LAKEVILLE — April 2, 2023 has officially been proclaimed Rich LaCamera Day.

The Select Board meeting on Monday, March 27 was LaCamera’s last. He is not seeking re-election to the Select Board. At the 2023 town election on Monday, April 3, voters will choose among candidates Maureen Candito, Brian Day, and William Hoeg to fill the seat LaCamera will vacate.

Fellow Select Board members Lorraine Carboni and Evagelia Fabian made the announcement of the LaCamera Day at the end of the meeting.

Both Carboni and Fabian expressed how much they have learned from LaCamera. 

Fabian noted how she admired his persistence and calm when dealing with the Lakeville Hospital issue, especially in 2022.

“I hope going forward, as this board changes and expands to five people, I hope the emotion will go aside, and people will say, ‘That guy really cared about Lakeville,’ ” Fabian said. “I’ve debated you on Town Meeting floor, we’ve debated here [in Select Board meetings]. People call it fighting. It’s not fighting; it’s debating, because it takes all types of opinions.”

Carboni noted how they have known each other since she began serving the town in 2000, and how he helped her learn about town issues including infrastructure, policy, and the ins and outs of public service.

“I think we’ve always agreed to disagree,” Carboni said. “But we can still get a cup of coffee and still get along, and that, I appreciate.”

LaCamera moved to Lakeville in 1977 and began serving the town in 1983.

Carboni read a framed proclamation, which proclaimed April 2 as Rich LaCamera Day. The proclamation listed all of the positions LaCamera has held in town including the Finance Committee from 1983 to 1999, Select Board from 1999 to 2007, Library Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2021, and Select Board again from 2019 to 2023.

Also included in the proclamation was the fact that he served in roles and on committees including the Lakeville Hospital Negotiating Committee, Growth Task Force, Parking Clerk, Master Plan Committee, Lakeville Public Safety, American Disabilities Act Coordinator, and the Commission on Disability.

“Richard LaCamera’s years of dedication to making Lakeville a better place have been immeasurable.” Carboni read from the proclamation. “Therefore, the Select Board and the town of Lakeville Massachusetts… wish to express our sincere appreciation to Richard for his loyalty and hard work for the citizens of Lakeville.”

As Carboni finished reading the proclamation, LaCamera said “thank you” as the board members and audience applauded.