Wenham Police Ink New Contract with 1.5% Raise and Payday Changes

The Wenham town government and police union expect to sign a new one-year contract on Monday.

Wenham police officers have a new one-year contract that gives them a 1.5 percent raise starting in January and a shift to bi-weekly paychecks. The contract was agreed to by the Board of Selectmen last Tuesday and a ceremonial signing of the contract will happen on Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. at Wenham Town Hall. Interim Town Administrator Mark Andrews said the contract agreement means a successful completion to one of the goals given to him at a retreat with Selectmen in June. “It was one of the charges the Board of Selectmen gave me when I came on,” he said. On Friday, Andrews said he could not yet release a copy of the contract because some of the details of it still needed to be cleaned up. The Wenham Police Department’s union members …

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Police Chief: School Starts Up Soon, Be Extra Cautious

A back-to-school letter from Interim Wenham Police Chief Thomas Perkins.

To the Editor: As “Back to School” rapidly approaches, the Wenham Police Department would like to remind motorists to be extra cautious on the roadways as summer winds down. As a continuing part of “Operation Safety Net,” patrols have been directed to be highly visible in areas surrounding local schools and will be strictly enforcing violations in an effort to protect young children on foot and bicycles heading to and from school. Parents of young children can play an important role as well. You can help reinforce the importance of when walking; always use crosswalks and looking both ways before crossing. Remind them that when biking, to always walk their bikes across the crosswalks, and to always wear a helmet. Children involved in the …

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Wenham Police Adds '10th Officer,' Will Head to the Academy

A 10th officer, as approved by voters, has been added to the Wenham Police Department.

Chad Labrie is the newest full-time patrol officer for the Wenham Police Department. Labrie was first hired as a part-time reserve officer in 2005. “He’s been an outstanding employee,” Interim Police Chief Thomas Perkins told Selectmen when Labrie was introduced last week. At one point, Labrie worked full-time for Wenham police for about six months while holding down another full-time job, Perkins said. Labrie has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in criminal justice from Salem State University. He will start at the Reading Police Academy on Aug. 20, Perkins said. Labrie has been called the department’s 10th officer, since his hire restores the department to the same staffing level as it had a few years ago until one position was cut. Voters …

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Concerned

9:19 am on Thursday, August 9, 2012

Congratulations Officer Labrie. Good luck in the academy. Mr. Andrews, I know Wenham has non-full time academy trained officers working full time. Along with Officer Labrie, Wenham could use another full time officer with all the training the academy provides.   more ›

You Ask...Patch Answers

Why is There a Traffic Counter on Monument Street?

The traffic counter on Monument Street is collecting data to best determine when speeding is the worst on the street.

A Wenham Police Department traffic counter has been set up on Monument Street to help identify the best time to conduct traffic enforcement on the street. Monument Street is a well traveled road that connects Cherry Street to Route 1A and, of course, is home to the Wenham Tea House. “It gives us quite a bit of info - number of vehicles, speed of vehicles, etc.” said Interim Police Chief Thomas Perkins. He said Monument Street homeowners “were among the first residents complaining about speeding vehicles since I took over.” Perkins said police can not be on any street in Wenham around-the clock, “but this device can.” The counter has been used many times over the years and is owned by the town. It helped, for example, compile traffic data …

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Michelle Bailey

10:53 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Thanks, I was wondering about that...Warning, speeding on Monument St is a bad idea!   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things to Know Today in Hamilton and Wenham: July 27

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, July 27. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Winthrop Principal: School Superintendent Michael Harvey had set Friday as the day he would announce the new principal at Winthrop Elementary School. As of “press time” on Thursday, there had not yet been a decision. When we hear we will let you know. 2. Distractology: Friday is the final day for the driving simulator called “Distractology 101” at the Hamilton Police Department. The simulator is designed for young drivers to understand the impacts of distracted driving, including texting while driving. To grab a spot in the simulator on Friday, call Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency in Beverly at 978-522-5665. 3. Storytime: Summertime storytime at Green Meadows Farm returns …

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Perkins To Be Interim Wenham Police Chief After Walsh's Retirement

Wenham Police Capt. Thomas Perkins will serve as interim chief for two months after Chief Kenneth Walsh retires later this month.

Wenham Police Capt. Thomas Perkins will become Interim Chief Perkins later this month. The Wenham Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night unanimously named Perkins as interim chief, effective upon the retirement of Chief Kenneth Walsh on July 28. In late June, Walsh announced he is retiring after 24 years as a full-time member of the department – the last seven as chief. After retirement, Walsh will become Director of Safety and Security at Endicott College in Beverly. “I’m not going far, I’m just going down the street,” Walsh said. Walsh on Tuesday brought a transition plan for the department to Selectmen, suggesting that Perkins be named interim chief. Perkins is a 25-year Wenham police veteran who has served as captain for four years. Two …

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