DELMAR — Bethlehem Town Supervisor David VanLuven called a special meeting of the town board for tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m. It’s to immediately adjourn into an executive session where the board will deliberate over who will be the town’s next police chief.
No other action was announced in the notice mailed earlier this morning, nor were any other agenda items shared on the calendar for Friday afternoon.
Board members have been meeting since last Wednesday to interview three candidates vying for the vacant police chief position. The meetings have included each member of the board, the supervisor, the town’s attorney, and its director of human resources. At least one meeting took place after the last candidate was interviewed on Tuesday.
The board was scheduled to meet today before it was canceled amid concerns the town was violating Open Meeting Law. Today’s announcement is in apparent response to those concerns.
The town’s effort to name someone to the top law enforcement position has been scrutinized since former Chief Louis Corsi retired in July. Residents have asked to be involved in the process, including demands to ask each of the three candidates questions.
VanLuven has assured residents their questions and concerns have been included in the interview process. When the town last appointed a new chief it was in 2003. Then, the supervisor honored the outgoing chief’s suggestion as an appointment, and was later approved by the board. Today, VanLuven has asked the town board to vet the three candidates before reaching a consensus.
The town is expected to name the new chief when it meets Wednesday, Aug. 26.
