Billerica Select Board Adopts Internal-First Police and Fire Chief Hiring Policy 3-2

BILLERICA — July 20, 2026 — Billerica Select Board voted 3-2 Monday to require internal candidates be considered first for police and fire chief vacancies, brushing aside a town counsel opinion that the policy conflicts with the town charter. Select Board Member Mike Rosa introduced Policy 4.4, which mandates that only after internal candidates are interviewed — or if none exist — may Town Manager Chris Dillon open an external civil service search; Dillon told the board he had already initiated such a process for the retiring Fire Chief Robert Cole's position and expressed reservations about restricting the search. Town Counsel, appearing in person, said the policy is not legally binding on the town manager and that he remains free to run the process as he sees fit. Members Rosa, Darius O'Connor, and Dina Favreau voted yes; Chair Mike Riley and Vice Chair Jillian Pavidas voted no. In a separate 3-2 vote, the board also rescinded its code of conduct after O'Connor cited a third independent legal opinion — from the firm Harrington Heep — confirming the policy is unenforceable, adding that two prior firms, KP Law and Brooks and DeRensis, had reached the same conclusion. The board also unanimously approved a water and sewer administrative abatement policy, authorized a $1,055,958 sewer rehabilitation bond from the Mass Clean Water Trust, waived a $32,000 conservation fund fee for local restaurant Wicked Good Wings, accepted a $120,000 DCR trails grant for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path, and set fall Town Meeting for October 6, 2026.