The Northfield Selectboard spent the bulk of its meeting debating a draft memorandum of understanding that would have the Berlin Police Department provide emergency backup and detective assistance when Northfield lacks certified staff.

The manager introduced the draft as a temporary measure designed to fill coverage gaps when no Northfield officer is on duty, explaining the MOU “puts the onus on Berlin” to execute the agreement (Speaker 4). Chief Pompeo of the Berlin Police Department clarified Berlin would not take over Northfield policing and said Berlin would be a backup when the Vermont State Police (VSP) are unavailable: “I myself didn't see this document till the other night… we are completely not taking over police services,” he said (Chief Pompeo).

Board members and the community pressed for clearer scope and checks. One recurring proposal was to split the draft into two parts: a narrower, expedited agreement for felony/detective assistance and a broader, more legally detailed arrangement for exigent/emergency coverage. Speaker 9 summarized that approach: breaking out the detective-assist portion could be “a lot more straightforward” and could be moved faster while the more complex emergent-response piece receives further legal and operational work.

Residents and board members also told the Selectboard that rebuilding local capacity should remain a priority. Brian Massey Jr., speaking in the public comment period, said the town should prioritize recruiting and retaining its own officers rather than outsourcing long-term coverage: “Sending those funds elsewhere doesn't fix the problem, it only delays it,” he said. Multiple residents asked how Berlin would be paid when it assisted Northfield; the draft referenced overtime or flat-rate billing. Officials said the precise billing method and verification steps would be spelled out in the final MOU.

Several Selectboard members urged that the town immediately recruit an interim police chief to lead hiring and stabilize operations while negotiations with Berlin proceed. “We really need the headhunt,” Speaker 9 told the board, advocating a targeted search for an experienced chief with Vermont certifications who could address investigations and recruitment.

The board did not finalize the MOU; instead members directed the town manager to continue negotiations with Berlin and to work with legal counsel to narrow immediate priorities (detective assistance) while leaving broader coverage questions subject to later approval by the Selectboard. The meeting closed with a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters, including interim chief recruitment.