By W. Zachary Malinowski
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- In a unanimous 5-to-0 vote, the City Council approved the appointment of Brendan P. Doherty as the chairman of the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility governing board.
Doherty, former Rhode Island State Police superintendent and failed Republican candidate for Congress last fall, attended the special meeting in the City Council chambers.
Doherty replaces Steven T. Hartford, the Westerly town manager, who was appointed chairman in September 2011.
The Wyatt jail has been averaging about 616 prisoners so far this year, about 35 prisoners short of what's needed to keep the facility in the black.