Perkins unanimous choice for Middleboro interim town manager

MIDDLEBORO - Former Police Chief Joseph Perkins has a new role: Middleboro’s interim town manager.

 Select Board members voted unanimously in a 4-0 vote to bring in Perkins to serve during the period between the departure of Town Manager James McGrail on March 4 and the hiring of a new town manager. Select Board member Brian Giovanoni was not present.

 Perkins is a “natural fit’’ for the job, Select Board member William Pike said. He had originally mentioned Perkins as a possibility at an earlier meeting, which sparked some discussion because the position had not been formally posted yet.

 Perkins and town Facilities Manager Matthew Foye were the only applicants for the interim post. A third applicant, Derek Masky, withdrew his name, citing “personal reasons.’’

Perkins will serve essentially as a “weak town manager,’’ Select Board member Teresa Farley said. She advocated for a “complete freeze’’ in hiring and firing during the interim period.

 Select Board member Thomas White agreed that Perkins’ role would be to “mantain business as we know it day to day’’ until a permanent person is hired.

Perkins will likely work for four to six months, said Select Board Chair Mark Germain, who will now begin negotiations with the former chief. 

 Select Board members thanked Foye for applying and praised his contributions to town.

 “It takes a lot to put yourself forward,’’ Farley said of Foye. He was a “very strong candidate,’’ she said, a sentiment echoed by her colleagues. “We are really lucky to have two strong candidates.’’