Merry, sudsy, belated festivities.

Byline: Kim Ring

WARREN - Just a few weeks into his new job and the town's police chief is already in hot water, literally.

Bruce D. Spiewakowski, along with a half-dozen or so of his officers, spent part of last night washing dishes, cleaning up after they helped serve up the department's annual Christmas feast.

The event was postponed from last month because of inclement weather, senior center director Armand H. Dimo said.

Chief Spiewakowski, who claims he can debone a cold turkey in under 10 minutes, also made quick work of the piping hot birds as he helped carve and serve them to more than 100 senior citizens.

The police have been hosting the annual dinner for more than 20 years, Sgt. Joseph R. LaFlower said. Town employees and police and fire dispatchers also helped out.

Yesterday's event provided a good chance for the new chief to meet dozens of residents. He said he has been frequenting various businesses in an effort to learn about the town. He said he will visit the school and plans to meet with John J. and Magdalen M. Bish, whose daughter disappeared in 2000 and whose remains were later found on a Palmer hillside.

He said he wants to familiarize himself with the case.

The new chief also talked with state Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Palmer, about the possibility of finding state funding for a new police station. He and Sgt. LaFlower said the current police station is in bad condition and the pair spent more than an hour last week...