By Mike Melanson
Express Associate Editor
HALIFAX – The town has two new full-time police officers: Ryan Simpson and Patrick Deroo.
Selectmen on Tuesday Jan. 13 voted, 3-0, to appoint Simpson and Deroo as full-time officers, on the recommendation of Police Chief Edward Broderick.
They have been in training for four months and are appointed permanent intermittent officers, Broderick said.
“They’re ready to go, ready to go work for us,” he said.
Broderick said Halifax has gotten a waiver from Civil Service for Simpson and Deroo to start working full-time until the next full-time police officer academy, which starts in March and which both officers will attend.
“All that is in place and ready to go,” he said.
Broderick said Simpson and Deroo have rotated through every shift and been checked by sergeants and officers, and he is pleased with their commitment.
“No complaints. They’ve both worked out very well,” he said.
Broderick said the appointments will help Halifax avoid overtime costs and get the police department back to 11 officers on the road.
Selectman Kim Roy said she appreciates Broderick hiring full-timers from the town’s pool of permanent intermittent officers, from among known people, and she is impressed by them.
“We appreciate the way you’ve been managing your budget and keeping these things on target,” she said.
Meeting Notes
Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said Gov. Charlie Baker indicated he would release $100-million in Chapter 90 highway aid that had been approved by the state Legislature but withheld by former governor Deval Patrick. As a result, Chapter 90 aid to Halifax will increase from $270,938 to $406,407, Seelig said.
Selectmen accepted a state recycling grant of $6,500 to purchase a new 40-yard roll-off container for plastics and to print and mail educational materials on recycling to residents.
Selectmen voted to sign a contract with Lakeville to use that town’s animal shelter when needed.
Selectmen scheduled a hearing on the way properties are being turned over, bought and sold at Halifax Gold & Silver Coin Shop, 272 Plymouth St., on the recommendation of Broderick, who said there is an open case regarding stolen items in connection with the pawn shop. The hearing will take place on Jan.26 at 8:45 p.m.
Selectmen voted to send a letter to the owner of USA Fitness, 430 Plymouth St., about the legality under town bylaw of the business’s advertising for and buying second-hand items, sometimes in exchange for time in the gym, that is taking place in the gym storefront.
Selectmen met in executive session for collective bargaining for the firefighters’ contract with Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.
Selectmen voted to ask the public to submit a current photo from the calendar year 2014 that has something to do with Halifax for consideration to be put on the cover of the Annual Town Report.