Marblehead police captain appointment delayed again

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead police will have to wait another year to find out who the new police captain will be.The Civil Service exam scheduled for October was only open to police lieutenants. Only two of the department’s four lieutenants signed up to take the exam by the deadline. Four applicants were required for the exam to be administered.Police Chief Robert Picariello told selectmen what happened last week.The lack of applicants means that Civil Service will post another exam for October 2009. The next exam will be open to the town’s four sergeants as well as the lieutenants. The lieutenants who did not apply this year can apply in 2009, along with any sergeants who want to apply.Picariello estimated that the selectmen could have a certified list from Civil Service in April 2010.”Hopefully we’ll get enough people to have an exam next year,” Picariello said.Police Lt. Mark Mills has served as acting police captain, pending the appointment of a permanent captain. Patrolman Nick Economou has been serving as acting lieutenant to take Mills’ place. Selectmen made both appointments on Picariello’s recommendation.