For Police Chief Bob Szala, afternoons are now open to much-needed rest, accompanied by his dog and Netflix.

After suffering a heart attack on April 11, Szala is home recovering, and will be out for at least a few months, he said.

"I feel great. I just tire myself quickly, which I'm told is normal. It just takes time to build up my strength again," said Szala in a phone interview. Szala is now undergoing rehab treatment three times a week.

The 56-year-old drove himself to the hospital from his Dartmouth home on the evening of April 11, said Deputy Chief Brian Levesque. Szala had started experiencing symptoms at the Russells Mills Road headquarters earlier that day, Levesque added.

"My goal is to take care of myself," said Szala. He added that he has every intention of returning to the department, with the dream of cutting the ribbon for the new police station. The station could open in May 2019 if passed by June Town Meeting voters.

Levesque is currently running the department in Szala's absence, with Captain Mark Zielinski acting as second in command.