Chelsea council appoints interim police chief, schedules special meeting to review candidates

Chelsea’s City Council on Aug. 15 unanimously appointed Sergeant Richard Kinsey as interim police chief and moved to convene a special meeting Aug. 22 to review applicants for the permanent position. The actions followed public comments thanking outgoing Police Chief Ed Toth and concerns raised about department staffing.

The council voted to appoint Kinsey after City Manager Roy Atkinson introduced him as a long-serving department member with more than 30 years of professional experience. Council Member Peter Feeney made the motion to appoint Kinsey; Bill Ruddock seconded it, and the motion passed with all members voting in favor.

At the same meeting the council also appointed five community members to a newly created Community Public Safety Strategic Planning Group. The appointees were Rich Barston, Kate Henson, Robert Long, Janet Martin-Conners and Michael Townley; each appointment was moved and carried unanimously.

During public comment, Chelsea resident Gaye Morgenthaler thanked Chief Ed Toth for his service on his final day and raised concerns about staffing levels, open positions and union membership among department employees. Manager Atkinson said meeting processes and communications were being updated; the council scheduled a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, to review police chief candidate applications.

Interim Chief Kinsey later provided the department’s monthly report and introduced Officer Dory Blackford to council members as part of an effort to acquaint the council with officers on duty.

The council’s decisions were procedural votes recorded in the meeting minutes; all motions related to the interim appointment, committee appointments and the special meeting passed with unanimous votes. The council adjourned at 8:25 p.m.