Politics & Government
Dover Selectmen Welcome New Police Chief Peter McGowan
McGowan believes the town will be a good fit for him and the officers.
The Dover Board of Selectmen enjoyed a large audience at their Tuesday night meeting to honor their new Chief of Police Peter McGowan.
after a search led by a committee put together by the selectmen and a police chief search consultant who was hired by the town.
“This is a special occasion,” said selectmen chair Carol Lisbon. “Tonight we have the privilege of welcoming you,” she said to Chief McGowan, who has been on duty since Monday. “We welcome you to Dover,” and, “I hope we have years together,” Lisbon said.
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“Thank you to the search committee,” Lisbon said, “It paid off well.”
McGowan said, “I know it’s going to be a great fit, both for us and the guys,” referring to his officers, of which four showed up, along with interim police chief Jeffrey Farrell.
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McGowan added, “I would like to thank Farrell for his help and friendship.” He noted that Farrell has been in Dover for over 40 years. “I hope everyone appreciates how lucky they were to have him,” McGowan said.
Farrell retorted jokingly, “Do I pay you now?”
McGowan assured Farrell that he would be coming to him for advice until the day Farrell soon retires.
Lisbon said to Farrell, “Thank you for everything you have done.”
Selectmen James Dawley said to McGowan, “We’re thrilled you took the job,” and wished him the “best of luck.”
Dawley let McGowan know that the selectmen’s door is always open to him and to let them know if there is anything they can do to assist him.
As part of the welcoming ceremony, McGowan’s wife pinned his badge on him.
After the pomp and circumstance ended and the audience left, the selectmen asked the new chief to stay behind and discuss the Dover Board of Health’s proposition to open up new town owned properties in the town for the next deer hunting season.
The selectmen voted to approve four more properties, identified by the selectmen as a Bridge Street property of 3.92 acres, the Ponzi land of 31.58 acres, a Church Street property of 9.2 acres and the Larrabee Estate of 66.84 acres.
Two other properties were asked to be discussed with the new chief, former chief Farrell, and George Giunta, who runs the town’s hunting program, during the meeting.