WILTON — A former lieutenant with the Police Department has agreed to fill in as interim police chief for as long as the town needs him, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said Thursday.

E. Page Reynolds can begin work Monday, March 7, and work with Chief Dennis Brown during his last week with the department.

“This will offer a very smooth transition and our department will continue along without missing a beat,” Irish said.

Selectmen will need to officially approve and appoint Reynolds to the position, she said. Irish is setting a meeting of the board for 10 a.m. Friday at the town office to consider hiring Reynolds for the salary position with no benefits, she said.

Reynolds, a retired Connecticut officer, resigned as lieutenant at the end of December. With sons still in school, his family was hesitant to make the move here. He commuted, working his scheduled days here and returning home on his days off, Irish said previously.

The lieutenant, with more than 20 years of experience as a homicide and drug investigator and patrolman, used that knowledge and experience to bring a new, young staff a long way over the last year and a half, Brown said.

The board accepted Brown’s resignation with regret on Tuesday. In an executive session, the board made no official decisions, Irish said, but did issue the following statement:

“We strongly support the current department; we are exploring an interim police chief, as well as exploring all options for the department.”

Other police departments and individuals have offered their assistance while the town decides on its next chief, she said.

After four years, Brown gave a two-week notice to take a position as Public Safety Director in Folly, S.C. He and his wife, Amanda, have chosen to move closer to their families. Brown’s final day in Wilton is March 14.

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