Selectmen Hope to Have New Police Chief by Late November

STOUGHTON, MA — The search criteria for the next Stoughton police chief is expected to be approved next week.

During the Oct. 4 selectmen meeting, the board decided to vote on the posting's description on Oct. 18, post by Oct. 19, close the posting on Oct. 28, and aim to have a new police chief by the end of November.

Selectman Robert O’Regan mulled potentially allowing outside candidates to apply, but the board, who voted to keep the search in-house, quickly shot it down.

The 2010 posting will be used as a template, but changes are expected to the years of experience, pay, and command experience. The original posting called for 15 years of experience, at least seven years of supervisory experience, the rank of lieutenant, and a pay range of $89,889 to $117,059.

“I wouldn’t hire someone with one or two years experience but if you have six or seven, you know how to do the job,” Chairman David Sousa said.

O’Reagan pointed out that other communities often requires several years of experience but Selectman Peter Brown said that not opening the position to the sergeants would restrict the application pool.

Former Chief Paul Shastany stepped down earlier this year. Lt. Donna McNamara has served as the interim chief.

Image: File Photo