New police chief expected to be hired by November

Plymouth vendor chosen to aid internal search

‘We are excited to fill this permanent position because of its importance to the community.’
— Sandy Pooler

UPDATED, Sept. 30: Arlington aims to hire a new police chief by early November, and the selection process is underway.

Caryn Malloy, town personnel director, wrote Sept. 30 that the vendor chosen to aid in the process is Badgequest of Plymouth. It is run by Robert J. Pomeroy, a former Plymouth police chief.
  
The quote for services indicates the fees depend on the number of candidates who are assessed. As many as five candidates will amount to $7,500, she wrote.

With the vendor, the position has been posted internally, and closes Friday. Arlington police officers are invited to apply who meet the criteria: master’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, public administration or related field; 10 years of progressively responsible experience; and five years of increasingly responsible command experience.

Only Arlington officers are eligible, because the police chief position is no longer part of the Civil Service system, as voted by Town Meeting last May. However, under the previous Civil Service system, only police captains were eligible; now any officer who meets the requirements can apply.

The new hiring process includes a selection panel, which will make recommendations, and community stakeholders who interview the candidates. The selection panel will then make the final appointment.

The selection panel, led by Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, includes Deputy Town Manager Sandy Pooler, a law enforcement official chosen by Chapdelaine (such as the current chief of another Massachusetts municipality) and Human Resources Director Caryn Malloy.

Community stakeholders include the Arlington public schools, Human Rights Commission, Disability Commission, Diversity Task Group, Rainbow Commission, Mystic Valley NAACP, and members of the recovery and immigrant communities.

The police chief’s role is to plan, organize, direct and supervise the police department, reflective of the community’s values, to provide unbiased, just, effective and efficient law enforcement; protect life and property; prevent crime; control traffic; obtain evidence; and apprehend those suspected of violating the law.

This position became vacant last January after Police Chief Fred Ryan retired, and has since been filled by Acting Chief of Police Juliann Flaherty.

“We are excited to fill this permanent position because of its importance to the community,” said Pooler, at the Sept. 23 Select Board meeting.

“I appreciate moving forward with hiring,” said Board member Steve DeCourcey.

Police department recent accomplishments

Now wrapping up her stint as acting chief, Flaherty commended the police under her command for the following:

• Professional development: Partnered with the FBI and school department to provide active shooter response training.
• De-escalation training: Integrated communication, assessment and tactics. Arlington is one of the first communities in the state to provide such training.
• Work with Rainbow Commission: Established trust and partnerships with the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Community policing: Hosted “coffee with a cop” and “pizza in the park” activities, which provided opportunities for residents to meet and talk with police officers.
• Bike safety: Took children for a ride on bike path and taught bike safety.
• Gun-buyback program: Collected 28 unwanted firearms from residents. (This was in addition to the 150 guns collected in the two previous buyback programs.)
• Homeless outreach program: Routinely visited the at-risk homeless population, to get them housing. “This summer the police department got a grant for a six-year homeless person, and brought him to his new house, which was a great success,” said Flaherty.

“We appreciate the great work of the police and fire departments, and their coalition with the Health and Human Services commission, in working with the homeless. They communicate and educate, and show a willingness to offer services,” said Select Board Chair Diane Mahon.

“These programs entail a lot of hours and a lot of work, and I appreciate it,” said board member Dan Dunn.

“I appreciate the partnerships with the schools, especially the new school resource officer,” said board member Joe Curro.

State Sen. Cindy Friedman, who attended the meeting, added, “They do incredible work regarding substance-use disorder and mental health. We’re incredibly lucky to have police and fire departments that believe in treatment, and are willing to expand their skills so they can treat people who suffer from these illnesses. They’re taking care of people in such profound ways, and this doesn’t happen across the Commonwealth.”

New fire chief welcomed Fire Chief Kevin Kelley on Sept. 23. / Susan Gilbert photo

Arlington’s new fire chief, Kevin Kelley, was officially welcomed at the Select Board meeting. Kelley was appointed in July following the June retirement of Chief Robert Jefferson. 

The fire chief oversees more than 70 firefighters and civilian personnel, and coordinates fire department activities in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and local bylaws. The chief also serves as the town’s emergency-management coordinator.

