Last modified: Friday, May 23, 2008 1:24 AM EDT Rehoboth police chief on way out BY LAURA CALVERLEY FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE REHOBOTH - Police Chief Norman Miranda Jr. - who became entangled in the acrimonious but unsuccessful recall of Selectman Chris Morra - will be out of a job at the end of June. Selectmen voted 2-1 this week not to renew Miranda's contract when it expires at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Miranda, who has held the job since 2004, had a two-year contract. He was unavailable for comment Thursday, and the police dispatcher said he will be away until Tuesday. Selectman Ken Foley, who was elected April 7, made a motion in a closed executive session at Monday's meeting not to extend the chief's contract. Selectman Frederick "Skip" Vadnais was the lone vote against the motion. Vadnais, reached Thursday, declined to comment, saying only that it is his policy not to discuss anything that takes place in executive session until the minutes of the meeting are released. He added that the decision came at the end of a long meeting, about 11:45 p.m. The selectmen who voted not to renew the chief's contract denied any political motivation was involved. An arbitrator recently ruled in favor of a police officer who was disciplined by the board for looking up information on Morra, who was named selectmen chairman after the April election. "I think we're ready for a change in town. It's nothing personal against Chief Miranda," Foley said. Morra, reached Thursday, also said he has no personal ill feelings, and wishes the chief well. "It's unfortunate that we weren't able to have a meeting of the minds. I think we need a new direction. You have to do what you think is in the best interests of the town," Morra said. "A lot of incidents have occurred in the past few years by some members of the department that have been an embarrassment, and most unprofessional, and they reflect badly on the town," Morra said. Morra and Miranda have clashed, and in March, an arbitrator ruled that the town acted inappropriately when it suspended Patrolman James Casey for one day for conduct unbecoming an officer. Morra accused Casey, a six-year veteran of the department, of violations of the Criminal Justice Information Services when the officer obtained information about him during a follow-up inquiry in June 2006. The arbitrator ruled Casey had acted properly when he tapped the information system to determine if the selectman had followed his instructions to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license after an earlier traffic stop for speeding. At the time of the stop, Morra was living in Rehoboth, but was still using a Rhode Island driver's license from when he lived in East Providence. The incident became an issue in the unsuccessful campaign to recall Morra. Morra said Thursday he voted not to renew Miranda's contract because he wants someone more fiscally responsible in the position. He said the police department budget increased by 28 percent over a three-year period, and that several officers in town earn more than $100,000 when overtime is factored in. "That isn't called for in our rural town," Morra said. Vadnais said selectmen have yet to discuss the search for a new police chief, adding that because of the Memorial Day holiday, selectmen will next meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. LAURA CALVERLEY covers Rehoboth for The Sun Chronicle. Reach her at lcalverley@aol.com.