Select Board appoints acting town manager; backs police chief, spending bids.
Select Board unanimously appoints acting town manager amid leadership transition. Finance Director John Sousa, named Acting Town Manager effective May 26 for six months or until permanent hire, will retain his finance role while receiving additional compensation to be negotiated. Deputy Police
Select Board · Meeting of May 4, 2026
CHELMSFORD — Select Board unanimously appoints acting town manager amid leadership transition. Finance Director John Sousa, named Acting Town Manager effective May 26 for six months or until permanent hire, will retain his finance role while receiving additional compensation to be negotiated. Deputy Police Chief Gary Hannagan was confirmed as Police Chief effective June 1 after twenty-seven years with the town.
The Board approved bid awards totaling $255,777 for a tree inventory study ($91,896) and Town Offices bathroom renovations ($163,881), adopted a Custodial Credit Risk Policy, and authorized participation in fire truck price-fixing litigation in partnership with outside counsel.
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Source: the Select Board meeting of May 4, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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