Since the retirement of former Police Chief Gary Wickland in June 2015, Chesterfield has been searching for a successor.
Wickland officially retired last June 30 after having been with the department since 1970 and serving as part-time chief since 1985.
Williamsburg Police Chief Denise Wickland, daughter of the former Chesterfield chief and a sergeant in the Chesterfield Police Department, has stepped in as acting chief until a permanent replacement can be found.
In April, town officials thought they were about to hire a new chief, but that fell through.
“We received nine applications the first time we advertised the position and the job was offered to one candidate, but they decided not to take the position,” Town Administrator Sue Labrie said.
The position was advertised a second time, but according to Labrie, no applications had been received by Thursday’s deadline.
“I haven’t been to the post office yet today, but as of right now, we have no applications,” Labrie said on Thursday. “We were hoping to attract a local candidate who may currently be a sergeant or lieutenant in another department.”
The Chesterfield Police Department has four part-time officers and the interim chief, who Labrie said serves only in an administrative capacity.
“I was hoping to see a lot more interest in the position. Chesterfield is a great town to work for,” Denise Wickland said.
Wickland said that this would be the first full-time position for the Chesterfield department in any capacity. She suggested that part of the problem in attracting a qualified candidate may be that it is a newly created job so there is “nothing to compare it to,” and no full-time chief for candidates to talk with.
“I have been working in Chesterfield for so long assisting my father that being acting chief has gone pretty smoothly,” Wickland said. “There haven’t been many problems except the time constraints on my end because I already have a full-time career.”
Labrie noted that the Select Board may have to revise how the job description is written.
“It may be that we have to look at the requirements of the position. But at this point, without talking to the Select Board, I can’t say what our next step will be if we don’t get any qualified applicants,” Labrie said.
The Worthington Swim Club is inviting the public to an open house from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. People are invited to stop in to see the facilities, and enjoy a free swim, a soft drink and a snack.
The pool came close to closing this year when declining membership and increased expenses threatened to make it financially impossible to operate.
However, after the community rallied to support the swim club, enough money was received to allow the pool to remain open during the summer. Still, the shoestring budget will not provide for a lifeguard this year.
On behalf of the Worthington Swim Club board of directors, Janet Dimock thanked the community for its support.
The Chesterfield Council On Aging will host the last spring dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Community Center at 400 Main Road.
The Falltown String Band will provide live music and Sadie Stuhl will call the square, circle and contra dances.
Everyone is welcome to this family event for all ages.
Beginners are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring something for a raffle table.
Admission for adults is $8, and $4 for children under 15. For more information call 413-296-4743.
The Cummington Historical Commission invites the public to an open house and ribbon-cutting from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Old Parsonage at 38 Main St.
The commission oversees the Kingman Tavern Museum, which includes a 14-room house, a two-story historic barn, a cider mill, carriage shed and the Old Parsonage.
The recently renovated parsonage is still in need of a little work, but the Historical Commission said it is time to show off the restorations.
Handicapped parking is available on site with additional parking at the Kingman Tavern at 41 Main St.
The Kingman Tavern Museum’s summer season will begin from 2 to 5 p.m. July 9.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.