Lanesborough Offers Police Chief Job To Timothy Sorrell

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Timothy Sorrell was offered the job as chief of police Monday night after serving 28 years on the force.
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Timothy Sorrell was nearly speechless when he left the Selectmen's office Monday night. 
 
"It has been 28 years and, finally, we're there," Sorrell said as dozens of supporters shook his hand offering congratulations.
 
Just moments earlier the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to offer Sorrell the job as chief of police. Sorrell has been an officer in the department since 1987 and just 12 years ago, he was the runner up for the position.
 
"I'm shocked, in awe, surprised, happy. It's been a long road," Sorrell said. "I'm ready for a new start."
 
Current Chief Mark Bashara announced his upcoming retirement late last year and the town launched a process for finding his replacement.
 
The Police Advisory Commission interviewed Sorrell along with two others and ultimately, threw their support behind the investigator.
 
"The three candidates we had all interviewed very well," said Police Advisory Committee Chairman Marvin Michalak. "We like his work ethic. We like his participation. We like his volunteerism."
 
Sorrell moved up the ladder since becoming a full-time patrolman in 1987 and was a sergeant for 12 years when he applied for the chief's position in 2003. He received the Police Advisory Commission's recommendation then, too, but the Board of Selectmen opted for Bashara instead. He became an investigator instead.
 
Outside of the job, he served in a number of roles including holding a seat on the School Committee and is currently the chairman of the recreation committee, and head of the Williamstown Lanesborough Youth Basketball League.
 
"A lot of us have worked with or around him for several years. He knows the community and everybody in it," said Selectman Robert Ericson on why Sorrell stood out for him. "He's not the guy who just does his job and then goes home. He does so much for the community."
 
That community effort paid off for Sorrell. The investigator submitted more than 50 letters of recommendation from townspeople with his resume. On Monday, supporters couldn't even get through the door to see what they expected would be just another interview and they all offered their congratulations once he left the room.
 
"I'm so happy with the community support," Sorrell said.
 
Selectmen Chairman John Goerlach added that Sorrell has been an "excellent officer who has good judgment." He said Sorrell was "the best candidate for the job."
 
"His job performance has been excellent," Selectman Henry "Hank" Sayers said.
 
In his interviews, Sorrell emphasized that his management style would be focused on getting the officers to have "vested interest" in their jobs. That means getting the training and experience in the particular fields of policing they want. He said he'd be actively looking for grants or other revenue to help work within the current budget. And, he says he prefers that the job is for a "working chief" because he wants to spend his days doing community policing and the administrative work after.
 
"I'm used to putting in long hours and I am used to putting in time with my kids and the kids in the community," Sorrell told the Board of Selectmen.
 
The Selectmen said they liked all of the candidates and that his intimate knowledge of the town and the town's comfort with him put Sorrell over the hump.
 
"If you read the resumes, the other three people were all strong candidates," Ericson said. "If Tim [Sorrell] wasn't here, either of them would have been a good chief."
 
Bashara will retire at the end of May and the Selectmen have previously said they'd like the new chief to come on a little early to learn the job. Sorrell still needs to negotiate a contract with the Selectmen.

Tags: police advisory,   police chief,   search committee,   

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Lanesborough to Negotiate New HCA With Only Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. Due to evolving state regulations, the town must settle on a new or amended host community agreement with its only dispensary.
 
On Monday, Feb. 24, the Select Board voted to allow Town Administrator Gina Dario to work with counsel towards a resolution.  Dario felt that both parties were willing to come up with a practical solution.
 
Liberty Market, located on North Main Street, has requested a new host community agreement or host community agreement waiver in lieu thereof.  The town was sent a notice of non-compliance from the Cannabis Control Commission in January.
 
"The discussion for the Select Board is whether or not to proceed with either a redrafting of the current host community agreement or a re-negotiation of a new host community agreement that uses a more prescriptive template that is being provided by The Cannabis Control Commission," Dario explained.
 
A couple of years ago, the Canabis Control Commission (CCC) approved changes to the state's adult and medical use regulations including policies that implement the agency's oversight of host community agreements, new equity requirements, and suitability reform.
 
"The Cannabis Control Commission is taking the position that changes to the cannabis laws which went into effect in November of 2022 are retroactive and affect pre-existing agreements, such as the one that the town has with Liberty Market," Attorney Nicole Costanzo said.
 
"Of course, there are some novel legal issues presented as to whether or not the legislative changes do retroactively affect pre-existing host community agreements. It's my understanding that the town does want to work with Liberty Market nevertheless and try and get them a "compliant" agreement for purposes of the Cannabis Control Commission issuing them a license renewal to move forward."
 
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