He worked for 36 years as town administrator. Bellingham was 'spoiled.'

BELLINGHAM — For more than 30 years, Denis Fraine's has worked as the Bellingham town administrator.

Now, Fraine is set to retire from the position he has held since 1987. At the age of 63.

"Denis has been behind every major project in Town for more than three decades and he has made it look easy, often deflecting credit to his direct reports," Selectboard Chairman Michael Connor praised Fraine's work in Bellingham in an email to the Daily News.

Connor, who's in his fifteenth year on the Selectboard said, "Bellingham has been spoiled having this level of consistency and we clearly need someone with prior Town Administrator experience to step in to guide us through the next several years."

Fraine originally planned on retiring next year, but medical issues "moved up" the retirement date. Fraine is currently on a medical leave of absence while he recuperates from an illness and has not been to the office in some time. His retirement will be official before the end of 2023.

"The Selectboard and the town has been extremely helpful during this time, and sympathized to the health issues that I've had," Fraine said.

Looking back at 2012: Town managers offer insight to their longevity

Fraine was the second-highest-paid town employee last year, earning $178,612.

How did Fraine start in the position

After serving as a captain in the Air Force and completing his graduate degree in Public Administrator from Central Missouri State University, Fraine saw the position for Executive Secretary Administrator advertised in the Boston Sunday Globe, "And the rest is history," Fraine said.

The job title changed from Executive Secretary Administrator in 1993, Fraine said the job has also changed a lot in other ways.

Craving food cooked on 'The Bear'? Restaurants in MetroWest that serve what they offer

"It's changed quite a bit actually," Fraine said. "The levels of expertise are different and different departments. The people that we have working for the town are tremendous talents. The town had less full-time personnel in 1987 than it does today. ... Things are much more sophisticated in public safety and in finance than they were 35 years ago."

"When I started in town, there were a lot of things about: 'There's nothing to do in town for the youths' and they'd asked for playing fields and job opportunities. Today, of course, there's a lot of job opportunities, especially for the younger people."

Fraine also noted that almost every school building has been replaced, as well as fire stations, the police station and the senior center.

"We've really seen some improvements as far as facilities go, to better serve the public," Fraine said.

Bellingham searching for new town administrator

The town of Bellingham released a survey for residents to fill out by Aug. 11 to give their input in the process of selecting Fraine's successor.

The Selectboard selected Community Paradigm Associates, LLC to assist in the job posting. Community Paradigm Associates will also assist in the overview of Bellingham for candidates, the selection process and manage interviews in the early phase.

The process is planned to take 16 weeks start-to-finish from July to October, with plans to have a replacement in place for Jan. 1, 2024.

Kings of the diamond: The high school baseball Daily News Baseball All-Stars

The Selectboard is looking for input from town residents. Residents whose email address is registered with the town were sent a survey about the town administrator position.

The Town Administrator is appointed by Bellingham's five-member Board of Selectmen. The Town Administrator manages the day-to-day activities of the community.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Denis Fraine to retire. Bellingham outlines town administrator search