WESTBOROUGH – Todd Minardi is officially the interim police chief.
During its meeting on June 27, the Select Board approved his employment agreement, which includes allowances for clothing and fitness.
The interim contract will run for three months, with renewal periods for a maximum of one year.
Minardi will replace Jeff Lourie, who will become the next police chief for Falmouth.
Whether Minardi will be named permanent chief or if the town will conduct an external search was the focus of a long discussion among board members.
Member Patrick Welch made a motion to form a seven-person search committee, with Shelby Marshall seconding his motion.
“It’s important to go out there and identify possible candidates,” said Welch.
He argued that an external search is a “time-tested” process to get the best candidate.
“An external search is the best way,” said Marshall.
Member Ian Johnson said he supports the promotional process formed when Lourie became chief five years ago.
“He [Minardi] has shown everything I need to see,” he said. “He deserves a promotion.”
“We have a viable candidate,” said board member Allen Edinberg.
After further discussion, the board voted, 3-2, to not form the search committee; Welch and Marshall supported the motion, while Johnson, Edinberg and Chair Sean Keogh voted against it.
The board also decided to keep the possibility of forming a search committee for a future meeting.
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