MATTAPOISETT — In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, Jan. 14, the Mattapoisett Select Board voted to proceed with Bill McGrady in their search for a new Building Commissioner and will start by making reference checks.

McGrady began working in construction when he was 17 years old, working his way up from a builder to a building official and becoming building commissioner certified, obtaining teacher certification as well as a construction supervisors license. He has also been a building inspector since 2005.

He has worked across the state, including in Fall River for 10 years, in Swansea as a commissioner and in North Attleboro, he said.

McGrady has the necessary certifications for the position and has experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which Select Board member Tyler Macallister said is “a pretty big animal” and a “pretty important” part of the role.

During his interview Tuesday night, McGrady re-iterated the importance of putting the town and its residents “first and foremost.”

“As a public servant, I know that my job number one is to protect the town,” he said.

He added that he considers one of his strengths to be his desire to make sure people are “getting serviced the way they’re supposed to be, whether it’s just a simple email, a phone call or some type of a suggestion.”

Brandon Maroney also interviewed for the position. While Maroney has 25 years of experience working in construction, he had less experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency than McGrady and didn’t meet all of the certification requirements, including holding a commissioner license.

“Brandon is a nice guy, but I think Mr. McGrady’s answers were head and shoulders above,” said Select Board Chair Jordan Collyer.