Impressed by her lifelong experience with animals and dedication to the town, West Tisbury selectmen Wednesday appointed Prudence Fisher as the new town animal control officer.

Ms. Fisher was one of 12 candidates that applied and five that selectmen interviewed last week. Selectmen praised the quality of candidates that were interested in replacing longtime officer Joan Jenkinson. Ms. Jenkinson retired this month after 27 years on the job.

“It was clear we had chosen very well,” Chairman Richard Knabel said.

Cynthia Mitchell agreed.

“They are all excellent candidates, and they know the town of West Tisbury and love the people of West Tisbury, know the sort of job that Joannie did. They were all committed to following in her footsteps and each brought a set of experiences that would easily translate, I think,” she said.

The other finalists were Simon Bollin, Tony Cordray, Janice Haynes, and Jennifer Morgan.

Ms. Mitchell said all the candidates could step into the job and do well, but she was most impressed with Ms. Fisher, who was born on Nip ‘n Tuck Farm. Ms. Mitchell pointed to one moment in particular during the interview, when Ms. Fisher knew right away to lead a lost pig back home with a bucket of grain.

“I liked her demeanor. I think she’s a very straightforward person who brings everything that I’m looking for to the job,” she said. “A young person in town, her experience with communications and needing to be on the spot in a crisis impressed me.”

Mr. Knabel agreed.

“She has, and some of others to some extent, the dual components of understanding how much of a people job it is,” he said. He cited her communications center experience as proof of her skills in working with people. “Also the other component, which is how to handle animals, and having handled animals and been around them all time, whether they be small enough to fit in your hand or big enough to ride, I think is important. I think she knows her way around horses and she certainly doesn’t seem shy about dealing with situations that could occur.”

Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter 3rd said with the appointment they’d lose one of the best 911 dispatchers.

“I’m very selfish about that,” he said. “She’ll be missed up there greatly by the officers, the firemen on the other end.”

The selectmen unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Fisher pending a successful reference check, physical and CORI. They are still working on appointing an assistant animal control officer.

In other business, the selectmen granted an event permit to the winter farmers’ market, which runs Saturdays from Oct. 15 to Dec. 17 with no market on Nov. 26. They also held a moment of silence for Julie Keefe, a longtime town employee who retired in 2011. Ms. Keefe died on Oct. 7.