Fred Thiele Resigns as Sag Harbor Village Attorney

Fred W. Thiele Jr. stepped down Monday from his post as the Sag Harbor Village attorney, just days after Rich Warren, a longtime village consultant, gave notice that he will leave at the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year in May. The news comes  just one day before the village board is to hold a hearing on the proposed residential zoning code changes, controversial work done during a building moratorium and that the two men led the charge on. 

Reached on Monday afternoon in Albany, Mr. Thiele, who is also a state assemblyman, said he had been thinking about leaving the position, which he has held for seven years, for some time. He cited the legislative session and personal reasons. His wife, NancyLynn Schurr Thiele, who was hired last month as a town attorney in East Hampton, broke her leg soon after taking the job and is still recovering, he said.

Sandra Schroeder, the village mayor, said Mr. Thiele first indicated he would be resigning in a meeting they had last Thursday. "I'd asked him if he'd stay until the end of the year," she said, referring to the fiscal year. According to the mayor, Mr. Thiele said he would consider it, and then sent a two-sentence resignation letter on Monday. "I'm sad that he's leaving." 

Asked how she felt about his departure, she said, "Disappointed, upset. It's going to be a loss for the village, no doubt." The village will be without an attorney at Tuesday night's meeting and hearing, as Denise Schoen, another village attorney, will be on vacation, she said. A stenographer will be on hand to record the hearing. The mayor said she will also propose that the hearing be kept open for a week for written comments, and to give the board time to consider the comments. She would like a full board to vote on the revisions, and Ed Deyermond is out of the country. She hopes to schedule a special meeting at the end of the month to vote on the amendments. 

Mr. Warren sent a letter to the mayor on April 8 advising the board that his company, Inter-Science Research Associates, was not looking to renew its annual contract for planning and environmental services. His relationship with the village dates back 11 years. "It has been our privilege to have worked for the village, and we are proud of the services we have provided," Mr. Warren wrote. He could not be reached on Monday for further comment.

Mr. Thiele and Mr. Warren had come under fire from village residents who opposed the code revisions they helped to craft, specifically the introduction of gross square footage laws, which were dialed back a bit since they were first proposed in January. 

Ken O'Donnell, a village board member, said he was also sad to see both Mr. Thiele and Mr. Warren go, though he cited health concerns as being the major factor in Mr. Warren's decision. Of Mr. Thiele's departure, he said he felt blindsided. "I would be remiss in saying I'm not slightly disappointed in not having closure in the building moratorium before we'd gone our separate ways," he said. "I would just have liked to have put a period at the end and then would go our separate ways, which would be in a perfect world, I guess." 

Mr. Warren's departure will coincide with the expiration of his contract at the end of the fiscal year on May 31. Mr. Thiele said he had intended to resign after the completion of the new gross floor area law, which the board is poised to adopt. "All the environmental assessment work is done. Everything is finished. It's not like the village is without representation," he said, referring to Ms. Schoen, who represents the land-use boards and worked on the code amendments. "All the legal work is done. Tomorrow night is basically just listening to the public." 

Robby Stein, the deputy mayor, said had not had a chance to speak with Mr. Thiele on Monday. "Fred has been an incredible legislator and advocate for the East End. I felt he was a great resource and counsel to the village. I am sorry he is leaving," he said. 

While the board decides what to do with its zoning proposals, the search for a new consultant and new attorney will begin. Mayor Schroeder said she has a few ideas in mind for the village attorney, but declined to provide any names before discussing them with the board. Mr. Thiele's village salary was $52,500.

Mr. Thiele said that while he will continue to do private legal work he will not look to take on another similar position in local government. "I've done this job for seven years. It's been rewarding, It's time to move on."