The town has gotten 53 applications since posting the police chief's job opening and 25 of them are from in-state applicants, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco told the Town Council Tuesday.
"Things are moving along pretty well," Maniscalco said.
The application window closed on Monday, he added, and he will soon begin reviewing the applications and then conducting interviews with the help of a council subcommittee. The town expects to hire a new chief by May to replace Chief Matthew Reimondo, who retired Jan. 30. Reimondo was rehired to serve as interim chief until a permanent new chief is found.
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In a related move, the council on Tuesday approved amending the town's pension plan to bar any temporary employees from participating in the plan. The vote was needed because Reimondo, who is the town's only temporary employee, retired under an early retirement agreement with the town that bars him from being rehired and participating in the plan.
The amendments were made retroactive to Reimondo's retirement date.
"Essentially he can not double-dip, he can not accrue additional pension benefits," Mansicalco said.
Council Republican also questioned the legality of the amendments and why they were not made before Reimondo retired. Council Vice-chairman Glenn Suprono said the town's attorney has issued a letter stating the retroactive amendments are legal.
"It's been scrubbed by legal and it’s clean," Suprono said. He brushed aside addition concerns Hintz sought to raise by calling for a vote on the pension issue, saying "I think your question has been asnwered."
