Mayor Says No Backup Plan If State Denies Waiver For Police Chief

BRAINTREE, MA — There's no Plan B if the state does not grant a work waiver for Braintree Police Chief Paul Shastany, Mayor Joseph Sullivan said Wednesday.

Sullivan and Shastany were at the State House in Boston to testify in front of the Joint Committee on Public Service. Shastany has been the interim police chief since last fall when he was pulled out of retirement by Sullivan following the Braintree Police Department evidence room scandal. He has since been asked by Sullivan to be the permanent chief.

"I want to continue the work I started. I was asked to come from retirement, where I was living happily ever after, and return to the field I love," Shastany said, "I am not a selfish person. I am not here because I am looking for benefit."

The billed filed in the legislature and sponsored by State Senator John Keenan and State Rep. Mark Cusack, would waive the cap and allow him to remain Braintree's top cop through November 2019, when he turns 65. State law limits the amount of public work retired public employees can do. So far, Shastany has logged over 80 days of work this year with the 120-day limit approaching.

When asked what would happen if the state didn't pass the waiver, Sullivan said there is no backup plan.

"This would be the best course of action," Sullivan said.

Below is the full bill:

Image: File Photo