WESTBOROUGH – Todd Minardi can drop the “interim” from his title.
The Select Board unanimously approved Minardi as the Westborough police chief during its Tuesday, Sept. 12, meeting.
The appointment is subject to contract negotiations.
Minardi became interim chief in July, when Jeff Lourie left to take the police chief position in Falmouth.
Minardi, a fourth-generation Westborough resident, has been with the Westborough Police Department since 1994; he started as a reserve officer and worked his way up the ranks. He became deputy chief in 2018.
RELATED CONTENT: For interim Westborough chief, community is the priority
As part of his presentation to the Select Board, Minardi highlighted the programs and initiatives he introduced over the years, including leadership training, a recruitment team, a post-overdose response team and equipment like stop sticks and body cams.
He also presented a “future vision” of what he would like to do. This vision includes reinstating the traffic officer position; adding a liaison to conduct outreach with senior citizens; and continue working with regional task forces on drugs, human trafficking and child safety.
Minardi added that over the past two months, the department has added five new officers.
After his presentation, Minardi fielded questions from the board.
RELATED CONTENT: Select Board appoints interim Westborough police chief
On leadership and management skills, Minardi said, “A good leader doesn’t have to come up with all the great answers – you need a team.”
Throughout the Q&A, Minardi stressed the importance of communication and cooperation with all parties, both within the department and townwide.
“They do an outstanding job,” said Minardi of the department. “They are very friendly, very professional.”
After asking questions, board members praised Minardi’s presentation.
“You continue to move the department forward,” said board member Allen Edinberg.
The board then voted unanimously to appoint Minardi as police chief.
