A longtime game warden from Windsor will take over leadership of the Maine Warden Service, officials announced Monday.

Capt. Joel Wilkinson is expected to be sworn in as colonel of the warden service this afternoon by Gov. John Baldacci. Wilkinson has been acting major – the warden service’s second-highest officer – since November, when the former colonel, Tom Santaguida, abruptly resigned for violations of Maine’s commercial fishing laws.

Maj. Greg Sanborn, who has filled Santaguida’s spot in the interim, will continue to serve as second-in-charge.

Roland “Danny” Martin, commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, praised Wilkinson’s job performance during the past six months.

“His command of personnel, finances and field operations helped the division endure a trying time of budget cuts and near-record snowmobile fatalities,” Martin said in a statement announcing Wilkinson’s appointment. “In his new role, Wilkinson’s organization and communications skills will be a valued asset in directing this law enforcement branch through any challenges that may be ahead.”

Arguably one of Wilkinson’s biggest challenges will be deciphering how to meet growing demand for the services of game wardens amid a climate of shrinking budgets and rising fuel costs. In a controversial step to save money, DIF&W officials earlier this year limited wardens to 60 miles of driving a day.

But this past winter’s deadly snowmobile season – as well as a spate of missing-persons cases recently – help illustrate that the state’s 125 wardens are being called upon to do far more than merely enforce Maine’s fish and game laws.

That has led some, including Martin and Baldacci, to suggest that hikers, paddlers and other outdoor recreation lovers who do not need special licenses nonetheless should somehow help pay for the backcountry services wardens provide.

Wilkinson joined the warden service in 1992 and has worked as a district game warden, an investigator and a sergeant. His responsibilities included overseeing the wildlife crime investigations division, the landowner relations program, the service’s training bureau, and the white-water boating enforcement and safety program.

Wilkinson could not be reached for comment Monday evening. But in a statement, the new top warden said the challenges faced by the warden service come with “great opportunity for our staff to build partnerships and solve problems on a local and state level.”

State law requires that the colonel position be filled by a current warden. A search committee of law enforcement officials and game wardens advised Martin during the selection process.

Wilkinson’s predecessor, Santaguida, resigned Nov. 1 after he was cited for having nine lobsters that were under the legal size during a routine boat inspection. Santaguida operated his own lobster boat in addition to his warden service duties.

kmiller@bangordailynews.net

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