Wiscasset will be advertising for a new police chief following the resignation of Troy Cline. Town Manager Marian Anderson announced Cline’s departure in an email Tuesday morning, March 8. Anderson said Cline has been hired as police chief for the town of Buxton. His last day on the job in Wiscasset will be March 24.

In the same email, Anderson stated, Thomas Hoepner had resigned as the Wiscasset Police Department’s school resource officer. The school superintendent’s office reported Hoepner’s resignation was effective March 7.

Cline was hired as Wiscasset police chief in August 2011, according to Anderson.  In his resignation letter to selectmen, Cline wrote that he’s “thoroughly enjoyed” his tenure as police chief.

“During the past four an a half years I have worked hard to bring your police department up to modern policing practices and standards,” he wrote. “The (department’s) policies and procedures manual has been updated and is current with the Maine Chiefs of Police Association and Maine Criminal Justice Academy model policies.”

In 2013-14, Chief Cline secured Homeland Security Grant funding through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to purchase two mobile data terminals for the police cruisers, portable radios, digital cameras, first aid kits and other items for the police department.

Continuing on in his letter, he thanked both the town manager and selectmen for their support. “I would especially like to thank the citizens of Wiscasset for their trust and confidence in me and the police department,” he wrote.

Reached for comment, Ben Rines Jr., chairman of the board of selectmen, was at a loss for words.

“I wish him well and understand why he’d want to work in his hometown where his family is,” Rines commented. Rines admitted it was frustrating to see another department head leaving. “It seems lately like we can’t hire anyone willing to stay for any length of time. It’s kind of like we’re becoming a revolving door for administrators and department heads.” In December, Wiscasset’s town planner resigned after less than a year on the job.

Of Officer Hoepner’s resignation, Rines said the board had only just hired him this past September. “It’s disappointing he didn’t stay at least through the school year.” Rines added both positions will be discussed when the board meets for its next regular meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 15.

Selectman Judy Flanagan was disappointed at hearing of the police department resignations as well. “I don’t think they had anything to do with one another. Still, it’s unfortunate timing,” she said.

Board member Jeff Slack said he wished Cline all the best in his new endeavors. Slack said he was sorry to hear of officer Hoepner’s departure. “I really like Tom and hate to see him leaving as school resource officer.”

Selectman Judy Colby said the community will miss Cline. “I was on the board when we hired him. One thing that impressed me was his sincere commitment to the community, young people in particular. He’s done a very good job but I understand his reasons for wanting to be closer to his own family. It’s just very sad to see him go, a real loss.”

Colby said she wasn’t as well acquainted with Officer Hoepner. “I’ll continue to support funding for the school resource officer,” she told the newspaper. “I think the position is really needed.”

The school superintendent’s office said the school resource officer is a part of the Wiscasset Police Department and hired by the town. This year the town is funding 100 percent of the position, although in 2016-17, it will be voted on as part of the school budget for the hours worked for the school department.