Arlington will soon get underway in the search for a new town manager.

Brian Sullivan, who has worked as Arlington’s top administrator for eight years, is set to retire in February 2012.

“This is one of the hardest working boards I’ve worked with in my 37 year career in municipal government,” Sullivan said of the Arlington Board of Selectmen.

Selectmen Chair Clarissa Rowe called Sullivan’s work “exemplary.” She added it will be a challenge to replace the town manager, and said the town would soon begin the process of finding a new administrator.