ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen are preparing for a regional search for a new police chief.

On Friday, Police Chief Donald Poirot submitted his decision to retire and on Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen met to discuss how to replace him.

The board will create a search committee including one selectman, a law enforcement professional from outside of the town, and about three others. The Selectmen are expected to appoint the committee members next week.

The committee will narrow the candidates down to three or so finalists, which will be publicly interviewed by the board.

"I think the position is worthy of a regional search," Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said.

The position will be advertised in the entire region but will also be open to those already in the department. However, the board isn't looking to advertise in larger cities because the pay scale wouldn't compete. The position currently pays between $60,000 and $80,000, which is in the bottom third of the state for the position, according to Butler.

"Our pay scale isn't going to pull people from out of the region," Butler said.

The committee will sort through and interview the candidates. Selectman John Duval added that he would like the committee to do site visits to the communities the candidates come from.

The model is similar to what Dalton used in its recent search, for which Poirot participated as part of that advisory committee. Adams will also reach out to neighboring towns to find a chief to help.

While Poirot's last day will be April 26, the board expects the search to take at least three months. The board will ask Poirot for a recommendation of someone in the department who can serve as acting chief until a replacement is found.

"I don't know if we can do our due diligence and have a new chief in two months," Butler said.

The town hasn't had to search for a police chief in recent memory; at least the last four chiefs, including Poirot, were promoted from within the department. Butler said he was unsure how previous chiefs were appointed.

"I don't want to overlook the staff we have in the Police Department," Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington said. "I don't want it to look like we are looking outside because we don't think there is anyone qualified. I know we have a least a couple people in that department who are well qualified."