SUNDERLAND — After negotiations with the first candidate for police chief fell through, the Selectboard has decided to offer the job to a second applicant.
About a month ago, the town began talking to current Shutesbury Chief Thomas E. Harding after offering him the job.
“His decision was not to accept our offer,” said Selectman Scott Bergeron.
During a recent meeting, the board voted to offer the position to a second candidate, former Barre Police Chief Erik Demotropoulos. Monson police Sgt. Jane Jalbert was also considered for the position.
Since the meeting, Sherry Patch, town administrator, said she has contacted Demotropoulos, who responded that he is interested in negotiating for the position.
Demotropoulos was one of three candidates recommended to the selectmen by a search committee created after the retirement of former Police Chief Jeffrey Gilbert earlier this year.
During the time the department has been without a chief, Sgt. Brendan Lyons has been in charge.
Bergeron, who represented the town during negotiations with Harding, said the two sides couldn’t agree on the financial details.
“The negotiations broke down when we came to total compensation package,” Bergeron said. “Everyone understands that it’s just business. It’s just the way it is.
Thomas Fydenkevez, chair of the selectmen, said circumstances change and, even though the board initially gravitated toward Harding, Demotropoulos is also a good fit.
“Both remaining (candidates) that were presented to us come highly recommended to us from the search committee,” Fydenkevez continued.
The board chose Harding at least partially because of his knowledge of the area, not because he was more qualified than the other candidates.
In the meantime, Lyons said officers have had to work extra shifts to fill staffing voids in the absence of a chief and the recent departure from the department of another full-time police officer. Recently, the full-time position was filled by a former part-time officer.
“The part-timers and full-timers have stepped up since Chief Gilbert left,” he said. “We’re doing very well, (despite) a lot of extra shifts.”
You can reach Andy Castillo
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