MIDDLEBORO — Police Chief Joseph Perkins will continue leading the department for some time.

He and the town have reached an agreement on a three-year contract that began May 1, Town Manager James McGrail announced at the May 1 Select Board meeting.

The contract then has two one-year extensions if the town and Perkins mutually agree, McGrail said.

This timing will bring him close to, if not at, his retirement, McGrail said.

“We’re happy to keep him,’’ Select Board Chair Mark Germain said. 

Perkins was not present at the meeting but said later that he is “fortunate to have a job I love, being the Chief of Police in my hometown. I’m honored that the town wants me to continue to serve in the capacity. I’m pretty lucky.’’

Perkins will earn a base salary of $190,000 the first year, with a 2 percent increase the second and third years, McGrail said. These terms are comparable chiefs in similar-sized communities and also reflect his longevity in the department, McGrail said.

The chief recently informed the board that he would like to extend his current contract by one year. Select Board members and McGrail decided instead to negotiate a new contract. 

Perkins was named chief in 2014, replacing retiring Chief Bruce Gates. He began as an auxiliary police officer in 1987 and joined the force fill-time in 1989. He was the head of the detective department and served as night shift commander prior to being named chief.