Southborough expects to make official its hiring of new police chief on Oct. 13

Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News
·2 min read

SOUTHBOROUGH — The Select Board is expected to make official the hiring of Ryan Newell as the town's newest police chief on Oct. 13.

Last Friday morning, during a board meeting, Chairwoman Kathryn Cook laid out the timeline for a contract.

The board met in executive session on Friday with the expectation that it would approve a contract. Newell would then undergo a psychological exam sometime this week.

More: Southborough Police Chief placed on leave, town won't say why

"The current plan, assuming we all agree on the contract in executive session, is to potentially be able to vote on the contract prior to Town Meeting," Cook said. A special Town Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Trottier Middle School, 59 Parkerville Road.

Along with signing the contract and getting Newell sworn in that night, the board would also discuss filling the lieutenant position that Newell vacated, Cook said.

Ryan Newell's appointment as Southborough's next permanent police chief is expected to be made official during special Town Meeting on Oct. 13.
Ryan Newell's appointment as Southborough's next permanent police chief is expected to be made official during special Town Meeting on Oct. 13.

Town Administrator Mark Purple said a formal swearing-in ceremony would be held later this month, likely on Oct. 23.

Also on Friday, the board voted to extend Newell's contact as acting chief until Oct. 31. Cook said the extension was out of an "abundance of caution," in case the contract is delayed for an unforeseen reason.

Newell has been acting chief since the end of February, when former Chief Kenneth Paulhaus was placed on administrative leave. A reason was never revealed.

More: Paulhus no longer police chief in Southborough after 'mutual agreement'

Paulhus retired on May 31 upon reaching mutual agreement with the town. He had been chief since 2014.

The Select Board chose Newell as the next permanent chief during a meeting on Aug. 30.

"I am extremely humbled and honored to be chosen as Southborough’s next chief of police," said Newell, 47, at the time he was named. "I want to thank the Southborough Select Board for choosing me to fill this leadership position, as well as the support I have received from the members of the department and the Southborough community."

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlcoal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Southborough expects to swear in new police chief Newell on Oct. 13