Politics & Government

Police Department Sees Changes, Permit Boards Gain New Members

The town board is expected to accept four new police retirements and appoint new members to its permitting boards at Tuesday night's board meeting.

The number of retirements from the Bedford Police Department in 2012 are up to six, according to town officials, and a few new hires and promotions are slated as well.

While Sgt. Anthony T. Frasca, Jr., announced his retirement this week Sgt. John W. Purdy confirms his retirement after 25 years of service; Sgt. Matthew J. Dunn after 24 years and Detective Matthew D. DiBiase after 23 years of police work.

Lt. Robert Mazurak also retires after 30 years with the police department.

Find out what's happening in Bedford-Katonahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition, Police Chief William Hayes has recommended the promotion of William Smith, who was named school resource officer in 2005, to youth officer detective, to fill the vacancy left by DiBiase.

The town board is also expected to approve the appointment of Douglas W. Romeo and Laura Lena as new officers on staff. Both transfer to Bedford after four and five of years of experience, respectively, with the Carmel Police Department; they fill the vacancies left by the 2011 retirement of Joseph Liburdi and by John Dunn, who announced his retirement in April 2012.

Find out what's happening in Bedford-Katonahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We are actively screening candidates for our existing and anticipated vacancies," Hayes said, adding that it's important the department "hire the most qualified candidates." 

"It takes a long time to find and vet the most suitable candidates for police officer positions. I expect that it will take most of the first quarter of the year to fill all of the positions."

New board chairs to be appointed

The police department is not the only government branch to see some changes. The town board recently interviewed candidates to fill vacancies on the zoning board of appeals, following the resignation of Justice-elect David Menken, and the planning board and Don Coe's retirement after 39 years on the planning board.

On the agenda, Clark Petschek is named the newest member of the zoning board. At the meeting, the town board is expected to name new chairs for each board.

The town board meeting was to have been preceded by a joing meeting of the Bedford town board and the planning board to discuss issues around the the historic home of Bill and Lois Wilson that was recently named as a national landmark. That joint session has been cancelled.

You can read the full agenda here.


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