BY DARRELL HALEN

Evan Haglund, Pelham’s retiring police chief, will become the new police chief in Topsfield, Mass.

Haglund, 51, expects to start his new job in early May. His last day working in Pelham will be April 27.

“The people who work for me have been superb,” Haglund said. “It’s a great town. I’m honored to have served all these years. It’s tough to leave.”

Haglund will commute to Topsfield, which he said is only a roughly 30-minute drive from his home. He may move there after his son graduates from college, he said.

“It’s a very quaint New England historical village,” Haglund said.

Haglund decided to retire from his Pelham job after a change in state law allowed him to buy additional years in the state’s retirement system.

“It’s in the best interest of my family financially,” Haglund said at the time.

He has worked for Pelham 28 years, climbing up the department’s ranks and becoming chief seven years ago.

Selectmen are currently accepting resumes from candidates interested in succeeding Haglund. Capt. Joseph Roark has said that he’s interested in the job.