The Select Board has chosen James Hartnett as Westport's new town administrator.

Board members voted 4-1 Monday evening to appoint Mr. Hartnett, one of two finalists interviewed by the board last week, pending the negotiation and signing of a contract. He is Westport's current town planner and assistant town administrator, and formerly served as planner for the City of Fall River.

Mr. Hartnett beat out fellow finalist Gregory Barnes, the director of budget and finance for Dartmouth, Ma.;. The third finalist, Sonia Alves-Viveiros, from New Jersey, withdrew her application last week. In all, a selection committee identified 27 candidates for the position.

All board members apart from Richard Brewer said Monday that they believe Mr. Hartnett's skills will better serve Westport, though board chair Shana Shufelt acknowledged that on paper, one might consider Mr. Barnes more qualified. But that is not all it takes, she said:

"One of the things I realized when we were conducting the interviews, is I know Jim," said Ms. Shufelt, who worked with Mr. Hartnett on the school building committee and has dealt with him in most areas of town governance.

"He is there meeting with people, very difficult people (and goes) above and beyond what was expected with him."

Member Steven Ouellette agreed.

"Mr. Barnes isn't going to know any of the personalities," he said. "There's no doubt of his abilities, but ... I think Jim just ekes him out a little bit."

Though he said he favors Mr. Barnes and sees "a substantial difference in the qualifications of these two candidates," Mr. Brewer said he would be happy with either.

"I would support him and wish him well," he said of Mr. Hartnett. "I think both would succeed."

The vacancy was created by the retirement of former town administrator Tim King.