Chief of Police Interviews at BoS meeting

Board of Selectmen Meeting...

The March 13th Board of Selectmen meeting was moved to the MHS Library because of issues with the Town Hall elevator. Not everyone was aware of the move, so the meeting started a bit late to allow for people to arrive.

Candidate Michelle Guerette, currently Captain in the Providence RI force, arrived early and was friendly and cordial as she introduced herself and chatted with the few people prior to the meeting who had also arrived early.

At 7pm, the room was filled with approximately the same number of people at Tuesday's meeting, mainly Medfield residents and members of the Medfield Police Department.

Once the meeting commenced, Chairman, Mike Marcucci explained the process for the interviews, also mentioning that the order of the interviews was chosen by lottery that morning and Guerette would be the first. The BoS would ask questions, but if any member of the audience wanted to submit a question, they were given the opportunity to do so by writing it on a note card and giving it to Evelyn or Kristine to be handed to Marcucci to consider. There would be no questions to the candidates from the audience.

Guerette was introduced by Bob Conlon, Chair of the Police Search Committee and began her interview by expressing her condolences to the Town of Medfield for the recent loss of Town Administrator, Mike Sullivan and she went on the thank the Search Committee.

Both candidates were asked many of the same questions relating to problem solving, experience and knowledge of the budgeting process, technology knowledge, challenges they had encountered in their experience, what 3 positives did the candidate see with the MPD and what 3 improvements might they suggest, their biggest failures and "Why Medfield"? They were also asked about their position on gun ownership/permits and license to carry. The entire meeting was shown live on Medfield TV but can also be viewed here!

Candidate, Brian Pichnarcik, currently Deputy Chief in Cheshire CT police force was interviewed next. Pichnarcik was also introduced by Conlon. He had no opening remarks and began by answering questions from the Board of Selectmen.

Both candidates were asked if they would be retiring from their current positions if hired in Medfield. Guerette a 21 year veteran of Providence, Rhode Island and Pichnarcik a 29 year veteran of Cheshire, Conn. both answered "yes".

Both candidates were given approximately an hour for their interview and once completed and no longer present, the BoS gave their impressions and thanked the Search Committee for their dedication to the task and their 7 months of work. The Board of Selectmen's first impressions were that both candidates were good yet very different in their style of management.

Chairman Marcucci was more direct and felt that candidate Guerette was the superior candidate, however, he felt that this was the time to have a further discussion about candidate Deputy Chief John Wilhelmi. He stated clearly that giving more thought to this, he was confident that Wilhelmi would be an excellent Chief. He went on to say that he really didn't know Wilhelmi that well but in reflecting upon how Wilhelmi has dealt with issues as Interim Chief, he is impressed. He followed this up with expressing his frustration about how negative social media has come into play within this process. "I have a facebook account and there has been lots of bad information and vitriol out there!" He went on to say that "This does a disservice to John Wilhelmi!"

In reflecting on Tuesday night's BoS meeting and the many comments by residents and MPD, he referred to those as "respectful and cordial", and based on learning so much about Wilhelmi and hearing comments, he said "I need to seriously consider him."

All three Selectmen felt that based on the 2 interviews, Guerette was the superior candidate, but they were stuggling with making a decision. Based on what they felt they didn't know about Wilhelmi when this process started 7 months ago and how recent events, letters and emails in support of appointing Wilhelm as well as the dedication, leadership, loyalty and the respect he has from his department has given them pause.

Resident John Harney was the first resident to approach the mic and he scolded the Board of Selectmen. "The Board of Selectmen have an obligation to be well informed! You decided, in your wisdom to appoint a committee. The applicant from Hopkinton [Guerette] was very impressive, but is John Wilhelmi entitled to the loyalty of this community?" Selectman Murby responded to these comments referencing "Integrity" but Harney's retort was "Some things are self evident."

Frank Perry, a Medfield resident, "I'm a strong supporter of John Wilhelmi and from all I've heard tonight, even the candidates are saying what a great job he's done. I think you made the appropriate action 7 months ago by starting the Search Committee. I don't think we all knew how John was going to perform over the last 8-9 months. I think he's done an exceptional job. You've done your job [BoS], you guys have done your job [Search Committee] but things have changed and I think your obligation [BoS] is one thing...who is the best person for the Town of Medfield and not have everybody pointing fingers at one another. The citizens are at fault for not rallying around John...I think everybody shares the blame that we are in this position today..."

The BoS allowed for many more questions and comments. Officer Brienze defended the police department after feeling they had been blamed for not being vocal earlier in the process about their support of Wilhelmi. Sgt Anderson spoke about Wilhelmi being his mentor but he was asked if Wilhelmi is chosen, how he would relay that information to the other 2 candidates and he stated, "7 months ago we thought we needed something different, but we now know he's here!"

After many MPD personnel spoke, Mel Seibolt, one of the Search Committee members went to the podium. He thanked the police department for supporting one of their own, and he agreed that Wilhelmi's character is outstanding, but questioned, "Will this be the best? This is not a personality contest!"

Each member of the Board of Selectmen were struggling with how to make a decision and Murby and Peterson wanted to sleep on it. As the meeting was getting very long and the time was getting late, they decided to do some budget talk involving Warrant Committee Chair, Mike Pastore, before going back to the Police Chief issue.

Needing more time, the Board of Selectmen tossed out ideas of meeting on Saturday morning or next week (as they must post an open meeting 48 hours in advance), but ultimately chose next Tuesday, March 19th at 6pm for the next Board of Selectmen meeting and Medfield Police Chief discussion and decision.