MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro Select Board members at their Dec. 9 meeting approved a contract for Police Chief Robert Ferreira that would cover both an interim status and a potential permanent post.

Ferreira was officially sworn in Oct. 21 as Interim Police Chief following the retirement of long-time Police Chief Joseph Perkins, who coincidentally was approved as a special police officer for the town at the Dec. 9 meeting.

Ferreira has the option of serving as interim police chief through Jan. 31, 2026, unless a permanent police chief is appointed before then, according to the provisions of the contract. In that case, Ferreira would no longer be employed by the town.

If he does become permanent police chief, his employment would continue through Jan. 31, 2027.

Two steps would be required for that to happen, the contract states. 

Ferreira would need to notify the select board and town manager in writing by June 1, 2025 that he would like to continue as permanent police chief through Jan. 31, 2027. 

The board would then need to vote by June 20, 2025 to extend his term through Jan. 31, 2027.

Ferreira will receive a weekly base salary of$2,976.98 effective Sept. 1, 2024. 

If he becomes permanent chief, he will receive a weekly base salary of $3,169.29 effective Feb. 1, 2025.

Any additional salary increases will be at the discretion of the board, the contract states.