By George P. Hassett

Aldermen grilled incoming police chief Tom Pasquarello last week on where he plans to live before approving his appointment.

Aldermen voted 8 to 1 to appoint Tom Pasquarello as the city’s police chief. Pasquarello is expected to start in early December. Ward Three Alderman Tom Taylor voted against the approval due to Pasquarello’s starting salary of $185,000.

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’m not sure living in the city makes me a better chief,” he said. “I can walk down the street from my home and I’m in Somerville in five minutes.”

He said he did not want to disrupt his family with a sudden move to Somerville. He also said he did not want to sell his home in this real estate market.

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