After three decades of service, Jaffrey’s police chief and tax collector say it’s time to retire – Monadnock Ledger Transcript

For decades, Bill and Dawn Oswalt have been part of the fabric of Jaffrey, with Bill working his way from beat cop to police chief, and Dawn presiding over the tax collection office.

The couple plan to retire at the same time, with a retirement and thank-you party scheduled for both on Friday.

I will just miss the townspeople, Dawn said.Even though well still be here, itll be in a different light. I will miss the people.

I just hope weve been good for the town, Bill said.

Their expertise and long service will be missed.

Between the two of them, they have 56 years of service to the town. I thank them for their service. Theyre outstanding individuals and the town is lucky to have had them as long as we have, said Selectmen Frank Sterling, who was on the Select Board when Dawn and Bill were originally hired.

Sterling said Dawn stepped into her position when the previous tax collector resigned, and was left with the job of straightening out the accounts.

It was quite a feat, but she accomplished it, and since, has kept things perfect, he said.

And Sterling credits Bill Oswalts leadership in keeping the police department together and focused, and retaining officers.

Thats because of his leadership. Hes been terrific in that role, Sterling said.

Other police officers also offered praise for Bill Oswaltsleadership in the department.

I've known Bill for many years as a law enforcement officer, and we've worked together from time to time. He's an extraordinary police chief and the residents of Jaffrey have been served well by him, Peterborough Police Chief Scott Guinard said. And he'll be sorely missed by law enforcement and the residents as well. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Bill Oswalt grew up in central Iowa, in a small farming community. Dawn Oswalt is originally from Jaffrey. The two first met after entering the Navy in the mid-1970s at a stateside base in Maine. Both radio operators, they got to know each other through the job, and came to Jaffrey in 1979 to wed.

After six years in Iowa, working Bill Oswalts family farm, the couple came back to Jaffrey to settle for good in 1987.

With three young children to support, Dawn said she was looking for a job that would allow her to still be there for her family. Thats when her father pointed her to an advertisement in the paper, looking for a new tax collector in Jaffrey. Dawn, who had experience working in a bank, and loves math and numbers, said she tossed her hat in the ring. She got a call while she and her husband were on vacation in Iowa.

They said, You got the job, and How soon can you be back? she said.

Bill Oswaltdidnt join the police force until a few years later.

It had never been on my radar, he said, of a career in law enforcement.

He came to the job in a round-about way, he said, because of his experience in another town emergency service: The Fire Department. Dawns father was a member, and convinced him to join up. He got to see law enforcement in work during his initial years on the department, and the then-police chief asked him if he might be interested in a part-time position, which is how he started in the department. He eventually became a full-time officer in 1994 but he continued on in the fire department as well.

I kept the red lights in my personal vehicle, and when I wasnt on duty, Id show up as a firefighter, he said. And when I was on duty, I was an officer who knew how to prime a fire hydrant.

At their heart, both jobs were about interacting with people, Bill said.

We like totreat the people wedeal with with respect, kindness and dignity. Follow the Golden Rule, Bill said.

Listening is a huge skill, Dawn agreed.

The two will be retiring. Though they plan to continue living in Jaffrey, and continue running their pick-your-own blueberry operation on their property, they will be doing more traveling, particularly to visit Bills family still in Iowa, and their now-adult children and three grandchildren.

They know theyre leaving their departments in capable hands. Chelsie Snow is slated to step into the position of tax collector, and though no official announcement has been made about Bill Oswaltsreplacement in the police force, he said, the department has excellent leadership in his second-in-command, Lt. ToddMuilenberg, who has prior experience as a police chief.

A farewell party is planned for the Oswalts onFriday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jaffrey Fire Station.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. Shes on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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After three decades of service, Jaffrey's police chief and tax collector say it's time to retire - Monadnock Ledger Transcript