Wenham Select Board Unanimously Promotes Officer Michelle Princey to Sergeant

WENHAM -- November 18, 2025, Wenham Select Board promotes Officer Michelle Princey to patrol sergeant and races a federal tax credit deadline on a solar canopy project. The board voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve Police Chief Kevin DiNapoli's recommendation that Princey, who has roughly 11 years of full-time experience including prior service at the Mashpee Police Department and an Air Force commitment, take effect as patrol sergeant on November 23. The board also heard that a proposed solar canopy at Town Hall, estimated at up to $895,000, must show at least 5 percent completion by January 5, 2026, or lose a federal tax credit covering roughly 30 percent of costs. Finance Director Jeff Soulard cautioned that funding the project entirely through a tax-exempt lease purchase "would have us borrowing more money than we need," and said the town is exploring the state Statehouse note program as an alternative. The Historic District Commission holds a public hearing on the application November 24 on Zoom, the first required gate before the project can advance to the Finance Committee and back to the Select Board within the tight deadline window.