The Oak Bluffs selectmen have chosen a new director for the town senior center.

Acting director Rose Cogliano won the support of the selectmen at their regular meeting two weeks ago, nearly 16 months after she took over from former director Roger Wey.

“She really was head and shoulders above those others that we interviewed,” said selectman Walter Vail.

Reached by phone the following morning, Ms. Cogliano declined to comment on her appointment. Her salary has not yet been determined.

Selectmen conducted public interviews with her and the other finalist, Michael Weston, four weeks ago. Originally there were 14 applicants for the position, including nine Island residents. Last week they debated the merits of each candidate before voting 3-1 in favor of Ms. Cogliano.

Ms. Cogliano became acting director a year ago February following the dismissal of former council on aging director Roger Way, who was the focus of an investigation into alleged mismanagement of a fuel assistance charity fund. Before that, she served nearly 10 years as assistant director of the council on aging. In addition, she is a member of the Healthy Aging Task Force, a regional group working to improve the lives of the Vineyard’s elderly.

The other finalist has professional experience in the field of aging at the state and federal level. He currently works as an aging expert for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to his resume.

Selectmen said Ms. Cogliano was well-equipped to handle the hands-on aspect of the position and spoke of “furthering her educational opportunities” to better prepare her for planning and management responsibilities. “I think the people who are part of the senior center are going to be delighted if she continues as administrator,” Mr. Vail said.

Selectman Gail Barmakian cast the lone vote in support of Mr. Weston, whom she said had a wealth of experience in the field.

“I think his accomplishments are all related to what we need,” she said.

But her colleagues wanted to keep Ms. Cogliano in the role of director, especially in light of the controversy that plagued the center during and following the investigation into the financial practices of the former director.

“I think the senior center has been topsy turvy and bring someone from the outside and starting over again, I don’t see that as being healthy,” said selectman Michael Santoro.