Although candidates came from all over, the Damariscotta Police Department didn't have to look far for the best person for the job of sergeant, Chief Ron Young said.

Young spoke Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen’s meeting about the process of looking for a new sergeant for the department and how Officer Jason Warlick was the best candidate all along.

“Officer Warlick has been a fabulous help to me in my year with the department,” Young said. “He's helped me immensely, and you couldn't ask for a better person.”

Young said there were several other candidates, but Warlick, who has served in Damariscotta for three years and was with Wiscasset before that, was the only prospective sergeant with a five-year plan. He also has trust from the community and a knowledge of the area, Young said.

“He's respected by the town, and by his peers,” Young said.

Code enforcement officer

Damariscotta town manager Matt Lutkus said that on a website used by town managers one request keeps popping up: the need for code enforcement officers.

That's why Damariscotta's best bet might be to restructure its agreement with current code enforcement officer Stan Waltz to ensure the town doesn't need to keep looking.

To that end, Lutkus said the suggestion of sharing Waltz's services with several other Lincoln County towns, including Wiscasset, Nobleboro and Newcastle, might make the most sense from a practicality and monetary standpoint.

“We all think that we'd have a better chance of keeping (Waltz) if we can offer him a full-time package,” Lutkus said. “But none of the towns individually would be able to (support a full-time code enforcement officer). We've had the wherewithal to share his services between the towns.”

If the plan is approved, Waltz would technically be a Wiscasset employee, though portions of his salary would be paid by the other towns. Lutkus said the town has a similar arrangement with the count when it comes to the animal control officer.