When fire Chief Phil Stevens retires on Dec. 31, fire Capt. Raymond Brunet will take over the reins of the department.
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor of sliding Brunet, 53, into the acting chief's role on Jan. 1, 2019. If all goes according to plan, following a six-month trial period, Brunet will be the next to lead the department.
A Hamilton native, Brunet has spent 30 years on the force, the last two of them as captain.
"He is well-liked and well-respected by the other members of the force," said Selectwoman Allison Jenkins.
His new salary has yet to be decided. Jenkins said interim Town Manager Robin Crosbie, or the next town manager once that person is hired, will likely handle the matter.
Over the next few months, Brunet said he intends to learn as much as he can from Stevens, including the administrative and budgetary aspects of the job.