Acushnet promotes first female sergeant, names deputy chief

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of October 28, 2026

ACUSHNET — The Acushnet Board of Selectmen promoted Officer Courtney Soares to sergeant, making her the first woman promoted to sergeant in department history, and appointed Sergeant Jeremy Fontes as the department's first deputy chief. The moves came after the board accepted, with regret, the retirement of Sergeant John Bellarino and the resignations of officers Adrian Fonce and Nathan Turgeon, both departing for the Massachusetts State Police. Police Chief Kappa said staffing changes could be absorbed "within our current budget," while Chairman Kevin A. Gaspar, Sr. called the promotions "an historical moment in the town of Acushnet." The board also promoted Officer Derek Cathcart to sergeant, approved a $46,000 contract with Bro Roofing for Town Hall and DPW roof repairs, and voted to reduce the Morses Lane speed limit to 25 miles per hour.

In the full story:

• Police Department Personnel Changes
• Broadband Expansion Briefing
• Boy Scouts Land-Use License, Quaker Mills Property
• Traffic Safety: Keene Road and Morses Lane
• Town Hall and Library Roof Repairs
• Other Business
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,406 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.