East Bridgewater Fire Department Welcomes New Captain and Firefighters, Select Board Approves Memorial for Fallen Officer
Phil Woolf promoted to Captain, two new firefighters sworn in during February meeting; memorial for Officer Albert Saccocia to be placed at Town Hall with May dedication ceremony
EAST BRIDGEWATER - February 24 - The East Bridgewater Select Board welcomes three fire department members to their new roles during the February 24th meeting, with Phil Woolf receiving a promotion to Captain and two new firefighters joining the department's ranks.
Town Clerk Kathleen Cavanagh administers the oath of office to Woolf, a more than 20-year veteran of the department who has served as lieutenant for at least eight years.
"Do you solemnly swear that you will faithfully perform all the duties incumbent upon you as a duly appointed captain, in and for the Town of East Bridgewater?" Cavanagh asks during the ceremony.
After Woolf's affirmative response and signing of his certificate, the Board welcomes Michael Rosa, who recently graduated from the academy and is a paramedic, and Peter Lee, who joined the department in October 2024 and is currently attending paramedic school.
Select Board member Carole Julius congratulates the firefighters, noting, "It's nice to see new young faces on the department, and also to honor Captain Wolf."
Vice Chair Peter Spagone adds his appreciation, saying, "People that we can trust in and protect Town of East Bridgewater. I appreciate it."
In another action, the Board unanimously approves plans for a memorial honoring Officer Albert Saccocia, who died in the line of duty on September 30, 1966.
Tom Benvie, who spearheaded the memorial effort, explains that after meeting with the Historical Commission, the committee decided to place the memorial on Town Hall property overlooking the police station rather than on the town common as originally proposed.
"It's important not where it goes, that it goes somewhere," Benvie tells the Board. "Albert Saccocia was a member of East Bridgewater. He helped form Little League. He formed youth football, and both are still going strong. And his memory should not be forgotten."
The memorial will consist of three stones measuring approximately 6 feet long and 4 feet high, with one stone bearing the inscription "thank you from the town of East Bridgewater." The estimated cost of the memorial is $13,000.
Benvie notes that Saccocia's children plan to attend the dedication ceremony scheduled for May 17, 2025. The event will include invitations to various law enforcement agencies and will be followed by a reception at the commercial club, where Saccocia was an active member.
Spagone expresses support for the memorial while asking about its potential relocation if a new public safety building is constructed in the future.
"The idea is obviously, as you just stated, to have it somewhere located close to where the police station is," Spagone says. "If we do have a brand new building at some point, which I hope comes to fruition, it would be great to have this piece there as well."
Benvie confirms that the memorial will be set on a cement base that would allow for relocation if necessary.
The Board approves both the memorial's location and design, as well as Benvie's request to use the Town Common and Town Hall parking lot for the dedication ceremony.
Other notable items discussed during the meeting include:
- Town Clerk Kathleen Cavanagh reports that nomination papers for various town positions are available until late March, with several positions still needing candidates, including Board of Health and one position each for School Committee and Library Trustees.
- The Board approves a common victualer's license for We Are Bananas, a business offering smoothies and acai bowls that supports early education programs.
- The Select Board discusses the HERO Act, which would provide tax exemptions for veterans. The Board requests more information about the financial impact before making a decision.
- Town Administrator Charlie Seelig provides updates on the fire chief recruitment process, noting that five candidates will participate in an assessment center, with final interviews scheduled for March 7.
- The Board discusses the potential adoption of permanent remote meeting options, with members noting the benefits for accessibility while acknowledging in-person interactions are preferable.
- Seelig updates the Board on the MBTA community zoning requirements, noting that despite being deemed an "unfunded mandate" by the State Auditor's office, the town must still work toward compliance.
- Progress continues on the Central School Building Project and Mitchell Middle School improvements, with contracts being signed for project management.
The Select Board will meet again in two weeks to continue addressing town business and preparing for the upcoming town meeting in May.