BARRE - While he agreed that Chief Erik Demetropoulos is a "great guy," the CEO of a company that recently completed an assessment of the Police Department said the town's top cop must go.

William B. Connors Jr. of Risk Management Advisors of Rockland, hired by the Board of Selectmen to do the assessment, said the environment at the Barre Police Department is "toxic" and suggested there's nothing selectmen can do, short of finding a new chief, that will solve the problem.

"The current chief cannot continue," Mr. Connors told selectmen Monday night. He recommended the board launch an immediate, nationwide search for someone to lead the department of eight full-time and seven part-time officers, in addition to the full-time chief.

After hearing the report, selectmen affirmed a vote they took in November when they agreed not to extend Chief Demetropoulos' contract beyond its expiration date in June. This time selectmen were unanimous, with Selectman Lief Ericson, who had voted in November against ending the chief's tenure, in favor.

Selectmen Kathlyn Inman and Richard Jankauskas, chairman of the board, were in favor on the first vote.

The chief makes about $74,000 annually and has been on the job for nine years.

There has been support for the chief in town and on social media. A Facebook page called "Support Chief Erik Demetropoulos" has more than 650 followers. At Monday night's meeting, one resident told selectmen they'll never find anyone as committed to the community as the chief. James Haupt praised the chief's "community policing" style and said he's seen the chief visit the schools and help residents in many situations.

But the very things he was praised for seem to be what's landed the chief where he is now - looking for a new job.

Mr. Connors said the chief's efforts to appease everyone have left some small issues festering, and said there are problems with the "interpersonal dynamics" of the department, to the point that "sustainable, corrective actions" are highly unlikely to work.

"He's too nice a guy," Mr. Connors said, adding that the chief, who has lived most of his life in Barre, has many friends and that, too, is a problem.

The chief stood at the back of the room and did not comment during the meeting. He said on Wednesday that in spite of what's happened he continues to be devoted to the community where he grew up and is raising his family. He said family and friends have reached out to him and he's confident that the adage of one door opening when another closes will hold true for his career, which he hopes will include more work in law enforcement.