We need a different table setup, she said with a smile, “to avoid having to crane your neck to see everyone”.