West Tisbury selectmen plan to formally review the contract of Police Chief Beth Toomey in executive session, after learning the agreement contains language that automatically renews the employment terms every three years and has allowed the police chief to accumulate over $50,000 in unused sick days and vacation time.

Selectmen briefly discussed Ms. Toomey’s contract at their regular meeting on Wednesday. Selectman Richard Knabel said he reviewed a copy of the contract and found the language that renews itself every three years, which he said has happened in previous years without a formal review by selectmen.

“As I understand it, [the contract] has been in effect for 12 years, and it has never been reviewed. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it needs to be reviewed . . . at some point I think we need some input from [town counsel] on this,” Mr. Knabel said.

Chairman Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter, a sergeant for the police department, recused himself from the discussion. Ms. Toomey was not in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting.

Mr. Knabel said there was language in the contract that allowed the police chief to accumulate approximately $51,000 in unused sick days and vacation time. In a phone conversation with the Gazette, Mr. Knabel questioned what would happen if Ms. Toomey decided to retire, and the town had to pay all the money for unused sick time and vacation days all at once.

Mr. Knabel said the review of the chief’s contract is strictly a financial matter, and has no bearing on her job performance.

“It’s not a reflection of her at all. Let’s be very clear about that,” Mr. Knabel said. “We, as selectmen, need to know these things so additional costs don’t come as a surprise. You may recall, a few years ago we had a $250,000 bill for legal services from the board of assessors that came as a surprise.”

Mr. Knabel and selectman Dianne Powers agreed to review the chief’s contract in executive session, before sending it to the town’s labor counsel for a further review. According to town records, Chief Toomey’s current salary is $95,560.

Mr. Knabel said he did not know if Ms. Toomey was planning to retire anytime soon.

When reached by phone yesterday, Chief Toomey said she has considered retirement recently, but was not prepared to make any announcements.

“I’m 56 years old. That’s what you talk about when you’re 56 years old. But no, I haven’t made an announcement, or set a date. Eventually I will retire . . . I don’t know when, exactly,” she said.

Chief Toomey described the discussion of her contract as a routine matter. She said she had held her current contract for 12 years out of her 15 years as chief, and the pact has been reviewed by selectmen three times previously. The chief said it was standard for selectmen and town counsel to review her contract.

“They look at it, they send questions to the attorney, they talk to me. It’s all pretty routine,” she said. “I’ve worked hard for this town, and I don’t mind them looking at my contract.”