The Boston Town Board on Thursday afternoon named one of its own, Richard K. Hawkins, to serve as supervisor until the end of this year.

Hawkins, a town councilman since 2002, will fill the seat vacated by William A. Eagan, who resigned effective Wednesday after accepting a job with the State Thruway Authority.

“I will try to do the best job that I can do,” Hawkins said shortly after he took the oath of office, with his wife, Linda, and two foster grandchildren at his side in Council Chambers of Boston Town Hall.

The board had accepted his resignation as councilman moments before appointing him supervisor.

Elected in 2001, Hawkins works in the maintenance department at Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity.

Hawkins said he believes in keeping people in their positions regardless of party affiliation as long as they continue to do their jobs and does not foresee major changes in Town Hall.

“We represent everyone in the community,” Hawkins, a Democrat, said.

He said he plans to run for a full four-year term as supervisor in November.

He said there are several ongoing projects and issues in the town, including the construction of the new State Police barracks, water and drainage issues.

Town Board members praised Hawkins.

“Rich shows tremendous compassion for Boston residents whether he’s walking the Eighteenmile Creek or fighting fires in the middle of the night,” said Councilman James E. Pluta.

Board members also praised Eagan for his nearly eight years of service to the town.

In his resignation letter, Eagan cited as among his accomplishments his work on water districts, the installation of a traffic light at Boston State and West Tillen roads and reducing property taxes three times. He also noted the work of Town Board members and town bookkeeper Kathy Selby and his secretary, Julie Costello.

Eagan also resigned from his full-time job as director of the Empire Zone in Lackawanna.