Brunswick has finally settled on its new town manager.

The Town Council voted 5-3 Monday night to offer the post to interim town manager and Brunswick’s longtime finance director, John Eldridge, Benet Pols, chairman of the Brunswick Town Council, said in a press release Tuesday night.

Monday’s vote will allow Pols and Town Attorney Steve Langsdorf to negotiate an employment agreement with Eldridge, who has served as the town’s finance director for 26 years. He had previously been a town manager in South Berwick and Bradley.

Eldridge agreed to serve as interim manager in February after former Town Manager Gary Brown resigned.

The council’s decision comes after the Maine Municipal Association, working in conjunction with the town, received 49 applications for the post. Six candidates were interviewed.

Eldridge became a finalist along with Presque Isle Town Manager Jim Bennett.