TOPSHAM — Police Chief Timothy Young will resign next month after nearly a decade on the job.

“I have been in the field of Law Enforcement for over thirty-five years and have enjoyed every aspect of my career,” Young said in April 13 resignation letter to the town. “It is now time to explore other opportunities that are ahead of me.”

Young said his last day as chief will be May 4. He expressed thanks to the town for having him as police chief the past nine years, and could not be reached for comment by The Forecaster’s deadline.

Town Manager Cornell Knight said Wednesday that he plans to appoint Lt. Christopher Lewis as interim chief, “and then we’ll consider the recruitment process later on.”

Knight said he has enjoyed working with Young, “and (I) wish him well in whatever his new endeavor is.”

Young, 56, replaced Paul Famulari as chief, and previously served more than 20 years with the Brunswick Police Department, where he advanced to the rank of commander, Lewis said. Prior to that he worked in Massachusetts, according to Knight.

Lewis, who started with the department in 1999, on Wednesday said he will miss the camaraderie he and Young have shared, as well as “the ability for us to work together, and develop a friendship over the years.”

He also said he is interested in succeeding Young on a full-time basis.

“I feel that the lessons I’ve learned from working with Tim so closely (give) me a good advantage and a good knowledge (about the department),” he said. “I definitely would be interested in trying to fill the position that Tim’s going to be leaving, absolutely.”

The Police Department has 12 employees and a budget of $1.3 million, and Young earns a salary of $75,300, according to Knight.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

Copy the Story Link