CONWAY — Calling it a “bittersweet decision” and saying he has had “the best job in the Mount Washington Valley for the past 25 years,” Conway Police Chief Ed Wagner announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of September, ending a 15½-year run as the head of the department.
Lt. Chris Mattei will succeed Wagner at the helm Oct. 1, after Conway Police Commissioners Bruce Ela, Rodney King and Andy Pepin approved his promotion on Monday.
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