Robert Iafrate, who has worked as the building commissioner in Lakeville for six years, will become Wareham's next director of inspectional services.

"He's got extensive experience as a building official, and he's been highly recommended by Dave Moore," who has served as interim building inspector while the town searched for a permanent, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan told the Selectmen on Tuesday. "He was unanimously the top prospect."

The town has been without a permanent director of inspectional services since Myles Burke was fired in August, 2012.

Burke was terminated by then Interim Town Administrator John Foster for "failure to obtain the required minimum qualifications for your position."

Burke, who was hired by former Town Administrator Mark Andrews in 2010, had been given 18 months from the date of his hire to obtain the necessary certification from the state, but failed to do so in his two-and-a-half years on the job.

Iafrate is already certified.

Burke attempted to take the required tests to become certified, but according to the state Building Official Certification Committee, he lacked the required five years of experience in supervising building construction or design, thus disqualifying him from even taking the test.

Burke appealed the decision twice, and each time the committee's decision was upheld.

Sullivan praised interim director Moore for the service he provided while the town searched for someone to fill the position permanently.

"Mr. Moore has done an excellent job of catching us up and keeping us out of trouble," said Sullivan.