WILBRAHAM – During the Select Board meeting on Oct. 21, a new fire captain was named, and a vacant library trustee position was filled.
Fire Chief Michael Andrews joined the meeting as Patrick Farrow, John Fitzgerald and Jeff Kristek were all interviewed by the Select Board.
After conducting each interview, the Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Farrow as the next fire captain.
Andrews shared his thoughts on each candidate that was considered for the position.
He said, “Three very strong candidates, any one of them would be good. I think at some point [the Select Board] will be promoting them during their careers at some point. I think they’re three of our stronger people and I think their resumes speak for themselves.”
Farrow has been a firefighter within the Wilbraham department for 13 years as well as serving as a paramedic.
In 2022, Farrow was appointed the assistant fire prevention officer and was recently appointed interim captain as Deputy Fire Chief Mathew Walch was promoted.
Farrow talked more about what experience has prepared him for the role.
He said, “Over the years I’ve been able to take much training through fire officer and leadership courses and fire prevention as well as a strong educational experience with teaching public education, community relations and working the public as kind of a public information officer to kind of monitor and use our social media platforms to connect messaging with the community as well.
This has all prepared me as I prepared for the interview, I went out and joined many different professional development groups and kind of consulting with firefighter friends who are captains and captains who are now chiefs to prepare me for not only the position but the role and what is expected.”
Throughout his years, Farrow has also joined multiple working committees to help move projects forward and implement policies and procedures.
Farrow said he also likes to focus on the community relations aspect of the job.
He said, “Whether it’s a trunk or treat event or it’s a presentation at the Senior Center, I’ve been heavily, heavily involved with the community relations aspect and kind of really educating the public as much as I can about fire safety.”
Besides interviewing and naming a fire captain, the Select Board was also joined by the Library Board of Trustees to interview Charles Clark and Amelia Holstrom for a vacant trustee seat.
After interviewing the two, Holstrom was appointed to fill the role until May 2025.
Board of Trustees Chair Barbara Galanek talked about both applicants and said either one of them would be great for the role.
She said, “I think both candidates, I would like to thank them both for coming out. I think they were both impressive candidates and we’re very fortunate.”
Holstrom is currently a labor employment lawyer who only represents businesses. She said these set of skills can help the Board of Trustees look for the next library director.
“That gives me a skillset that’s uniquely suited for what the library trustees do, in particular with evaluating and assessing the director of the library. I regularly advise clients on performance reviews, how to do proper evaluations, what should and should not be in them so that’s really right in my wheelhouse,” Holstrom said.
Holstrom is also heavily involved within different regional and local groups including the Commission on Disability, Personnel Advisory Board for the town and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Clinical and Support Options Board and the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce.
When it comes to the Library Board of Trustees position, Holstrom talked about why she applied.
She said, “I think the library is one of the biggest assets in our town. It gives everyone access to information and so it’s a place where people can really come together and where people have access to things they wouldn’t otherwise have access to that’s free and that’s really important.”
Holstrom’s three priorities for the library is not having late fees, see more children related services during non-business hours for parents and to make sure the next library director has the adequate number of staff and focus on retaining that staff.
Holstrom acknowledged that the Wilbraham Public Library already does not do late fees and she would want to see that continue.
She also said she frequently visits the library for herself and with her children and wants to be able to keep the library going in the right direction.
