ROYALSTON –The appointment of Templeton Police Sgt. Steven Flis as Royalston’s first full-time police chief became official last week with the signing of the contract.

Royalston’s Selectboard met with Flis on Tuesday, March 24, to finalize the five-year contract. The new chief will earn just over $101,000 in his first year, according to board member Linda Alger.

Flis takes over for retiring Chief Curtis Deveneau, who has been a member of the town’s police force for 39 years, 30 of which as part-time chief. Flis will be sworn in on Tuesday, March 31.

Last September, Royalston voters approved a Proposition 2 ½ override of $173,000 to hire a full-time police chief and one full-time officer.

“My number one priority is definitely to hire the full-time guy (officer),” Flis said. “That’s definitely the top priority. The people voted for that. I want to thank the people for voting for that and for supporting the police department….The first thing we need to do is hire that person so we can cover some shifts.”

Flis completed the police academy in 2002 and earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Mount Wachusett Community College in 2003.

“I was a self-sponsor at the police academy; I put myself through,” he said. “Once out of the academy, I worked a short time in Atkinson, New Hampshire. When a job opened up in Templeton, I applied and took a job here and I’ve been here ever since.”

Flis has also worked as a school resource officer for the Narragansett Regional School District for seven years, sharing the duties with another officer. He’ll step down as SRO once his job in Royalston begins.

“Being at the school was great,” he said. “It’s one of the most favorite things I’ve done in my career,” he added. “In 2013 I was promoted to sergeant (in Templeton) and have held that position ever since.”

Flis also serves as lead instructor at the Marlborough Police Academy, where he has worked for the last seven years, and will continue in that role while working as the Royalston Police Chief.

“I’m in charge of the staff instructors there,” he said, “and I help the director with everyday duties, and I will continue to do that while teaching. It’s a big part of what I do.”

A native of Templeton, Flis graduated from Narragansett Regional High School in 1997. His grandparents owned Flis’ Market, a popular neighborhood convenience store in Baldwinville. Flis said he became interested in a career in law enforcement at an early age.

“All the local police officers used to come into the store,” he said. “I got to know all of them and they were such good people; I always admired them. So, I felt that was a good career to get into. But it was really those guys coming into the family market that got me hooked. They definitely talked me into it.

“I love the town of Templeton,” said Flis. “I’ve had a great run here, but I’m excited for a new chapter in my career.”