By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM -- Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler says he and the Board of Trustees will pursue the appointment of an interim police chief to fill that position once current Police Chief Kevin Bates retires at the end of the month.

But a top priority remains the appointment of a new village administrator, who they hope can be on the job by Oct. 1.

“What we’ll probably do is appoint an interim police chief, for a term probably not to exceed six months,” the mayor said. “There are several interesting candidates. We’ll try to keep it internal.”

He said the board could name someone by the end of the month.

Once that appointment is made, they will begin the process of finding a new permanent chief, using the current Civil Service list of candidates to select interviewees, Tischler said.

Chief Bates said he plans to retire at the end of the month.

“He’s decided he’s got his 20-plus years in, will take retirement and pursue a slightly different career path. He’s done a great job for us. We’re proud of him,” Tischler said.

As for someone to replace Village Administrator Everett Basford, “We’ve got several good candidates,” the mayor said. They will shortly narrow the list and begin interviews.

“That’s probably our number one priority,” he said.

Applications for the village administrator job will be taken until Friday.