The Portsmouth Town Council voted to appoint a new deputy fire chief Tuesday night at Town Hall. 

Capt. Michael M. Cranson was named the new deputy fire chief after a 4-1 vote with Councilor Liz Pedro in opposition. Councilors Michael Buddemeyer and Judi Staven were absent. 

Cranson, a more than 20-year member of the Portsmouth Fire Department, will replace former Deputy Chief Joseph Bento III, who announced his retirement in early December. Bento served as deputy chief for less than a year and a half. 

"I'm very excited to be able to serve as deputy chief of the fire department," Cranson said. 

A Newport native, Cranson has lived in Portsmouth since 1997. He graduated from Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, MA, and Providence College, receiving a bachelor's degree in fire science. 

He will be sworn into office at a future council meeting. 

Council appoints DPW operator, probationary firefighters

The council also voted to hire a Department of Public Works (DPW) operator for Prudence Island and two probationary firefighters following an executive session Tuesday night. 

The interviews during executive session ended around 11:30 p.m. 

A motion was made to hire Ryan January as DPW equipment operator for Prudence Island. The vote failed 3-2 with Councilors Keith Hamilton and Jim Seveney in favor. 

Councilor Paul Kesson later motioned to reconsider the vote. The council voted 4-1 to hire January as a full-time equipment operator. Pedro was the opposing vote. 

The council also voted 5-0 to hire two probationary firefighters: Joshua Berube of Fall River and Ismael Biurrun of East Providence. 

Council to wait on hiring animal control officer

The council also voted 5-0 to suspend hiring an animal control officer pending further analysis. 

The town of Portsmouth has been without an animal control officer since September, when ACO Betsy Hanson resigned after 22 years of service.