Board appoints Charles Brooks as New Salem Police Chief
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of July 23, 2026
New Salem Board of Selectmen appoints Police Chief with $79,000 salary. The Board voted to hire Charles Brooks as Police Chief at an annual salary of $79,000 plus a 3.5 percent fiscal year cost-of-living adjustment, replacing retiring Chief John Bonafini. Chair Richard Taupier led discussion of the appointment, which was delayed by contract negotiations between the town's counsel and Brooks.
The Board decided to appoint Brooks on an annual basis while the Personnel Committee develops standardized employment contracts and evaluation frameworks for all key department heads.
In the full story:
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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of July 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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