Published: 5/3/2022 9:59:41 AM
Modified: 5/3/2022 9:58:09 AM
LEYDEN — Former Police Chief Dan Galvis has stepped down from his role as emergency management director, effective immediately, according to town officials.
Municipal Assistant Michele Giarusso said the letter stating Galvis’ intention to retire was dated April 19. No reason was provided in the handwritten note, which was shared with the Greenfield Recorder. His term as emergency management director was set to expire June 30.
Galvis, who claimed his notice to retire should not have been public, declined to comment when reached by phone on Monday.
Until someone else can be appointed, Selectboard Chair Bill Glabach will serve on a part-time basis in the emergency management director position, according to Selectboard member Erica Jensen.
“The Public Safety Advisory Committee and the Selectboard are actively working on identifying a new long-term candidate for that,” Jensen said on Monday.
Galvis’ decision to step down as emergency management director follows his retirement last fall as police chief. Although no reason was provided for his decision to retire from that role, the announcement came following Selectboard discussions concerning racist, misogynistic and xenophobic content in emails Galvis shared with other town employees between 2015 and 2016. Lt. Mike Aiken has served as the officer in charge of the Leyden Police Department since then.
Jensen noted that the matter regarding the return of town-owned equipment and vehicles that had been in Galvis’ possession — a subject that residents have repeatedly expressed concern about — remains ongoing.
“At this point, the town equipment is not on the agenda,” Jensen said, referring to the next Selectboard meeting, scheduled for Monday, May 9.
Communication regarding the emergency management director position, however, will be, according to Jensen.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne
