During the public comment portion of the most recent Hudson Board of Selectmen meeting, Hudson Police Chief Tad Dionne announced that he would soon be retiring from the Police Department.
Dionne said, “I wanted to address this Board so I could address the community publicly and tell them that I have began my retirement paperwork.”
Dionne also announced that he would be retiring effective Aug. 1.
During the meeting Dionne said that the community had given him a “tremendous amount of support,” during his 30 years with the Hudson Police Department, adding that he and his family love the community of Hudson.
“My family loves this place, I love this place, I love the people I work with. I’m privileged to serve the officers and the civilian staff, and I mean that,” he said.
Dionne also said that the community will also always be a major part of his heart and soul.
He added that the department has been working on a succession plan over the past six years.
Before the announcement by the chief, also during public comments, Master Patrol Officer Ronald Cloutier, who represents the Hudson Police Employee Association, explained that he wanted to talk about the importance of succession planning. “I think it’s important to have leadership in place to take that next step,” he said. “When someone leaves the police department,” Cloutier said, “it’s important to have someone who can step up, noting that it’s important for morale to have someone who knows the “ins and outs of that department.”
Cloutier said he would encourage the Board of Selectmen to have some type of formal succession planning in the future, and said it’s something they are trying to foster within the police department. Cloutier also noted that he had a document from all the members of the Association except one person who was on vacation supporting the importance of succession planning. “It just makes it a better environment to move forward,” he said.
Dionne during the meeting said he wanted to state publicly that they are in “great shape with succession, and I think the person is in the room.”
Dionne announced publicly that he thinks Hudson Police Capt. Dave Cayot should take over.
“I wholeheartedly recommended Dave Cayot, and I wanted to mention to the community that I believe we’re in a very good place,” Dionne said.
Dionne said that they have spent the better part of six years preparing for his retirement and that he thinks that Cayot is the right person to succeed him. “He comes with a great resume,” Dionne said.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Bob Guessferd thanked Dionne for his time with the Hudson Police Department. “Thank you for your service,” he said.
The next Selectmen meeting is s set for July 22.
