Warren town officials will interview eight candidates for the vacant Warren Town Manager’s position, culling what proved to be dozens of applicants down to a manageable number.

According to Warren Town Clerk Julie Coelho, 41 hopefuls applied for the position vacated earlier this year by former Warren Town Manager Michael Abbruzzi. Sixteen of the applicants hailed from Rhode Island, four came from Massachusetts and the rest were sent from Texas, Connecticut, Georgia, West Virginia and Ohio.

“They’re from all over the country,” said Warren Town Solicitor Fausto Anguilla.

The field was narrowed down to eight at Monday’s Warren Town Council meeting. To choose the final eight, each councilor listed his or her favored five to seven applications, and the council counted up the eight most popular choices. No names were revealed; each applicant was assigned a number.

Beginning in early December, the town council will start conducting interviews, said president David Frerichs. He anticipates it will take only a few weeks to make a final decision and hire a new town manager after the interviews are completed.

“It’s an important decision and we’re in a hurry for a new town manager. But if we make a mistake it could take a year to undo the consequences. It’s an important choice,” said Mr. Frerichs.

In order to protect the applicants’ privacy, only the final candidates who agree to be interviewed will have their identities publicized. Counselors say the interviews will be conducted in a public forum such as a town council meeting.