DALTON, Mass. — After serving on the board for almost two terms, about 5 1/2 years, Select Board member Joseph Diver announced that he would be stepping down on Oct. 1.

 

"It's been an absolute honor to serve the residents of Dalton being as an elected official. I hope we give [voters] the opportunity to have candidates campaign and have an election for whoever may replace me," Diver said on Zoom during Monday's Select Board meeting. 

 

At a future meeting, the Select Board will discuss whether to hold a special election to fill his vacant seat or wait until Diver's term expires next June and have his seat up for election as part of the standard Select Board election.

 

In July, Diver was given the opportunity to move back to his hometown of Brockton to become vice president and chief Information officer at Brockton Signature Healthcare. He previously held the same role at Holyoke Medical Center. 

 

This new career direction is taking his time away from the activities of the board and the town, Diver said. 

 

"I definitely do have to make this personal decision, and it's a difficult one, but it's the right thing to do for the board and for the town, but it's been an absolute privilege to serve with all of you and prior board members, town manager and all of our town employees," Diver said 

 

During the meeting, Select Board member John Boyle and Vice Chairman Daniel Esko thanked Diver for serving on the board. 

 

"I know we've got our differences in opinion, but you've been a great contributor to the board. You've handled some very difficult situations over the last four years. This is nothing now compared to what four years ago," Boyle said. 

 

"You made some difficult decisions along with the board, and we appreciate the time and effort you put into, and we're sorry to see you go, but I'm certain the board will join me and wish you well in any future endeavors."

 

These remarks were echoed by Chair Robert Bishop in a follow-up, who said he and Diver had grown to be more than just colleagues and have become great friends. 

 

"We have disagreed on agenda items which have never interfered with our friendship. I learned a lot from [Diver's] well-prepared research on agenda items. I will miss his insight and experience. I wish him well in his new job," Bishop said. 

 

During his tenure, Diver has developed a deep appreciation for the impact that engaged citizens and local government can have on a community. 

 

He emphasized the importance of community collaboration and engagement and educating residents on their role in local government. 

 

Diver moved to Dalton with his young family in 2006 with a five-year plan that turned into 20. His family fell in love with the town, the community, the school system, and the neighbors. 

 

"I have some of the best neighbors I could ever ask for in a town like Dalton.  It just grew on us," Diver said after the meeting.

 

The January that Diver moved to the town, a large tree fell in his back yard, and without asking, three neighbors came over, cut up the tree, and took care of it. At that moment, he knew they had landed in a very nice town, and his family's love for it continued to grow. 

 

Diver got involved with the Select Board because he wanted to address bullying issues in the school system. 

 

Prior board member John Bartels Jr. reached out to him and asked if he'd be interested in running for the board. After observing what the board does, he decided to put his hat in the ring, and he was " lucky enough" to have the voters elected him, Diver said. 

 

During an interview, Diver commented on some of the points in his time in Dalton's local government that will remain with him in his future endeavors. 

 

While on the board, he has influenced various town initiatives and decisions, including the Police Department's leadership reorganization, the prevention of a roundabout at Main Street and South Street, and encouraging community engagement, such as Dalton Day. 

 

Diver recollected on a time he saw a major change from a discussion and decision from the Select Board when the town had to address issues in 2020 with the prior police chief and a police officer. 

 

"I think that at that time, it was extremely challenging for everybody involved. [The discussion surrounding an officer's employment was] related to a case in which a young lady committed suicide. God bless her," Diver said. 

 

The board had to conduct an internal investigation, which resulted in the officer's firing that

May. 

 

The police chief was also placed on administrative leave for reasons that have not been publicly disclosed though there were allegations of an inappropriate workplace culture and a former employee had filed a complaint alleging discrimination and sexual harassment.

 

The months-long situation resulted in a mutual separation agreement between the town and the former chief. 

 

The decisions made during this time led to policy and procedural changes and the separation of the previous police chief, Diver said. 

 

"I think that was that whole those two specific issues were very challenging for the community and very challenging for the board, but at the end of the day, as we look back, it was the right decisions to make, because if we look at where we are now with our police department, under the leadership of Chief [Deanna] Strout and all the sergeants, we're at a very different place," Diver said.

 

"I think there's less turnover within our Police Department. There's less frustration within our Police Department, and I think the collaboration amongst all of our officers, sergeants, and the chief couldn't be better."

 

He also referenced when the board collaborated with the community and the state Department of Transportation to prevent the installation of a roundabout at the Main Street and South Street intersection, which is a state road and instead focused on updating the traffic lights.

 

The biggest improvement for the community he saw was Dalton Day's development. 

 

"I'm so proud. I can't be prouder of how Dalton Day has turned out. I had that idea, very simply, as we came out of covid, and we had the  Covid Relief Dollars or [American Rescue Plan] dollars, that we should do something special for the town. We should do something special for the residents," Diver said.

 

He brought up the question of what they could do, and Cultural Council Chair Alyssa Maschino worked with the council to develop the event, which has grown since 2023.

 

"We just heard last night that a local resident has volunteered to join a committee because of her experience with Dalton Day. So I think that's a huge success. I can't say enough of how proud I am of the people who took a very simple idea or concept and made it into what it is today," Diver said. 

 

Diver expressed his hope to continue working in local government. From his time in Dalton, he will bring with him a commitment to collaboration and the importance of public education and engagement.

 

"If I land in Brockton with a home, or whatever town I do land in 100 percent, I'll be looking forward to participating in the local, local government, whatever that structure is, or whatever that role is," 

 

"Because I think it's important for folks to participate because at the end of the day, that's where change really happens."