East Hampton Appoints New Town Attorney; Jilnicki To Retire After More Than 35 Years in Town Legal Offices

East Hampton Town last week approved the appointment of Robert Connelly to take over the town attorney’s office, replacing John Jilnicki, who will retire after more than 35 years in the town’s legal department.

Connelly was hired after a two-month search, after Jilnicki announced his intention to retire in February.

Connelly worked in the East Hampton Town attorney’s office from 2010 to 2013 as an assistant town attorney. Since then, he has worked on land use, real estate and municipal law at the local the law firms Farrell Fritz and Tarbet & Lester.

He earned his law degree from Hofstra University and is a graduate of Fordham University.

Connelly will earn an annual salary of $175,000.

Jilnicki has been town attorney since 2019. He has worked in the town legal department since 1987 as a deputy town attorney and served as acting town attorney on at least two occasions over the years between appointments.

Members of the Town Board, all of whom have worked with Jilnicki for many years on various town regulatory boards, heaped praise on Jilnicki.

“I want to take a moment and thank John Jilnicki who, for over three decades, has worked with the town in stints as town attorney,” Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said. “His institutional knowledge and knowledge of the town in legal matters is beyond compare. We thank you so much for your dedication to the town and your support to the Town Board.”

“John was always a gentleman, always concerned about the community and … I appreciate it very much, John, it’s been a pleasure,” Councilwoman Sylvia Overby said.

Councilman David Lys recalled Jilnicki’s advice and guidance when Lys was a new member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“There isn’t a question that we go to John with that you don’t have the answer for,” Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said.

“And you happen to be a heck of a nice guy,” Van Scoyoc added.

“Thank you all, I’ve enjoyed it,” Jilnicki said. “It’s been very enjoyable working with this board and prior boards.

Jilnicki will continue working while Connelly settles back into the town offices.