HOULTON – After a nearly six-month search, the town is “very close” to hiring a new chief for the Houlton Police Department.

Town Manager Douglas Hazlett confirmed Thursday that the search for an administrator to take over the position vacated when former police Chief Daniel Soucy resigned last August has been narrowed to one candidate.

The individual in question only has to clear one more hurdle, a background check, before his anticipated hiring, said Hazlett.

Organized last September, the eight-member selection committee charged with finding a new leader for the department pored through a list of more than 40 applicants and whittled that list down to four candidates. Those applicants were interviewed over the past few weeks.

The selection committee consists of representatives from the town council, SAD 29 and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the town clerk and Hazlett.

Houlton police Lt. Daniel Pelletier has been serving as acting chief for the department since Soucy’s departure.

Pelletier, who did not apply for the chief’s position, also sits on the committee.

An executive session to update town councilors on the interview process and the candidate is scheduled to take place on Monday evening.