The Select Board appointed Michael Gagne, who served as town administrator in Dartmouth for 22 years, as the third member of the Board of Public Works on Monday, Feb. 24.

This decision comes after the departure of Richard Alves, who served eight years on the board, and amid discussions of expanding the board to five members.

While Gagne was going to be interviewed against two other candidates, both Brian O’Hare and Stephen Howland withdrew their applications.

Gagne joins the board with years of experience in town administration, including an 11 year stint as town administrator in Mattapoisett and time in the New Bedford finance department. He has lived in Dartmouth for over 50 years, getting his degree at what is now UMass Dartmouth, and began working in environmental affairs in town shortly after.

“During the tenure that I served as the administrator in Dartmouth, we had a very, very good team approach to some very difficult and intricate public works projects,” he said.

Highlighting the Lake Noquochoke project, he said every department worked together with federal and state agencies “so it would be affordable for the residents and businesses in that area.”

He noted it took 32 meetings to get that project up and running.

Gagne said he hopes to see that same team effort when the town gets its new administrator “so that ideas are able to be matriculated into reality and sources of funding can be obtained.”

“I’m quite excited,” he added. “I worked a lot with the Board of Public Works here over the years. They’ve got some sizable issues ahead of them. I’m hoping some of my experience will be helpful with that.”

Select Board chair Shawn McDonald said, “Part of our effort here is that we make sure that we try to give the boards that we appoint a wide perspective of views and experience that can only enhance the board itself.”

He said he can only see Gagne’s experience as being an advantage, adding he is “very happy” and “very pleased” with this appointment.

“I can’t think of a better person to put on the board because I know how you operate, I know how you think and how you go about analyzing,” he said. “But ultimately, you do exactly what we hope to do, which is what is best for the citizens of this town.”

Select Board member Christopher O’Neil said from what he’s heard about Gagne, he’s someone people can talk to and someone who always does their homework to ensure they’re making “educated decisions for the right reason.”

O’Neil added he believes Gagne’s recent experience as president of the Dartmouth Partners in Housing will also be beneficial as he has seen the other side of Department of Public Works issues.

Select Board member David Tatelbaum said, “We have a lot of projects, not only to do, but to explain to the public — what they are going to cost, the advantages and disadvantages and the necessities.”

He added, “It’s going to be more important than ever that we tell the right story at the right time, so people know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”