This story was updated to include background information on Joe Braga.

At a Jan. 11 Select Board meeting, Joe Braga was officially certified to oversee the town’s building department after previous commissioner David Riquinha resigned late last year.

Braga, a former Clinton resident, recently worked as the deputy building commissioner in Brookline and was the local inspector in Lowell. The newly approved commissioner also taught construction for at-risk youth.

“My wife and I are very happy to be in Dartmouth,” Braga said.

Riquinha had worked in Dartmouth for under two years before returning to his former position as building commissioner in Wareham.

Town Administrator Shawn MacInnes noted at an emergency meeting on Dec. 16 that Riquinha was unable to act as an alternate commissioner due to the demands of his new position and the pandemic.

“Building departments are seeing a huge increase in permits,” said MacInnes, adding that the town was seeing “a bit of a backlog” of permit applications in mid-December.

Building commissioners ensure that construction complies with the town’s codes and regulations including building and design standards, parking requirements, and building material specifications.

The building commissioner also oversees inspections to ensure all buildings meet code.

Former Dartmouth Building Commissioner Paul Murphy was appointed to fill in as the alternate in the interim before Braga started work on Jan. 4. 

Although Braga was not in attendance at the virtual meeting, the Select Board unanimously approved Braga’s appointment.

At the same meeting, the Select Board also approved a new police officer candidate. Trevor Gregoire, a lifelong Dartmouth resident, was appointed by Police Chief Brian Levesque to join the force. 

Gregoire holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Bristol Community College and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Bridgewater State University. He also works at Stop & Shop as an asset protection associate.

“I’m excited to begin trying to make the community better — that’s what it’s all about,” Gregoire said. “I love this town.”