SHUTESBURY — Shutesbury officials are beginning the search process for a new police chief, opting against entering into a law enforcement partnership with neighboring communities.
With the Select Board naming Sgt. Devon Pelletier to the acting police chief position at its July 17 meeting, after he was already serving as temporary officer in charge since early June, members agreed to move forward with a search for the next permanent chief.
“At this juncture, going ahead with our own police chief makes sense,” said Rita Farrell, who co-chairs the Select Board.
The decision to conduct a search comes after the board placed previous Police Chief Kristin Burgess on leave through the end of June when her contract was set to expire. Burgess had served in the acting and permanent role for about four years.
While Shutesbury has been approached to share police on a contracted basis with Leverett, in a manner similar to how that department serves Wendell, Farrell said that likely wouldn’t save the town money, and Shutesbury officials would also lose control of the department.
Select Board Co-Chairwoman Melissa Makespeace O’Neil said that residents have not supported having a joint police department with Leverett.
“I feel like we should honor the police study group and what our community said it wanted,” Makepeace-O’Neil said.
Pelletier updated the board on the department, noting there is adequate staff for day-to-day operations, including speed patrols, that vehicles are in good shape and he is getting body cameras ready for officers. But there have been issues, including a malfunctioning speed board sign on Pelham Hill Road, and vehicles repeatedly knocking down the stop sign where Prescott Road intersects with Route 202.
Being acting chief allows Pelletier to stay up to date on law enforcement matters by attending regional and statewide police chiefs meetings and getting support from colleagues. He also can hire staff and has more legal authority as acting chief.
Town Administrator Hayley Bolton said being acting chief also means a clear chain of command in the department.
In other business, the Select Board began a discussion about forming a reuse committee for the M.N. Spear Memorial Library, the 700-square foot building in town center that is being replaced by a modern library under construction on Leverett Road.
Farrell said potential reuses for municipal purposes would be explored, with an assessment of needs that exist at Town Hall, as well. A recommendation would come to the Select Board.
Since the building is owned by the town and any improvements likely would cost money, action by Town Meeting would take place in the future.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