Devoted to Arlington

“I’ve dedicated my life to this town, and want to thank Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine for his confidence in hiring me as fire chief,” said Kelley.

Kelley grew up in Arlington and attended school here, graduating from Arlington High in 1983.

He then served as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force, honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant, and afterward attended UMass./Lowell, graduating in 1992 with a bachelor of science in management.

In May 1994, Kelley was appointed to the Arlington Fire Department. “I’ve served for 25 years, and now I stand before you as chief.”

Kelley sees opportunity in his new role. “I’m looking for new ways to use technology to improve and streamline the department; more collaboration with other departments, such as the police and Board of Health, in our community programs; and the use of social media. However, before making any significant changes, I’ll take time to speak with the members of my department and Town Hall.”

“There’s been change at the top, but no change in the fire department’s dedication and compassion.”

Town wins ‘Green Communities’ grant

Arlington received a $98,052 grant as part of the Department of Energy Resources’ “Green Communities” program.

The town is using this grant to implement energy-reduction initiatives at the Ottoson Middle School, Bishop Elementary School and the Jefferson Cutter House, said Pooler.

For more information, see the Sept. 20 YourArlington report >> 

Renewable-energy decision postponed

The board will decide at its next meeting, Oct. 7, whether to sign a nonbinding resolution to support an act for “utility transition to using renewable energy” (Future Act). The goal is to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy for safety, health and climate protection.

The bill, currently in front of the state House and Senate (H.2849/S.1940), has more than 45 sponsors, and received strong recommendations by gas leaks allies and 28 organizations, including Mothers Out Front and the Sierra Club.

“Massachusetts has the second oldest fossil fuel infrastructure, and needs to be replaced. Despite all the repairs, Arlington now has 300 gas leaks. The Future Act is a critical tool in fighting climate change,” said Bee Jay Bates, Mothers Out Front member.

“Signing the report is consistent with Arlington’s strong record of leadership,” advised Brucie Moulton, Mothers Out Front co-coordinator.

Board member John Hurd said, “We certainly want to endorse this, but it’d be wise to put it into the next meeting’s agenda, to allow us time to read what we’re voting on.”

Mass Hole Donuts to open next month

Who doesn’t love doughnuts?

A wide selection of gourmet doughnut holes will soon be available at 2 Lake St., as unanimously approved by the board.

Hours will be Thursday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and eventually expand to Tuesday through Sunday. Mass Hole Donuts will also provide catering, including coffee and potentially slushes in the summer.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have found a location here in Arlington,” said owner Alexander Mansfield.

Bus priority lane to be permanent Oct. 7

The bus priority lane, piloted in fall 2018 in East Arlington, will be permanently installed on Mass. Ave. during the week of Oct. 7, running from Varnum Street to the Alewife Brook Parkway.

“Permanent marking will allow buses during the morning to run down that direction and speed up that commute,” said Pooler.

For more information, see the Sept. 19 YourArlington report >>  

New rosters and recent appointments

The board unanimously approved the following:

• Sustainable Transportation Committee roster ― To create a plan to develop Arlington’s transportation system over the next 20 years. The 12-member committee includes representatives from the town manager’s office, Transportation Advisory Committee, Parking Advisory Committee, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Department of Planning & Community Development, Health & Human Services Department, Department of Public Works, Police Department, Disability Commission, Walking in Arlington, East Arlington Livable Streets and the Arlington business community.
• Complete Count Committee roster ― To increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the upcoming 2020 Census. The four-member committee includes two leaders, a community advocate and a local resident.
• Andy Rubinson appointment to the LGBTQIA+ Commission (term expires 6/30/2022). “I bring strong experience in community activities, and am a member of the national Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign,” said Rubinson.

Special requests

The board unanimously approved the following special requests:

• One-day all-alcohol license, Robbins Memorial Town Hall, private event, Oct. 5;
• One-day beer and wine license, Whittemore Robbins House, private event, Oct. 6;
• One-day beer and wine license, Robbins Memorial Town Hall, private event, Oct. 12;
• Three-day all-alcohol license, St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church, “Opa Kouzina,” Oct. 18 to 20.

July 22, 2019: Kelley named fire chief following Jefferson’s retirement

This news summary, by YourArlington freelance writer Susan Gilbert, was published Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, and updated Sept. 30.