Former Selectman Jane Donahue has been appointed to the Wareham Housing Authority by Gov. Deval Patrick.

In a letter dated Dec. 19 but made available to the media on Jan. 13, Patrick congratulated Donahue on the appointment.

Patrick wrote in the letter to Donahue: “Congratulations on your appointment to the Wareham Housing Authority. Your commitment to active citizenship is a tremendous asset to your community, to the Commonwealth, and to the challenges we face.”

“I’m honored and privileged to be serving the town’s elderly population. That was always a goal of mine while serving as a Selectman,” said Donahue.

Donahue said her main goal on the Authority’s board will be to expand the number of housing units beyond 104. The Housing Authority’s primary role is to operate the Agawam Village and Redwood Park housing complexes for Wareham senior citizens and disabled adults.

“I understand at one point there were 150 people on a waiting list for housing. That’s not acceptable,” said Donahue. “I want to do the right things for the right reasons, and be honest.”

“I am going into the position with an open mind,” Donahue added.

“We will welcome her on the board, and hope we can all work together to bring the properties up to standard so the people living there can live with dignity,” said Robert Powilatis, acting chair to the Authority, said.

Powilatis said he was unaware of the news before Wareham Week published the story online.

Donahue fills the “state appointee” slot on the agency, succeeding Paul Innis, who resigned last year. As a hybrid agency, the Housing Authority board consists of four members elected by Wareham voters and a fifth appointed by the governor.

In August, Wareham Selectmen had recommended to the governor that he appoint former Finance Committee Chair Donna Bronk to the vacant seat.

“The Board of Selectmen was formally aware of only one applicant, Donna Bronk, whom we unanimously endorsed with a letter of recommendation to the governor this past August,” Teitelbaum said. “In any event, as evidenced by her appointment, it is clear that Mrs. Donahue retains significant influence with state officials.”

“We congratulate her on her new position, and we hope that she is able to parlay her influence into new funding and other state assistance for the Housing Authority,” Teitelbaum added.

Powilatis said after the former State appointee Paul Innis resigned, he was going through town to see if anyone would potentially be interested in filling the position. At a Democratic Town Committee meeting which Donahue attended, he spoke of the open position.

“No one expressed any interest to me. I guess people let it sink in, and spoke to their legislative delegation,” said Powilatis.