Tuesday marked Southold Town Attorney Martin Finnegan’s last board meeting as he heads off into private practice.
Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the search is on for a replacement. The board has interviewed a number of candidates, and after time to confer, is expected to reach a decision in the next month.
Meanwhile, Finnegan looked back on his experience and explains the reasons for his departure.
“Prior to becoming town attorney, I was in private practice for 17 years,” Finnegan told SoutholdLOCAL. “Serving as town attorney has been extremely gratifying and I am proud of all my office was able to accomplish over the past five-and-a-half years. While I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to provide counsel to all of the town’s elected and appointed boards and to the town’s excellent department heads and employees, my intention was always to return to the private sector and I feel that now is a good time for me and for my family to do so.”
Of Finnegan’s departure, Russell said, “This is a huge loss for the people of Southold. It will be very difficult to find someone of his caliber to assume the role.”
Finnegan has served the town since 2009, when he filled the position left vacant by his wife, Patricia Finnegan, who lost her battle with cancer that year.
A good-bye celebration for Finnegan will be held at Southold Town Hall on Friday.
