LT. DAVID RICARDI
SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen agreed 2-1 to offer the police chief position to Lt. David Ricardi Monday night.
Police Chief Mark Krynicki announced last week he will retire in May. The board discussed its options to replace Krynicki Monday, and at least one selectman was surprised a vote was taken.
“I thought we were just discussing the process,” said Tracy Cesan. “I didn’t know we were going to vote on this.”
Selectmen Administrative Assistant Sondra Pendleton said she also was not aware there would be a vote.
Selectman Russell Fox made the motion to extend the offer to Ricardi. Chairman Arthur Pinell seconded it, and both men voted in favor. Cesan voted against the motion, noting it was with “no disrespect to Lt. Ricardi, but disrespect to the process.”
Cesan said she favored an in-house job posting to allow other qualified members of the department to step forward.
Krynicki recommended Ricardi and told the board Sgt. Kevin Bishop also expressed an interest in the position.
Bishop was present at the meeting and said he would be a “team player” regardless of the decision.
Fox and Pinell both commended Ricardi.
“I’ve given it a lot of thought,” said Fox. “We have an individual on the force right now who has been in an acting capacity with the know-how to take over. I would like to offer it to Lt. Ricardi.”
Cesan agreed Ricardi was qualified and a good candidate, but she said she wanted to “give others the opportunity” to apply.
Fox said there were other good candidates but he would recommend Ricardi, whichever process they used.
Resident and retired police officer Roger Cataldo spoke out during the meeting.
“I feel there are other candidates who could be picked over Lt. Ricardi,” he said.
Pinell said in addition to the reasons stated by Fox, he believed Ricardi would “support the stability the community needs.”
