The town received two responses to its request for proposals for consulting firms that will aid the Select Board in the search for a police chief.
The two firms, Parow Consulting & Associates and Municipal Resources Inc., have been invited to be interviewed by the Select Board at its meeting on Oct. 10.
“Interviewing is part of the selection criteria,” said Town Administrator Patrice Garvin. “After you interview them, we’ll walk you through the criteria in the RFP to hopefully make your decision that evening.”
In the meantime, she said, the portal to receive applicants for the screening committee will open, with the hope that a screening committee will be appointed by or around Oct. 20.
The search for a new police chief follows the resignation in August of former Police Chief James MacIsaac, who had been with the department in various roles since 1990. The Select Board appointed then-Assistant Police Chief Mark Hurley as the interim chief. His appointment was effective Aug. 25.
Previous Coverage
Addressing questions she’s received about spending money on a consultant rather than hiring from within the department, Garvin said policing has changed a lot in 30 years, and outside expertise is necessary.
“It’s an administrative position. It encompasses a lot more skill set,” she said. “A consultant really helps guide us through that process, not only to do assessments … but through recruitment. Not that there aren’t most likely internal candidates; we just have that vetting process.”
Select Board Chair Matt Taylor added that these firms specialize in searches like this and know the market and what to look for in a candidate.
Select Board member Elizabeth Dionne noted that MacIsaac was also hired with the help of a consultant.
“I am not qualified to assess somebody’s ability to be a police chief,” she said.
Once a firm is hired and the search committee is appointed, the focus can then shift to the search for a new chief.
