There was talk about the need of a new evidence locker, about cleaning up and going through big piles of documents. Apparently ex Chief Gleason kept everything and failed to sort out documents that no longer needed to be on file under the record keeping laws. Sergeant Brian Haughey seems to be the one in charge of doing most of the necessary administrative clean up. Johnson acknowledged the fact byd stating: "You have done an enormous amount of work last week."
During the entire meeting, there was no mentioning of the much talked about planned Tri-Town Police.
The safe keeping of evidence got a lot of attention. Ex Chief Kevin Gleason was the only member of the HPD that had access to the evidence locker. While Gleason was chief, there was no backup person that would have taken over responsibility for the evidence locker in case Gleason could not do it any longer. Wettlaufer, “I would like to see some sort of checks and balances.” Back in 2003, John Moran reported drugs missing out of the evidence locker. Gleason and Moran were the only two individuals who had a key to the evidence locker. The State Police conducted an investigation about the larceny. The scheduled polygraph test was taken by Moran, Gleason rescheduled several times and finally refused to take the test. Despite the fact that Gleason‘s fingerprints were inside the container with the drugs the investigation was terminated and no charges filed. Shortly after, Moran was laid of and Gleason‘s contract as Chief of Police renewed in June of 2003 by James Wettlaufer, Earl Johnson, and Christian Petersen.
Officer Haughey suggested that a separate room would be needed to guarantee privacy and security. As it is right now, the HPD which is located in the basement of the town hall, offers not much of a separation between the office space and the space the public has access to. Just some kind of a narrow counter separates the two areas. The change will be possible at a cost of app. $5000.00.
Wettlaufer asked the three officers, “how do you want to proceed?” Officer Duggen suggested Brian Haughey should be the first in command as he is the one most familiar with the administrative side of the HPD and the only full time officer. A discussion ensued during which it was decided that the Chief‘s responsibilities would be shared among the officers with Lieutenant Moorehouse the first in command carrying the ultimate responsibility for the HPD. However, it was decided not to appoint him as the acting interim Chief of the HPD. Ray Moorehouse became the first lieutenant on the HPD upon the recommendation of ex Chief Gleason back on November 12, 2005.
The selectboard intends to form a search committee. Moorehouse sees the need that at least one member of the committee has a law enforcement background.
Wettlaufer sees the need for another two part time officer to work detail. Haughey wants to institute bike patrols in the summer; the bike is already at the HPD and ready to go. The HPD is working on three grant applications seeking to fund the additional needed part time officers. Duggen, “we need definitely more personnel.”
There was talk of the need to buy an additional cruiser in 2011. At the present time the HPD has three cars.
The selectboard sees a retired law enforcement officer with longtime experience as the new Chief who would work only part time and mostly in his office. The new Chief would work 10 to 14 hours a week but would be on call 24/7.
Selectman Earl Johnson: “We want to get it right this time,” claiming that Jim Foley, Carolyn Reardon, and Paul Foster appointed Kevin Gleason as the Chief of Police. However, records show that he himself together with James Wettlaufer and Christian Petersen appointed Kevin Gleason to the Chief position. Earl Johnson was the chairman of the board at that time. Not only did the three incumbent selectmen appoint Gleason back on September 5, 2002; they reappointed him after his first one year contract expired, and again in 2006. Gleason's contract would have ended in October of this year.
The search committee appointed by the selectboard that selected Kevin Gleason back in 2002 as the top contestant consisted of the three members, Stacy Quinones, Eddie Voloka and Mike the Greek , (Mike Mertzanis, long time owner of the Holland Pizza). Gleason became the acting Chief of the HPD after Donald A. Haapakoski resigned.
Peter Frei