Salary cap could limit search for police chief
By Caitlyn Kelleher

Ashby selectmen and finance committee members decided not to increase the ceiling for the police chief's advertised salary after a contentious meeting.

The two boards meet in a working session on Monday, Aug. 21, to try to determine if they would support a request from consultants conducting the search for the new police chief. The consultants have seven finalists for the position but have a favorite one, who would require an $80,000 salary to leave his present job, said Town Administrator Linda Sanders.

"He'll walk away in a flash," Sanders said. "He doesn't need us."

John Rice asked why he would apply for a job with an advertised salary of $65,000 to $70,000, if he wanted more than that. Sanders said the candidate - an experienced police chief and an Ashby resident - was encouraged to apply by Stephen Unsworth, the BadgeQuest consultant hired to conduct the search.

"He's lives in this in this community," Selectman Geoff Woollacott said. "He's lived here all his life. The potential for that kind of longevity is there."

Woollacott and Selectman Gerald Houle supported the increase in possible salary.

"I've seen two police chiefs go," Houle said. "I know what it costs us to get rid of two of them."

Former Chief Steve McClatchy offered his resignation in June, which began a search for a new chief. Selectmen and finance committee members agreed at that time to increase the salary, and it is $15,000 over McClatchy's salary

Unsworth received 74 applications for the position, of which more than 50 percent of those did not meet the minimum requirements, Sanders said.

Unsworth, and Interim Police Chief William George, have narrowed the remaining down to seven candidates. Unsworth, George, McClatchy and Sanders will interviewed these candidates and one will be presented to the selectmen.

"Why are we even having this conversation if we don't know the other candidates," Rice asked.

Sanders said, if the money is not approved then they would not bring this candidate in for an interview.

Concerns from the finance committee members prevented the salary range from being raised at this time.

Dan Meunier said he is concerned about the long-term sustainability of a salary as high as $80,000. The other concern he had was the possible effects on the pay scale matrix they are trying to develop.

"I would feel much more comfortable raising the chief if I knew where everyone else would be on that scale," he said.

Sanders said she did not think that the town could afford the effect on that.

"I'm concerned about what you would have to pay me," Sanders, the highestranking employee in town, said.

Other concerns were whether those who didn't apply for the job would object to the increase by saying if the advertised salary was that high that they would have applied.

Selectman Peter McMurray objected on the principal of the number.

"I don't care if he is the best qualified guy in the world, I don't want to go to $80," he said.

-  -

Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@ aol.com