Part-time Interim Police Chief Richard Stanley has told town officials in North Andover, where he serves as full-time chief, that he will complete his interim work in Wareham by March 31.

In addition to writing a brief Feb. 17 memo to North Andover Town Manager Mark Rees, Stanley told officials there that he would be "helping with the transition" in Wareham, according to North Andover Board of Selectmen chair and police officer Daniel Lanen.

The Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence reported the chief as telling that Board of Selectmen last week: "I just turned down a pretty good job because my heart is in this town."

Wareham town officials continue to maintain that the town is still in contract negotiations with Stanley, but said this week that they have a "Plan B" to find another permanent chief.

In response to an e-mail inquiry for comment, Stanley said he would "have to refrain from any comment at this time."

North Andover officials clearly understand that Stanley has put an end date on his service in Wareham and will be returning to devote 100% of his policing time to North Andover.

However, Stanley's brief memo to Rees does not say flat out that he is leaving Wareham - only that his interim service will end March 31. That leaves open the possibility that Stanley will continue to work for Wareham in some capacity.

"To my knowledge the Chief has not declined a contract with the town," Board of Selectmen Chair Jane Donahue said Friday.

Town Administrator Mark Andrews elaborated on the subject at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. Though he called the situation "on-going," he said the town is coming up with a plan to assess current Wareham officers to see if a promotion from within would be possible.

In explaining his "Plan B" on Tuesday, Andrews said that, in lieu of a written exam, applicants would be tested using real-life scenarios during an "assessment center" exam. Andrews and Selectman Steve Holmes said this type of exam is becoming more common for chief selection and complies with Civil Service regulations.

The apparent sticking point in the year-long Stanley-Wareham negotiations is money.

Stanley is slated to make just over $133,000 in North Andover this year. It is unclear what he is asking Wareham to pay.

But even Stanley's North Andover salary is considerably above the approximately $109,500 in total compensation paid to former long-time chief Thomas Joyce in Fiscal Year 2007.

In November, Stanley reportedly told town officials in North Andover that he would be "transitioning away" from his duties in Wareham. North Andover Town Manager  Rees said Stanley reduced his time from two days per week to one weekend day and an occasional night meeting, and would be finished by March.

Wareham town officials have steadfastly maintained that Stanley and the town are in contract negotiations so that he can become the full-time chief here. And town records indicate that Stanley was paid for working in Wareham anywhere from 28 to 38 hours per week in November and the first two weeks of December.

Stanley, who has served as interim chief since Thomas Joyce retired in June 2009, originally said he had no intention of seeking the full-time position. But in March 2010, he was presented to the Board of Selectmen as Town Administrator Andrews' choice for the permanent post. He reportedly entered contract negotiations with the intention of leaving North Andover at the end of the summer.

During his time in Wareham, Stanley is credited with helping the police department earn state certification, obtaining a fleet of new police cruisers, revitalizing the department's K-9 Unit, and adding bike and foot patrol officers to the streets during the summer months.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.