Barre Select Board Hires Full-Time Officer, Signs Medical Marijuana Host Agreement

BARRE — May 15, 2017 — Barre Select Board unanimously hired a new full-time police officer and signed a medical marijuana host community agreement at its May 15 meeting. The board appointed Matthew Riel to the Barre Police Department at an hourly rate of $23.53, bringing the department to full full-time strength; Riel, a former Barre part-time officer who put himself through the police academy, was described by the chief as a unanimous recommendation from the oral board process. The board also executed a host community agreement with a medical marijuana applicant represented by attorney Cranston, and voted to authorize a letter of non-opposition to be held pending return of the countersigned documents. IT Director Adam reported that server migration to the Rutland dispatch center is complete and that public safety building equipment costs have been cut roughly 50 percent from an initial estimate of approximately $100,000. A structural engineering report on a South Barre dam recommended road closure, but the board took no formal vote, directing members to consult DPW Director Jason before acting.