In a joint press release issued on June 29, North Branford Town Manager Michael Paulhus announced long-serving North Branford Chief of Police Matthew Canelli will be retiring from his post effective Saturday, June 30, 2018.

"Chief Canelli has served our community for more than four decades and our community thanks him for his years of dedication and service. We wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his life," said Paulhus.

As previously reported by Zip06/The Sound (see the story here) on June 27, the Town Council and North Branford Board of Police Commissioners met during a special meeting and advanced an agreement to Canelli for his review.

In the joint press release issued June 29, Police Commission chairman John Pollock said, "It has been a pleasure to work with Chief Canelli over the years. He joined the department shortly after the department was incorporated and has become an institution within the department. His understanding of our community and of the department has been an asset. On behalf of the Police Commission, I thank him for his years of service and congratulate him on his retirement."

In a statement issued in the joint press release, Canelli reflected on his more than 40 years of service with the department.

"This is a bittersweet decision for me, but I look forward to enjoying more time with my family and settling into the next phase of my life," said Canelli. "It has been one of my greatest pleasures to serve my hometown and I am proud of the officers that served the community with me, as well as our staff that supported us."