LEWISTON — New chiefs for the city’s police and fire departments were sworn in Tuesday, completing a shake-up at City Hall that began with the resignations of the top two administrators earlier this year.
Police Chief David St. Pierre and Fire Chief Mark Caron had both previously served in interim roles, but were selected by City Administrator Heather Hunter to lead their respective departments after serving for years in Lewiston.
Hunter introduced the new chiefs during a short ceremony Tuesday in front of city officials, public safety personnel and family members of the new chiefs.
She told the Sun Journal that both St. Pierre and Caron “have successfully risen through the public safety ranks, have strong ties and fondness for the community of Lewiston, and have shared great strategic visions for their respective departments.”
“They possess great experience and vast respect within their departments that will allow them to pursue many initiatives as well as confidently face emergencies placed before them,” she said.
St. Pierre, a Lewiston native, has served at the department for 29 years, first as a patrol officer, making his way up to lieutenant before becoming the department’s public information officer.
During the ceremony, St. Pierre thanked former his former chiefs, including former Chief Bill Welch, who he said led him to apply in Lewiston. He called law enforcement “an increasingly challenging career that’s not for everyone,” and said officers are faced with continued changes that include providing counseling and resources for mental illness or substance use disorder.
“I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of Lewiston, the city in which I was born and raised and continue to call home,” he said.
Lewiston City Clerk Kathy Montejo, front left, swears in Lewiston’s new fire Chief Mark Caron, right, Monday night in council chambers. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Caron has worked at the Lewiston Fire Department since 1996 and served at most of Lewiston’s stations as a firefighter. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2011, and served as interim assistant chief in 2017. He was promoted to the assistant fire chief role in 2019.
Caron also served several terms in the leadership of the Lewiston Firefighters Association union. Hunter said Tuesday that his experience in both administration and with the union will provide “much insight and perspective toward the future growth and development” of the department.
After being sworn in, Caron gave a special thanks to Councilor and former fire chief Michel Lajoie, who hired Caron in 1996. Caron said he’s looking forward to “building on the progress of prior chiefs, and continuing the proud tradition” of the department.
A reshuffling of the top roles at City Hall began this summer when City Administrator Denis D’Auteuil and Deputy City Administrator Dale Doughty both resigned within a two-month span.
When Hunter became the new city administrator, former Police Chief Brian O’Malley was tapped as deputy city administrator. St. Pierre became part of the interim leadership team soon after.
Former Fire Chief Brian Stockdale announced his resignation in September, serving until Oct. 27.
The City Council on Tuesday also confirmed Hunter’s appointment of Ralph Lenfestey as Lewiston’s new finance director, placing Lenfestey in the role that Hunter previously held.
Hunter said Lenfestey worked alongside her in the Finance Department for 24 years. He had been serving as interim director since Hunter’s move to the administrator’s office.
Lewiston’s new police Chief Dave St. Pierre, second from left, adjusts his hat after putting it on Tuesday night for the first time after being sworn in during a ceremony in City Council chambers. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
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