SUNDERLAND — After months of searching, and one candidate who turned down the position, the town is still looking for a new police chief.
Scott Bergeron, a member of the Select Board who is leading negotiations, said Monday that the town is continuing to negotiate with former long-time Barre Police Chief Erik Demetropoulos for the position. After an initial meeting, Bergeron said he will meet with Demetropoulos again on Friday.
Select Board Chairman Thomas Fydenkevez said Demetropoulos is a good fit for the town’s needs.
Following the retirement of former police chief Jeffrey Gilbert earlier this year, the town offered the position to current Shutesbury police chief Thomas Harding. The Shutesbury chief turned down the position because he and the town could not agree on logistics.
According to a video of Barre’s Select Board meeting March 28, a consultant recommended that the town not renew Demetropoulos’ contract as chief because, in a large part, he was too nice to take control of the department.
The Barre Select Board unanimously voted not to renew his contract.