LYNNFIELD – The seventh chief in the Lynnfield Police Department’s 90-year history was appointed Monday.Sgt. David Breen, a 16-year veteran of the department, replaced the former chief of police, Joseph Dunn, who retired on Oct. 31.Town Selectmen appointed Dunn the interim chief in 2009 when long-time police and fire chief Paul Romano stepped down.In October, Dunn reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 years old, which “meant that he had to go,” according to Town Administrator William Gustus.In 2009, Dunn earned a salary of $153,969. Breen’s contract, however, has not yet been finalized.”We’re going to sit down next week and figure it out,” Gustus said.Breen and three other candidates – Sergeants Karl Johnson, Sean Donovan and Richard Lamusta – vied for the top position, but Breen placed first in assessment activities amongst the group.Before Breen was chosen, the town considered removing the police chief position from the state civil service program, which would have made the next chief a contract employee similar to department heads. That move was voted down at a Town Meeting.Breen, a Lynnfield resident, previously worked at the Peabody Police Department.Calls placed to Breen Wednesday were not returned.