The town of Damariscotta will continue the search for its next police chief after a breakdown in negotiations with the top candidate for the position.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus met with the candidate, a New Hampshire resident, June 26.
“His expectations regarding compensation were higher than what I believe is reasonable and considerably higher than what was posted in the job announcement,” Lutkus said in a June 27 email. “We were not able to come to an agreement and I am not comfortable appointing one of the two other finalists.”
Lutkus said he plans to review the resumes of the 22 original applicants to see if the town wants to reconsider some candidates.
In the meantime, he will ask the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen to extend a contract with Lincoln County for County Sheriff Todd Brackett to continue to serve as acting police chief.