Falls Village Recreation Commission forms hiring subcommittee to interview recreation director candidates

The Falls Village Recreation Commission voted unanimously on Jan. 14 to establish a hiring subcommittee to interview candidates for the town’s Recreation Director position. The commission entered executive session to discuss applicants and afterward named Matt Gallagher, Catherine Wales, Christopher Wadsworth and Dan Carr to the subcommittee.

The commission’s chair, Melissa Lopes, reported that the job posting had been submitted to the town website, posted on Indeed and ran for two weeks in the Lakeville Journal; the commission received 10 applicants. The commission cited a plan of action developed in executive session and moved, and then approved, the subcommittee to carry out interviews.

The commission entered executive session under the statutory citation recorded in the minutes (CGS §1200(6)) at 7:56 PM to discuss applicants and returned to open session at 8:47 PM, after which the motion to establish the subcommittee was made and passed unanimously. The motion to create the subcommittee was made by Melissa Lopes and the hiring-subcommittee membership was confirmed by a subsequent unanimous vote.

Why it matters: The subcommittee will conduct candidate interviews and report back so the commission can complete the recruitment process for a paid Recreation Director position that the commission has publicly advertised. Commissioners said they expected the subcommittee to begin scheduling interviews and report progress to the full commission.

Next steps: Chairperson Melissa Lopes will coordinate follow-up with candidates and the newly formed subcommittee. The next full commission meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2026.