Robert Deschenes III chosen as new Phillipston Police Chief

Templeton Police Officer Robert Deschenes III has been chosen to be the new Phillipston Police Chief.

Templeton Police Officer Robert Deschenes III has been chosen to be the new Phillipston Police Chief. PHOTO BY GREG VINE

By GREG VINE

For the Athol Daily News

Published: 09-22-2024 1:00 PM

PHILLIPSTON – After three months of searching, the town will soon have a new police chief to succeed former Phillipston Police Chief Kevin Dodge.

The town’s Selectboard voted at its meeting Wednesday night to hire Templeton Police Officer Robert Deschenes III, although the choice was not unanimous.

At the start of Wednesday’s deliberations, board Chair Bernie Malouin explained, “We’re looking for somebody who will be a full-time chief in Phillipston. We want somebody who has experience, some experience in the management of people, in budgeting, in grant writing, and we’ve had some good candidates.”

Board member Gerhard Fandreyer said it was important to find someone who lives close by, while Nicole Gough added it was equally important to choose someone “who knows or has worked with officers in Phillipston.”

Deschenes has been serving full-time as a patrolman and sexual assault investigator for the Town of Templeton since 2019. He also served as a part-time patrol officer for Phillipston from 2019 to 2023. Deschenes spent 10 years, from 2006 to 2016, as an officer for the Town of Barre. He worked in Hardwick from 1997 to 2006, and then for a short time in Wilbraham.

While the possibility of hiring a part-time chief had been considered by the board, Malouin said residents he had spoken to wanted to see the position filled on a full-time basis.

“I would really like to keep this in-town,” said Fandreyer. “Hire from within.”

At the beginning of June, the board asked Phillipston Det. Sgt. Sean Sawicki to assume the duties of chief while the search for a permanent replacement continued. Sawicki was among the five candidates who interviewed for the position, and Fandreyer said he was his choice to fill the post.

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“Granted, (he) doesn’t have enough experience,” said Fandreyer, “but I think – from talking to the other police officers – that he’s a quick learner and would probably have everything under control fairly quickly. Right now, he’s doing the job of chief and that of a police officer.”

Malouin said the ability to handle a budget was among his top concerns and, “When we did the interviews, there was somebody that stood out.”

“I do value what Gerhard said about hiring in-house,” Gough interjected. “My only concern, and it’s not about personality, is just experience. I think we have some great options who have wonderful experience, not just in being a police officer but in all the other areas that we are looking for. We need somebody well-versed in many areas. Plus, I think we have several (candidates) who have worked in this town before and who are familiar with it, so it’s not like we’d be pulling somebody out of Timbuktu and throwing them into the Town of Phillipston with no idea of what they’re doing here.”

After a bit more discussion, Malouin made a motion – seconded by Gough – to give the job to Deschenes. The motion passed 2-1, with Fendreyer voting against.

Deschenes told the Athol Daily News Thursday morning, “I’m pretty excited. I’m happy that they believe in my ability to lead the department. I believe I have all the skills and the personality and the attributes that would make the position work for them very well. So, we’ll move on to the negotiation phase and take everything into consideration and move on from there.”

The Selectboard has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, Sept. 25, to discuss terms of a contract. The annual salary for the position was advertised at between $79,394 and $93,642. It is the board’s intention to negotiate a one-year contract.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.