They liked the candidate, but members of the Board of Selectmen had some concerns last week about the salary for the newly created job of director of public health.

The board voted unanimously to appoint Matthew Brennan of Taunton to the post that was created by town meeting for the job that succeeds Westport’s senior health agent post formerly held by James Walsh.

The transition came in the wake of the second animal abuse crisis discovered off American Legion Highway and calls for change in the way Westport cares for and inspects animals. Given past failings, the town needs someone in the post with professional qualifications, supporters said.

“You are eminently qualified,” board member Shana Shufelt told Mr. Brennan, who serves now as environmental health officer for the town of Weymouth.

“But, and this is not about you,” the salary is a concern.

Town meeting set up a salary of $75,000 for the position, but the Board of Health offer to Mr. Brennan is for a starting pay of $80,000 to increase to $85,000 in the following fiscal year.

That, Ms, Shufelt and others said, is more than some comparable administrative posts in town and the raise is greater than the 2 percent increase being given to other employees.

But William Harkins said the Board of Health had no luck attracting a qualified candidate for $75,000.

The first round of applicants included three fully qualified candidates, all of whom declined to take the job at $75,000.

Said Board of Health member Maury May, “If Walmart stock is selling at $85, you cannot buy it at $75.” This is the market rate.

“It seems like we are putting the cart before the horse,” selectman R. Michael Sullivan said.

When the town needed to raise the pay of te lead job at the Council on Aging to attract a candidate, “we went through and got the budget changed before we brought a candidate in.”

Is it fair to hire Mr. Brennan at $80,000 with a promise to go to $85,000 if that is not a certainty, Mr. Sullivan asked.

Town Administrator Tim King said that a contract can be set up including the raise to $85,000 if funding is available.

Selectman Craig Dutra said that Mr Brennan brings a “range of expertise that would be a real asset to the town.”

He has certifications and experience in, among others, inspections, soil evaluation, sanitation (septic systems), environment, lead detection, food management, hazardous materials and more.

Ms. Shufelt asked Mr. Brennan why he wants to take the job.

“Surely you’ve seen that there has been some controversy here, a lot of focus on the Board of Health.”

Mr. Brennan replied that becoming a director of public health has been a career goal for him.

He said he has brought change to Weymouth and believes he can do the same for Westport — he mentioned nitrogen in the river and strengthening farm and animal health regulations and dealing with abandoned properties.