Though there have been some stressful times, like major water breaks, it's been a good ride said Onset Water Department Superintendent Paul Bokoski who will retire this November.

Looking back after seven years in the position, Bokoski credited the people he works with for helping the department run smoothly.

“They do a great job,” he said. “It makes my job easier.”

Bokoski currently lives in Mansfield. He graduated Bellingham High School and worked a variety of jobs before taking a town job in 1978.

While working as assistant director at the Department of Public Works in Bellingham, he was able to serve in the military for 27 years.

Altogether, Bokoski has 37 years of service in the water industry.

“The best part is serving the residents,” he said.

Though he has full faith that whoever fills his shoes will be in a good environment with a good job, his biggest concern is in the future of the water industry.

“A lot of us are getting to the age now we're going to be retiring or retired and you can't fill some of these positions for some reason,” said Bokoski. “The younger kids want to be firefighters or police officers but they don't want to get into this.”

If anyone applied to become superintendent of the Onset Water Department, they'd need licenses that cost at least $1,000 each, said Bokoski. Most employers have it so that a young person could begin with an entry-level position and the company would pay for their license acquisition.

The Onset Water Department will announce the opening soon.

After retirement, Bokoski plans to play golf often and may take up consulting or inspections, which he's already been asked to do by friends. He has a son and a daughter, and several grandchildren. One of the biggest reasons for his retirement, he said, was so he could spend more time with his grandchildren.