Ron Young of Morrill, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps with 21 years of experience in law enforcement, will be Damariscotta’s next chief of police.
“He came with excellent references and is going to be an excellent fit for Damariscotta,” Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus said.
“I can’t wait to start and I’m looking forward to meeting the folks in the town,” Young said in a phone interview. He plans to start work around the beginning of September.
The town and Young have a “tentative agreement” in place, Lutkus said. He and Young plan to meet shortly to finalize a contract. Young will also have to pass medical and psychological examinations.
“He’s just top-notch and we’re thrilled to have him,” Lutkus said.
Young was the Lincolnville police chief from February 2008 until Lincolnville dissolved its police department in June.
He was the town’s only full-time police officer at the time, as well as its animal control officer and emergency management director.
A graduate of Belfast Area High School, Young brings experience as a patrol officer with the Belfast Police Department from 2003 to 2008 and a deputy with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office from 1992 to 2002.
He was a Marine from 1987 to 1992 and served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.
Young said he and his family are “very excited” about coming to Damariscotta. “I’ve visited a few times and really enjoyed the town,” he said.
He plans to relocate to the area with his family and is already in the process of enrolling his sons, a freshman, junior and senior in high school, at Lincoln Academy.
He has been active in the Belfast community as a baseball, football and wrestling coach and a volunteer with area schools and other organizations. He plans to continue these activities in Damariscotta.
“I really enjoy kids and meeting people and being around town and [look forward to] being in all the functions Damariscotta has, and my family does as well,” Young said.
Young will succeed Chad Andrews, Damariscotta police chief from 2011 to 2013. Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett has been the acting police chief since March. Andrews is now the deputy police chief.
A committee of residents and a committee of town officials interviewed Young and the candidate also participated in a written exercise, Lutkus said.
The town officials committee members were Lutkus, Selectman David Atwater, Town Clerk Cheryl Pinkham and Maine Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Bob Schwartz.
The committee of residents was comprised of George Betke, Steve Hufnagel, Maria Northcott, Shari Sage and Mary Trescot.
