Damariscotta Police Chief Ronald Young has resigned, effective March 3. His resignation was announced via an email from Town Manager Matt Lutkus. The email contained a joint statement from Lutkus and Young.

“Ron Young thanks the Town of Damariscotta and its wonderful residents for the privilege of serving as their Chief of Police for over three years. In turn, the Town is grateful to Ron for his hard work hiring top notch staff and for playing an active leadership role in our community, and wishes him well as he resigns to start a new phase of his career.” the statement read. No other reason was given for Young’s departure.

Young had been placed on administrative leave on Jan. 12. Initially, the leave was termed non-disciplinary, but more recent statements by Lutkus included discussion of disciplinary action Lutkus wanted to discuss with selectmen in a closed-door session that was supposed to take place on March 1. At the last minute, the executive session was changed to be a discussion with the town attorney.

Sergeant Jason Warlick was appointed interim chief, pending selectmen’s approval.

Young was appointed chief in September 2013. Prior to that, he was Lincolnville’s police chief from 2008 until the town closed the department in June 2013.

In recent years, Damariscotta has had several police chiefs leave after being placed on administrative leave.  The town demoted former chief Chad Andrews in March 2013. He had been on paid leave for a month prior to his demotion. He resigned in August 2014 and said afterward that while chief, he had been accused of not preventing sexual harassment among male officers. From March to September 2013, Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett served as interim chief.  In 2011, Chief Steve Drake was placed on leave after arguing with the town over the police budget. Then he resigned. The town also considered doing away with the police department in 2012.