After over two hours of deliberation, the Bristol town council named Gregg Marsili, a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, to serve as Bristol’s next harbormaster.

Mr. Marsili currently serves as the officer in charge at the Aids to Navigation station in Bristol.

Over the course of several months, a search committee narrowed the field to three top candidates, including Mr. Marsili, interim harbormaster and former assistant harbormaster, Matthew Calouro and David M. Sylvaria. All three candidates were interviewed extensively by members of the town council before the council made their decision on Wednesday night during an executive session meeting.

Councilor Nathan Calouro, brother of harbormaster applicant Matthew Calouro, recused himself from all discussion regarding the hiring during the process.

With four members of the council to vote, the decision was supported by council chairwoman Mary Parella, vice chairman Halsey Herreshoff and Tim Sweeney. Councilman Edward Stuart abstained.