WILTON – Officials said Tuesday they are looking for individuals to serve on a committee to help find a new police chief.
Anyone interested should contact Town Manager Peter Nielsen at the town office at 645-4961 by Oct. 12.
Longtime Police Chief James Parker retired last month, and officer Ed Leahy is interim chief.
Selectmen decided not to hire the Maine Police Chiefs Association as consultants in the process. Officials and residents at the meeting agreed that the town should be able to do the work themselves.
“We know what we want. We know what they do,” Fire Chief Sonny Dunham said.
Selectman Russ Black said basically the only service the town would receive from the association seems to be picking a committee. Black said the association would charge the town for other services, such as advertising, in addition to the $1,000 consultant fee.
Other officials agreed.
“I wouldn’t be in favor of paying $1,000 for something we can do ourselves,” Selectman Norm Gould said.
The nine-member committee will be charged with determining qualifications and job description, advertising, and other matters in the hiring process. Selectmen Jeff Rowe and Black and Cushing School Principal Paul Gooch have said they will serve on the committee. Nielsen also plans to contact two former police officers who reside in the town to see if they have an interest in serving on the committee. Selectmen will determine the makeup of the committee at their next meeting, Oct. 19.
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