The process of finding the replacement for retiring Town Manager Michael Caira was a smooth one. So it comes as little surprise that the ensuing contract negotiations have been met with a similar result.

According to both sides of the negotiations, a contract for Jeff Hull is likely to be finalized in September, and could be announced during the next Board of Selectmen meeting, which is slated for Monday, September 10.

“At this point, I can just indicate that I have met with the board, we had a productive meeting, and things are looking good,” said Hull. “I would characterize it that we have a tentative agreement, and we just need to actually review the final document and go from there.”

Negotiations have been taking place throughout the summer, and continued as recently as Monday during executive session of the Board of Selectmen meeting.

Board of Selectmen chairman Mike Newhouse said he, like Hull, anticipates that there will be another executive session at the September 10 meeting, and a contract could be voted on that night by board members.

Newhouse said it’s likely the executive session could take place before the regular agenda so that when open session begins, the contract could be finalized.

“We were all starting in the same ballpark, so I think it was positive,” said Newhouse. “It was business-like throughout. We didn’t walk into the room and have a deal five minutes later. It took some discussions, but those talks were never strained.”

Caira’s official last day is slated for September 30, and Hull’s contract will likely go into effect on October 1 when it is finalized. Though this will be Hull’s first Town Manager position, he has served as Wilmington’s Assistant Town Manager for several decades.

Hull said he knows replacing the longest tenured Town Manager in Wilmington history will be no easy task, but it is a job he looks forward to.

“The fact that the board found it appropriate to approach me about the position, I found that very gratifying,” said Hull. “At this point, I’m excited about the prospect of taking on this new role. It’s going to be a tough act to follow, no question. All that I can do is commit all of my time and energy into my position, and things will work out.”