Chief Michael Williams explains that Peter Wheeler had asked to be returned to patrol officer because of other endeavors.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board approved a swap of jobs and salaries for two of its police officers on Wednesday.
Sgt. Peter Wheeler asked to be demoted to patrol officer, and Sherry Burdick was promoted in his place.
"Officer Wheeler had made the request as he has future endeavors that he is pursuing and he would like to assist in the transition of the sergeant," said Police Chief Michael Williams in presenting the request.
Wheeler is preparing to open a cafe in the former Oh, Crepe! space on Main Street in North Adams that will take up much of his time.
"Sgt. Wheeler has done an exemplary job in his position and has served the last four years as sergeant," Williams said.
Burdick, he said, had the background experience to handle the sergeant's post. Burdick studied criminal justice at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, N.Y., and has worked as a campus police officer at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts since 2002. She also has been a part-time officer with the North Adams Police Department and, since 2010, with the Clarksburg force.
"I believe that she has full knowledge of policy and procedures and will do a fine job in that position," said Williams.
The board voted to swap the officers' positions — both rank and salary — effective immediately.
"Thank you, Sgt. Wheeler for your four years of service. It's a great job you've done," said Chairman Jeffrey Levanos. "And congratulations Ms. Burdick on your promotion and I look forward to working with you."
Town Administrator Carl McKinney said the town is awaiting announcements on the Green Communities designation, which should occur as soon as all the applicants have fully completed their applications. The town had to meet several benchmarks, including an energy audit and passage of a stretch building code, to apply for the designation and grant funding. Once approved, it can reapply over a five-year period.
"I think we're in really good shape," he said. "We will use state dollars to do energy improvements to the town buildings and facilities, and energy consumption items. ...
"LED street lighting is one of the things I would like to tackle. It uses more electricity than even the elementary school does."
In other business, the board was informed that the senior citizen work program would have a reduction in hours to accommodate the raise in the state minimum wage from $10 to $11. Seniors were working up to two hours a week for the town, up to 100 hours, to get a $1,000 discount off their taxes. That will now be one hour and 45 minutes a week up to 90.9 hours.
