CHESTER – On Feb. 4, Tammy Weidhaas of Russell was formally sworn in as the new police chief for the combined Chester Blandford Police Department during a pinning ceremony at Chester Town Hall. Weidhaas takes over for Chief Daniel Ilnicky, who is retiring after serving 33 years as a police officer. The ceremony had originally been scheduled for Feb. 1, but was postponed due to the snowstorm.

Weidhaas, who previously served the Easthampton Police Department for 17 years, had been hired as a Chester Blandford officer in December 2019 when the combined force was created.

Weidhaas said the two town combined force “works great. It allows for a bigger budget.” She said with the retirement of former Police Chief Dan Ilnicky, there will now be five officers on the force. “Hopefully, we’ll hire some officers,” she said.

During the ceremony, Chester Selectman John Baldasaro, a former Chester police officer, admitted to having a mixture of feelings. “I’m very happy to welcome the new police chief, but I regret losing the best police chief we’ve ever had,” he said.

Ilnicky had served 12 years as chief in Chester, the last one and a half as chief of the combined force. He had also served as part-time chief of Blandford for a year before the two forces combined, when he was hired after the previous police force of four walked out, citing unsafe working conditions and the talk of the merger.

Baldasaro called the combining of the two police departments, “a seamless process.” He said both towns are similar geographically, demographically, and with a similar style of policing.  The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission assisted the towns in forming an inter-municipal agreement, which was funded by a Community Compact grant.

Baldasaro thanked the representatives of the Massachusetts State Police who were  present at the ceremony. “We couldn’t do it without you,” he said. He also thanked the two town administrators, Katherine Warden in Chester and Joshua Garcia in Blandford, who he said “deserve a lot of credit behind the scenes. Not only on the merger, but in the selection of the new police chief.”

Baldasaro said a few months ago, Ilnicky informed the Chester Select Board that he wanted to retire. He said the process to find a new chief began with the select boards of both towns who formed a search committee. He said it came down to two candidates, both qualified.

“Tammy understands Chester and Blandford and what we need,” Baldasaro said, adding that she has a professional, positive attitude and is all about community policing. He said her passion for programs for senior citizens and children came through in the interview. “Congratulations. You did a great job, and we look forward to the future,” he said.

Before administering the oath, a presentation of plaques was made to Chief Ilnicky from the Chester Select Board and the  Chester Blandford Police Force. Ilnicky thanked the officers “who I’ve had the pleasure to work with. They’ve been fantastic, as have the other departments. My applause and appreciation to you,” he said.

Ilnicky then presented the police chief badge to Weidhaas.

The oath of office was administered by Town Clerk Rosemary Dalesandro. Tammy Weidhaas’ husband, Nicholas Weidhaas, who retired from the Easthampton Police Department after 33 years and now serves part time for the Northampton Police Department, held the Bible.

Following the swearing in, Weidhaas thanked the select boards for their confidence in her. She also thanked everyone in uniform who was present, and her family. “I’m very excited to be here. I’m looking forward to working for all the citizens of Chester and Blandford,” she said, adding with a nod to the Chester Blandford officers, “I’m excited to work with you guys.”