The town personnel director has named three finalists for Arlington fire chief, including the current interim chief, Robert Jefferson. Caryn Cove Molloy told YourArlington that the other finalists are Richard Weismann and Bernard Ryan. Cove wrote in an e-mail Feb. 6 that she has received permission to certify those on an the eligibility list created following the last round of assessing candidates.The three candidates have to sign a list that indicates whether or not they are willing to accept the position. They have until Thursday, Feb. 14, to do so.

Jan. 6: Jefferson on job as interim fire chief

If all sign, then Town Manager Brian Sullivan will have the option to interview all of the candidates, Cove wrote.

It is expected that Sullivan would start with the first on the list, Jefferson. If the manager does not choose the first on the list, then he must provide a selection and reasons for not choosing the first candidate to the Human Resources Division in Boston, Molloy wrote. 

"I am unsure at this time if he will be interviewing all three candidates, given the nature of how HRD appointments are made," she wrote.

Jefferson declined to comment while the search for McEwen's successor continues. 

No further information was available about the other two finalists. 

McEwen, 55, took over as fire chief in 2005. He announced his retirement in a Nov. 16 letter to Town Manager Brian Sullivan.

McEwen, who worked for the town of Arlington for 31 years, also resigned as director of emergency management for the town.