SOMERSET — At its first regular meeting to be broadcast live, the Board of Selectmen last night promoted longtime Assistant Harbor Master Robert “Buster” Ganem to the post of chief harbor master.

He replaces Louis Moniz, who resigned at age 77.

The other assistant, Dennis Mello, had also applied for the job, but after interviewing both candidates, the vote for Ganem was unanimous. It came with no public debate.

“Either one of them is capable of doing the job, which is what you want,” said Selectman Chairman William Meehan.

He said anyone who wants to apply for the now-vacant assistant harbor master post should contact the town administrator’s office.

Meehan had indicated previously that he favored giving the job to Ganem because of his long tenure. Ganem has been an assistant since October 1993. Mello was appointed last October.

Both are lifetime boaters.

Selectman Lorne Lawless had favored a more formal interview process, so both men were asked a series of questions about their qualifications and experience.

He asked them about rescues they had done and details about their certifications, such as Mello’s experience with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The two were also queried about how they would handle major storms and what they would like to do if they faced few budgetary restraints.

Ganem, for example, said the town’s two pumpout boats need to be replaced. Mello talked about the importance of inspecting moorings every two years and replacing them, if necessary.

He also said that the moorings should be registered annually, but Meehan and Selectman Patrick O’Neil recoiled at his suggestion that the town charge a $25 fee per year. A similar suggestion years ago had met with strong resistance, they said.

Ganem said teamwork is important to the post.

“One person can’t do it alone. It’s a volunteer program. It’s a lot of time. It’s nice to have the equipment. It’s nice to have the backing of the town,” he said.

The selectmen have been trying for many months to have their sessions broadcast in real time on Comcast Channel 15, one of the public access channels, and yesterday it finally happened.

A tape of the meetings will continue to be broadcast Friday nights at 7 and Sundays at 1 p.m.

gemery@projo.com