Two veteran Edgartown police officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant and sworn in at the selectmen’s meeting Monday.

The board voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of police chief David Rossi to promote Michael Gazaille and Joel DeRoche. Chief Rossi has been evaluating candidates for promotion since he took office two weeks ago.

“Michael Gazaille has 26 years on the force,” the chief said. “I’m proud to recommend him as sergeant. I’d trust him with my life.” Sergeant Gazaille has served on the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force, the department’s marine unit, and the worked in the Edgartown School. Chief Rossi said he has extensive training in narcotics investigation and accident investigation. “And he’s a hell of a cook,” Chief Rossi added.

Sgt. Michael Gazaille takes oath of office with town clerk Wanda Williams. — Steve Myrick

Sergeant DeRoche is an 18-year veteran of the Edgartown police department.

“He’s passionate about firearms, firearms law, he does all our training,” Chief Rossi said. Sergeant DeRoche also handles taxi regulation, and serves as the police department liaison to Chappaquiddick. “I’m very happy to recommend him. I’ve worked with these guys their whole careers,” the chief said.

Chief Rossi pinned the sergeant’s badge on Mr. Gazaille. A few minutes later, Sergeant DeRoche’s mother, Priscilla Bettencourt, did the honors for her son.

Also at Monday’s meeting, selectmen voted to accept a bid from Grain Telecomm, a Florida based company, to provide cellular phone service on Chappaquiddick. The company bears all the responsibility for siting and permitting towers or any other equipment. The first step in that process will be to appear before the planning board to apply for a special zoning permit.

“At that point, residents of Chappy will have their time to work with the planning board, to let them know what they want,” said town administrator Pam Dolby.

Under the terms of the contract, Grain Communications would pay the town 40 per cent of any fees earned from carriers who provide service using the new cellular equipment.

In another development, Mrs. Dolby told the board that AT&T has paid $28,000 for the first year of a lease to rent space in the abandoned blue silos at Katama Farm for a cellular antenna to improve service in that area. But she said AT&T has notified the town they have suspended work on the project, and the company does not intend to complete it.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about service and emergency service in Katama,” Mrs. Dolby said. “They can’t just sit on that, it’s not fair to the residents of Katama, it’s not fair to anybody.”

Mrs. Dolby said she will contact the company this week.