Wiscasset’s longtime director of parks and recreation, Todd Souza, is resigning effective April 15. He’s leaving for a similar post in Scarborough, Souza, 45, said in a phone interview Tuesday night.

Leaving was a very difficult decision, he said. He joined the department in December 2002 and took over as director in early 2003 after Wayne Applebee resigned. Souza said the parks and recreation staff aren’t co-workers to him. “I consider them family members.”

In Scarborough, he’ll be the town’s community services director. Souza said the job has much in common with Wiscasset’s post in terms of recreation services; in addition, he’ll be involved with the town-run local cable station and three beaches.

He and his family had been mulling the Scarborough job for a week. “It was a family decision,” he said. He’d been keeping Wiscasset Town Manager Marian Anderson in the loop and on Tuesday, when he knew for certain he was leaving, he had a brief conversation with Anderson, he said.

The Souza family will keep living in Wiscasset; Scarborough is allowing him to travel to his job, Souza said. Asked for his reflections on Wiscasset’s parks and recreation program, Souza said it’s an integral part of the town and he hopes the town continues to support it. “It’s the face of the town,” he added.

Souza had no immediate information on when or how the next director will be found. He planned to talk with his staff this week to see what resources they need to continue to do their jobs in the meantime.

Anderson released Souza’s resignation letter in an email shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The letter, dated March 21, addresses Anderson, Wiscasset citizens and the board of selectmen. It states, in part:

“It has been my pleasure for the past fourteen years to serve the citizens of Wiscasset and its surrounding communities. I am very proud of this department, its staff, committees and volunteers. I look forward to supporting and serving it as a resident.

“Once again, thank you for believing in my fourteen years ago and thank you for your support and dedication to our Parks & Recreation department.”

Anderson did not immediately return an email message seeking comment.

Reached by phone Tuesday evening, the department’s facilities and programs manager, Bob MacDonald, said: “I’m very proud of Todd. And I’m very proud of everything he’s accomplished.”

Selectmen’s Chairman Judy Colby told the Wiscasset Newspaper in an email reply Wednesday, the board on Tuesday night accepted Souza’s resignation letter with the deepest regret, and wished him well in his new phase in his life.

“On a personal note, Todd has been an important part of our community and will be missed not only by adults but the children of our community whose lives he has touched,” Colby wrote. “Todd has brought so much to our town and for that I want to thank him.”