By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer
Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon (File photo)
Westborough – Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon has recently given written notice that he intends to retire Jan. 31, 2018. According to the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen is required to establish a Search Committee to fill this position.
Town Manager Jim Malloy said at the board’s Sept. 12 meeting, “Given the time period that it will take to do their work, go through the interview process and then selection, now is the time [to form the committee]. My recommendation, based on what we did with the fire chief [Search Committee], is to include both internal and external people so I suggest along with the town manager, to include a member of the Board of Selectmen, assistant town manager/HR director, the fire chief and three residents.”
There is no determined number of participants on the committee.
Selectmen George Barrette and Denzil Drewry offered their suggestions of who they would like to see included on the Search Committee. Respectively, Barrette suggested the Superintendent of Westborough Schools, Amber Bock, who had expressed an interest because of the relationship between the schools and the Police Department and then Drewry nominated himself because of his military background. Malloy also shared that he had a personal contact with the former head of the State Police who might be a good addition to the committee.
The next step will be an official invitation for persons interested to serve on this committee in the next few weeks so that a list can be presented to the board for their approval. Malloy concluded by saying he will be asking the Police Department staff for input on what they would look for in the next chief of police.
The board voted unanimously to establish a Search Committee, taking into consideration the suggestions for its membership.