Winslow deputy fire chief resigns his post

Scott Bolduc is seen in November 2022 as the deputy fire chief for the Winslow Fire Department. Bolduc has resigned from the post. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel file

WINSLOW — Scott Bolduc, the town’s deputy fire chief who briefly led the Fire Department before it merged earlier this year with the Police Department, has announced his resignation after nearly four years with the town.

Town Manager Erica LaCroix confirmed Tuesday that Bolduc submitted his resignation, explaining that he resigned Sept. 19 and that it was effective immediately.

“We cannot comment on the departure of Deputy Chief Bolduc other than to say he has resigned,” LaCroix said in an email. “We appreciate his three and a half years of service to the town and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

She declined to provide a copy of the resignation letter.

LaCroix herself also has submitted her resignation, with the town confirming last week that she’s departing to become the top administrator in Farmington.

Bolduc has about 30 years of experience in fire service, with more than two decades as a paramedic, according to information on the town’s website. He was a captain with the Winslow department before being promoted last year to deputy fire chief. He then was the interim chief when Chief Ronnie Rodriguez departed late last year to take over fire operations in Skowhegan.

The Town Council around that time merged fire and police operations in a cost-saving move. It began on a trial basis and the council then decided earlier this year to make it a permanent move, with police Chief Leonard Macdaid appointed to the newly created position of public safety director.

Macdaid not did respond to a request for comment on Bolduc’s departure.

The merger has created some concern, with 11 of the town’s 12 career firefighters voicing their opposition to the move at a council hearing in June. Former public safety personnel for the town have also spoken of concerns with Macdaid’s management style, saying that he has an abrasive style that has antagonized others.

LaCroix has countered by saying that Macdaid’s experience makes him the right person to serve as public safety director. She has further said that the merger of the departments is a significant change, and such a dramatic one can be difficult for personnel to accept at first.