NEW GLOUCESTER — Town Manager Carrie Castonguay confirmed Thursday that Fire and Rescue Chief James Ladewig resigned from his post Tuesday after being reinstated to his position Monday.

Ladewig had been placed on paid administrative leave Thursday, Oct. 18, while Castonguay carried out an investigation, about which she declined to comment.

Deputy Chief Roger Levasseur, who was put in charge of the Fire Department based on the command structure of the department during Ladewig’s administrative leave, also was suspended from his duties Tuesday, Castonguay said. 

Following Levasseur’s suspension, Fire Capt. Ryan Mitchell was named acting deputy chief by Castonguay. He will be in charge of the fire and rescue unit, which has roughly 40 members. Castonguay would not give any details on Levasseur’s suspension, saying it was a personnel matter.

Telephone calls to Levasseur were not returned. He has served the department for several decades.

Mary Rich, the town’s deputy chief of emergency medical services, returned to duty this week following her recent leave of absence.

Steve Libby, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, confirmed by telephone Thursday that Ladewig had resigned, and said recruiting a new fire chief is the town manager’s duty.

Castonguay said she is working on documents to begin recruiting a new fire chief to serve the community of roughly 5,500 residents comprising an area of 45 square miles.

New Gloucester Fire Chief James Ladewig resigned from his post Tuesday. (Ellie Fellers/Sun Journal)