New London — Fire Chief Ronald Samul, a 41-year veteran of the department and chief for the past 27 years, will retire next year, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced at tonight’s City Council meeting.

Samul intends to leave the department April 1, 2013.

Finizio told the council he needs to hire a deputy chief immediately to ensure a smooth transition when Samul leaves. The department has not had a deputy chief since 2004.

Finizio said he posted the job internally several weeks ago and is prepared to make an appointment from among the ranks of the department.