Interim Police Chief Ed Flint is likely to become Atherton's permanent chief when the City Council meets on Wednesday, May 16. The town's interim city manager is recommending the change.

The matter goes before the council on the consent calendar, which means it could be approved with no discussion unless someone asks that it be pulled off the calendar and taken up as a separate matter.

The recommendation calls for paying Mr. Flint $14,500 per month and authorizing the city manager to negotiate a contract with him. The monthly salary is the same that he has been paid since his July appointment as interim chief.

He received no benefits as interim chief, and it's unknown if that will change if the council approves his appointment as permanent chief.

Also on the May 16 agenda is a public hearing on the proposed 2012-13 fiscal year operating and capital improvement budget; and a discussion of Menlo Park's response to issues and concerns raised by Atherton about the Facebook project's impact on the town, particularly on traffic circulation.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 94 Ashfield Road in the Town Center.

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