When Ron Young toured Damariscotta, his son asked him if he knew everyone they passed.

“He asked me if we knew everyone, because they were all waving,” he said. “We didn't; the people there are just really, really friendly.”

Now Young will get a chance to know that community first-hand as the new Damariscotta Police Chief.

Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus said Aug. 13 that the town has extended an offer, which has been accepted, to Young, who is the former Lincolnville Police Chief.

With a starting date less than a month away, Young said he can't wait to get back out into the community.

“I'm excited for this,” he said. “In Lincolnville, I knew everything that was going on; I knew everyone. I can't wait to spend some time [in Damariscotta], and to work with the department.

Young has spent 21 years in law enforcement from coast-to-coast. In 1987 the Belfast native joined the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the Gulf War.

Soon thereafter he joined up with the Sheriff's department in San Diego, California. A decade later he left California to return home and in 2002 joined the Belfast Police Department.

In 2008 he became the Lincolnville Police Chief, where he remained until June 15, when the town decided, 187-163, to dissolve the police department during the annual town meeting.

Damariscotta tried to secure a new police chief earlier in the spring, but couldn't find a suitable candidate, Lutkus said. Instead, the search was reopened in July and 17 candidates, including 11 from Maine, applied.

From that group, Young was singled out and was a unanimous pick by two separate selection panels.

“I felt that we had to move quickly to get him,” Lutkus said. “He was out looking for a job, and we didn't want to lose him.”

Current Lincoln County Sheriff and former Damariscotta Police Chief Todd Brackett has been the acting chief since March 5. Former Damariscotta Police Chief Chad Andrews was demoted in March to deputy police chief.

Lutkus said he envisioned Brackett being around to help Young acclimate to his new role in Damariscotta before Brackett's contract with the town ends in September.

“I'm sure he'll work with him to get him up to speed,” Lutkus said.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.