ORANGE — That’s Chief Sullivan.
James Sullivan, previously the sergeant and designated second-in-command for the Orange Police Department, became acting police chief this week, being sworn in at a Selectboard meeting that also saw the creation of a search committee that will screen applicants for a permanent chief.
Sullivan replaces Craig Lundgren, whose resignation became effective Friday. Lundgren announced his resignation in January and said he would offer whatever assistance he can in helping the town find a permanent police chief.
“The underlying goal is to share our heartfelt thanks to Chief Craig Lundgren for his 38 years of service to the town,” said Selectboard Chairman Ryan Mailloux.
“The town of Orange has given me an incredible time for the last 38 years. It would not have been possible without the people by our side,” said Lundgren, other officers in the Police Department standing by his side.
Lundgren has spent half of his time as police chief in neighboring Athol since November, in a deal between the two towns that was set to expire in June. He has not commented on whether or not he will have an increased role in Athol since resigning in Orange, and he has not resigned as Athol police chief.
“We entrusted (Sullivan) to lead our department during this agreement with Athol, and have full confidence he will continue to lead the department successfully,” Selectboard Vice Chairwoman Jane Peirce said previously, adding that Sullivan has performed police chief duties while Lundgren was in Athol or took time off.
The search committee for a permanent police chief will consist of Police Department Administrative Assistant Brenda Anderson; Trish Barnes, the town’s human resources representative; Ashburnham Police Chief Larry Barrett; Town Administrator Gabriele Voelker and Stow Town Administrator Bill Wrigley, also a candidate for the Orange Selectboard.
“It is important we emphasize the confidentiality of the work,” Peirce said.
The search committee will be giving the Selectboard a list of finalists, who will be interviewed before the Selectboard chooses whom to hire. There is no particular timetable for this process, but the Selectboard members decided the search committee should update them regularly.
Selectboard member James Cornwell said people have reached out to him wondering if Wrigley, who is expected to become the fifth Selectboard member after Monday’s town election, should serve on the search committee because of the possibility of a conflict of interest. Cornwell said he has talked with the town attorney and is confident that there is no conflict of interest, adding the search committee’s job and the Selectboard’s job are “totally separate.”
The job advertisement for police chief will be posted for three weeks with the Mobile Marketing Association, a nonprofit group representing various trades and fields.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com