Clarksburg Board Suspends Police Operations With Chief's Retirement
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday voted to suspend police operations in the town of 1,700 at the end of shift on Friday.
That's when Police Chief Michael Williams will retire after 40 years on the force, the last 21 as chief.
Officials have been debating for weeks about the future of the Police Department, which has declined at this point to Williams and a single part-time officer.
"I think we have to transition to State Police," said board member Colton Andrews.
Fellow member Daniel Haskins agreed: "I don't see any alternatives at the moment."
Officials had researched several options: hire a new chief, contract with North Adams, or depend on State Police, as do a number of other small towns.
"North Adams was not feasible," said Chair Robert Norcross.
The board members felt the figures they were quoted for coverage were too onerous. But they also discussed whether the town would support a chief and possibly a full-time officer.
They advertised for a police chief and over the last several weeks interviewed three candidates — an officer from Deerfield, the part-time chief in the town of Washington and the town's only officer.
The Deerfield and Washington candidates were felt to be too far away and neither indicated they would relocate. The part-time officer fell short of qualifications — he would need 2,400 hours of training or on-the-job experience to be certified under the state's new regulations.
That left the board with little choice but to transition to State Police coverage, at least for now.
Williams said the town's been relying on the State Police for the weekends while the part-time officer averages about five hours a week.
At one point, the department also had a part-time sergeant and four to six part-time officers. Williams argued unsuccessfully for a full-time officer in 2019.
On Monday, the board asked Williams if he'd stay on part time as an administrative chief — able to process firearms permits — and continue as emergency management director.
He agreed pending an agreement on salary and hours. What he didn't think he could do as a paper chief is supervise an officer when board members raised that idea.
"The [administrative] police chief is basically a civilian role," he said.
He would not be able to accept a part-time post until after Oct. 15; the emergency management director is a volunteer position.
The board spent some time going over the chief's duties, how those gaps could be filled and the securing of existing police materials. Williams said he and Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau had been looking into aspects such as elections, which now require a police presence. One option could be appointing a constable for the purpose.
The police chief's last official action may be escorting Pvt. First Class Erwin King, whose body is being returned to the Berkshires 82 years after he was killed in combat at Guadalcanal. The procession is expected to stop at Town Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony at about 3 p.m. before heading Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home.
In other business:
• Norcross reported that about 10 people attended the digital equity information session on Saturday and spent about an hour and half discussing internet needs and setting priorities.
• Town Administrator Carl McKinney told the board National Grid would not take down the large pine near the library. A tree fell on the building earlier this year and officials are concerned the pine may also cause damage. Its removal may have to go out to bid.
National Grid is switching out all the streetlights to 25-watt LED bulbs, McKinney said. "We are going to save several thousand dollars on our electric bill."
• A Department of Public Works post is still open. Town meeting authorized adding a fourth person this May. McKinney said he is going back through applicants but the job may have to advertised again.
• The board voted to end COVID-19 sick time. The time had been counted outside of personal/sick time during the pandemic to prevent the virus's spread. But Haskins noted that the state had eliminated this extra sick time more than two years ago.
• Norcross questioned a house being disconnected from the sewer system and North Adams not being informed. McKinney said a permit is required to disconnect and that the highway foreman has to witness it. An updated list is sent to the city each year but the board asked that any disconnection be immediately forwarded.
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