Acting Marblehead police chief may get pay raise

MARBLEHEAD – Selectmen plan to decide whether to pay the acting police chief an extra $300 per week at their next meeting scheduled for Feb. 28.Police Captain Robert Coyne, who has served as acting police chief since Feb. 3, automatically receives a $40 weekly raise.Coyne asked the board Jan. 24 to bump him up three more pay steps in the captain?s salary schedule, which would add $300 more to his salary. Coyne has 36 years experience in the department and plans to retire once a new chief takes over. His request was supported by former Police Chief James Carney.Coyne will serve as temporary police chief for the duration of the search, which is being conducted by BadgeQuest of West Yarmouth and could take two to three months. Carney recommended the higher amount and said there was money in the police budget to cover it.Selectmen scheduled the Feb. 28 vote after a noontime meeting Friday They had postponed their regular Wednesday meeting due to the icy road conditions on Feb. 14. Selectmen Chairman Harry Christensen and Selectmen James Nye, Jeffrey Shribman and Jackie Belf-Becker were present.Christensen said he was ready to bring up Coyne?s salary request Friday, but Selectman Judy Jacobi, who was away, asked him not to do so until she could be there to discuss it.?We?ll make a decision Feb. 28,” he said.The board adjourned without making a motion on the request.Town Administrator Tony Sasso said, back on Jan. 24, that the board could vote on the matter at their next meeting and grant the raise retroactive to Coyne?s starting date as acting police chief. Jacobi said selectmen only heard about Coyne?s request 24 hours before the Jan. 24 meeting and she would like time to think about it.