By George P. Hassett

In a vote tonight, aldermen approved a five-year contract, starting at $185,000 a year, for new police chief Tom Pasquarello.

Pasquarello, a former DEA agent, said he would consider moving to Somerville after aldermen told him they thought he should follow similar residency rules as a new patrol officer. Pasquarello, who plans to live in a family home in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge, is not required to live in the city under his contract.

“I was hoping you’d make a stronger commitment than, ‘I’ll consider it,'” said Ward 1 Alderman Bill Roche. Roche later voted to approve Pasquarello’s appointment.