Dover to pursue new civilian public safety director

Dover Mayor James P. Dodd said Monday that resumes are piling up from people eager to succeed former town civilian Public Safety Director Richard Rosell, who starts a new job March 20 as safety director in upscale Indian River Shores, Fla.

“We’re not sure we’ll advertise the job because the word’s already out. It’s a position that definitely sparks some interest and we’ve gotten in resumes already,” Dodd said.

Despite opposition from town Police Chief Harold “Butch” Valentine and a contingent of police chiefs around Morris County, the board of aldermen in July 2012 passed an ordinance creating a civilian public safety director job to oversee police, fire and emergency management services in Dover. The hiring created a clamor, which died down quickly, that the director would usurp the power of the police chief.

Retired State Police Capt. Richard Rosell, then 52, was selected from about 20 potential candidates and started the $90,000 position in September 2012. The salary ordinance pertaining to the post set the salary range between $90,000 and $120,000. Rosell also had a town-issued vehicle to commute to and from his home in Point Pleasant.

Robert Stabe, town manager of Indian River Shores, confirmed Monday that Rosell will start work March 20. He will be paid $97,900 annually and given a one-time $2,000 relocation sum. Stabe described Indian River Shores as an “upscale” community of about 4,000 people. Housing consists largely of gated residential communities, and Indian River Shores is one of five municipalities in Indian River County, whose county seat is Vero Beach.

“We have a few businesses, a 7-11 and a CVS pharmacy and some others but mainly it’s an upscale bedroom community,” Stabe said.

Dodd said that Rosell created budgets for both the police and fire departments and was “excellent” in upgrading police cars, radio and communications equipment. Rosell was active in the town’s Youth Empowerment Program and met with church leaders and bar owners on a regular basis to keep communication open.

“He was active in meeting with bar owners, to make sure they adhered to our code and were good neighbors,” Dodd said.

Rosell had retired in 2008 from the State Police and before working for Dover, was public safety director in Springfield.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com