By Steve Landwehr
WENHAM — Police Chief Kenneth Walsh is one of four finalists for the chief's job in Cohasset. Walsh yesterday declined to discuss his reasons for pursuing the opportunity; however, the Cohasset job was advertised with a maximum salary about $20,000 more than what Walsh currently makes.
Walsh, a resident of Groveland, has been with the Wenham department full time since 1988. He rose through the ranks and was named chief in 2005.
"This is a community that's been very good to me for almost 23 years," Walsh said.
Walsh said the search committee that narrowed a field of 80 candidates down to four will schedule final interviews Jan. 4 or 5. Cohasset's town manager has final say over the hiring, with the town's selectmen getting 15 days to override it.
Cohasset's population is about 7,200.
Wenham has about 5,100 residents, although a large number of those are part time, attending Gordon College.
The South Shore police force is also slightly larger, with 19 officers, compared to nine in Wenham.
