CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town will be seeking volunteers to serve on its police chief search committee. 

 

The process of finding, interviewing, and selecting a qualified candidate is expected to take several months. 

 

Interim Police Chief Timothy Garner, who has not accepted a stipend for the post, advocated that the board have a start date after the fiscal year to ensure voters approve the funds for the salary. 

 

"I'm more than happy to stay until the first of the fiscal year. If you want to wait until a budget is in place where you can actually advertise [a salary already approved at town meeting,]" the retired chief said. 

 

"If you do it now and you put somebody in there, what are you going to offer that might go away at town meeting." 

 

The town has been in discussions with the Lanesborough Police Department to explore the feasibility of a merger. 

 

However, after preliminary talks, that appears unlikely. As a result, the board is refocusing its efforts on strengthening its own department.