SOUTHAMPTON — The Select Board has agreed on a contract with Police Chief Michael Goyette, a 30-year veteran of the department.

The three-year pact provides Goyette with an annual salary of $95,000, 33 days vacation and five days of personal time. He is expected to work at least 40 hours per week, plus any additional time needed to meet the needs of the Police Department’s around-the-clock operation.

Goyette, who lives in Southampton as he is required to do, is permitted to use his official vehicle for personal reasons within its borders, according to the contract completed June 30.

Town Administrator Heather Budrewicz said Goyette is likely the first police chief in town history to have a contract. The employment terms for previous chiefs were based on the personnel policies for town employees.

“Chief (David G.) Silvernail and the board had talked about it (signing a contract) a few times, but they never pursued it,” Budrewicz said.

Goyette was appointed interim police chief after Silvernail retired in October. Silvernail had held the position since 1999, the same amount of time that Goyette served as lieutenant.

Goyette was appointed to the permanent position by the Select Board after the board narrowed  a pool of applicants to Goyette and then-sergeant Ian Illingswoth, who has since been promoted to lieutenant.

Silvernail would have earned a total of $104,000 the year of his retirement, but he retired before the end of the year, Budrewicz said.

During the 2015 calendar year, Goyette earned $90,070, which included his hourly wages, overtime, educational incentives and outside detail, the last of which is not paid for by the town. 

Goyette is ineligible for overtime as chief and an educational incentive is built in to his annual salary.

Goyette has an associate degree and has said he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree. He has completed the state Criminal Justice Training Academy and an FBI leadership training program.

He worked as a police officer in Northampton and Williamsburg before joining the Southampton department. He was promoted to sergeant in 1996 and lieutenant three years later. He also has served as the DARE officer at Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton.

Attempts to reach Goyette for comment were unsuccessful during the past week. 

Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.