Hirings and promotions were the order of the evening as the Maybrook village boards met in special session last week. Most of that action enabled the police department to begin moving out of what Chief Arnold “Butch” Amthor called “a transition phase”.

The department is down several police officers, but two new hires will help ease the shortfall. With two more scheduled to be hired in the fall, the department would then be up to its full complement and, at that point, Amthor noted, “Lt. Barnett and I will be looking to increase hours and staffing.”

“Since assuming command in December of 2010,” Chief Amthor wrote the board, “we have not experienced this before. On a positive note, I envision that over the course of the next several months many positive changes will take place.”

Hired last week were Matthew Kennedy and Dane Neretich. In addition, Matthew Hughes was promoted provisionally to sergeant. All three were sworn in by Deputy Clerk/Treasurer David Griffith, with their families in attendance.

“This was an extensive process, and these are two great candidates,” Police Lt. Dennis Barnett said of Kennedy and Neretich. Lt. Barnett represented Chief Amthor. Of the new Sgt. Hughes, Lt. Barnett said, “He is extremely dedicated and loyal to this department and is going to do a great job.”

All three appointments were approved unanimously by the village board. Mayor Dennis Leahy said he is pleased with the progress the village is making to “get back to four full-time officers”.

“We have done everything necessary and with due diligence to get to this point,” he said. “And we’re almost there. I am very pleased with the way the department is going and with the outstanding relationship between Chief Amthor, Lt. Barnett and myself. We’re getting things moving along.”

Also promoted at last week’s meeting with a unanimous village board vote was Public Works staffer Kyle DiChiaro to Working Leader.

“He is a good person and a good guy,” Leahy said. “This is well-deserved. Kyle has done a fantastic job and gives 100 percent every day.”

The village board ended the meeting with a moment of silence for long-time resident and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) member John Jardine who passed away July 31.