With thunder rumbling in the background, the Board of Selectmen last night interviewed six candidates for promotion in the Southborough Police Department. With what they called a “difficult decision” ahead of them, the board decided to wait a few days before making the call.
Despite a request from Police Chief Jane Moran to make a decision immediately, Selectmen opted not to vote on the candidates last night, saying they had too much information to consider first.
“To delay any longer prolongs the public safety issue,” Moran said. “We need to move on this, and the sooner the better. … We need closure on this.”
Last July selectmen approved Moran’s plan to promote one of the department’s sergeants to the position of lieutenant, and then to backfill the sergeant position by promoting another officer. Two weeks ago, the selectmen voted to promote an additional officer to the rank of sergeant in an effort to fill gaps in the staffing schedule.
Two sergeants interviewed for the lieutenant position last night, and four officers vied for the two sergeant positions. Selectman John Rooney called the candidates “eminently qualified.”
“I’m absolutely blown away,” Rooney said at the conclusion of the interviews. “It’s not going to be an easy decision … any one of you is equally qualified for the position.”
You can read more about the candidates for lieutenant — Sgt. Sean James and Sgt. Ryan Newell — in this article by the Metrowest Daily News.
A meeting to vote on the candidates has not yet been scheduled, but is expected to happen early next week. I’ll let know know when details are available.
Board of Selectmen are meeting Monday, the 6th, 7:00 pm in the Upper Level of Cordaville Hall, 9 Cordaville Road.