Edgartown’s longtime harbor master plans to retire in early spring after nearly three decades on the job. 

Harbor master Charlie Blair announced his retirement through a letter read aloud at the Edgartown select board meeting Monday. He plans to step down from his post on March 27.

Mr. Blair has been overseeing the town’s busy harbor since 1995 and plans to end his career on the 30th anniversary date of him taking the position. In the letter he said it has been an honor to watch the water, but needs to retire for medical reasons.

“Thank you for your efforts to keep the Harbor clean and protected and [for] your vision that our grandchildren will see it as it was when we were growing up,” Mr. Blair wrote in the letter. 

Edgartown town administrator James Hagerty said the town will move quickly to fill the harbor master position and that he will have a list of candidates for the initial screening committee before the next select board meeting.

“We want to have the harbor master in place well before the summer,” Mr. Hagerty said.

Select board member Arthur Smadbeck said Mr. Blair has been instrumental to the town over the years

“He’s been amazing for the town and it’s going to be a big loss and hard shoes to fill,” Mr. Smadbeck said.