Six years ago this month, COVID roared into Westport.
Schools closed. Social distancing sprouted. No aspect of daily life was spared.
Town Hall was closed to most staff. From their homes, officials struggled to manage the crisis.
Assistant town attorney Eileen Lavigne faced a barrage of executive orders, from Governor Ned Lamont.
Boards and commissions could now meet remotely. How would they do it? How could the public join in?
Outdoor dining rules were loosened. What did that mean for Westport? What rules had to change? Who would enforce the new ones? What was practical, doable, realistic — and what would the objections be?
Even notary publics — what they could do, where and how — were impacted.
Eileen Lavigne
“It was fascinating — like being back in law school,” Lavigne recalls.
“I had to do a lot of research into how each new regulation affected Westport.”
Fortunately, she loves the research aspect of her job.
Unfortunately for the town attorney’s office — and everyone in the rest of Town Hall — she won’t be doing it much longer.
Lavigne’s last day is June 5. She’s retiring, leaving big legal shoes to fill.
The Northampton, Massachusetts native majored in public accounting at the University of Nevada. She thought she’d be a tax attorney, but enjoyed her corporate law classes at Pepperdine Law School. After graduation she headed to Washington, for corporate and securities work.
A stint in New York as general counsel for a wine and liquor importer followed. In 2002 she, her husband and young children moved to Westport.
Like many families, they were attracted by the schools, Longshore, the Compo Beach playground, and the variety of things to do.
Lavigne stepped back from full-time work, to raise her children. But she jumped into civic volunteerism — first with the League of Women Voters, then in 2005 on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). She served 6 terms, including 3 years as deputy moderator and 4 as moderator.
Eileen Lavigne (center, wearing flag cap) marches with fellow RTM members at a Memorial Day parade.
Lavigne passed the Connecticut Bar in 2013, and worked part-time for Cohen & Wolf. When Gail Kelly retired as assistant town attorney nearly a decade ago, the job — focused on research, and touching all aspects of local government — seemed like a good fit.
“The town is my only client,” says Lavigne, who is officially employed by Berchem Moses, the law firm of town attorney Ira Bloom.
That client encompasses “all the elected and appointed officials,” says Lavigne.
Revising ordinances, reviewing contracts and easements, assisting with Freedom of Information Act requests — and much more — she provides “clear, consistent legal advice, so they can make informed decisions.”
Lavigne loves learning new things. A question about the laws governing trees on town property, for example, sends her digging into the history of a particular parcel of land.
“It’s a really fun job,” she says.
Also enjoyable: “the people at the firm, and Town Hall. We’re so lucky to have so many bright, dedicated teams working for Westport.”
As assistant town attorney, Eileen Lavigne has worked with 3 first selectmen. Jim Marpe (above) honored her son Alexander Flug with an Eagle Scout proclamation.
During her tenure, Lavigne has learned that “people really, really care about this place. There are so many people with great ideas and great energy. They’re problem solvers. They want to pitch in.”
There are, inevitably, misperceptions about her role as assistant town attorney. She is not, as some members of the public think, legal counsel for residents.
“I can’t help a problem one neighbor has with another,” she notes. “I’m the lawyer for departments.
“I get it. Lawyers are expensive. Some people think I’m here to give them advice.”
When those questions arise, she “points them in the right direction. I tell them who they need to talk to in a particular department to help.”
Lavigne will miss working with colleagues in Town Hall, and at Berchem Moses — Bloom, staff members, and of course the 3 first selectpersons she’s served.
She will not miss “having a full schedule.” Soon, Lavigne will have time to join a gym, go kayaking and to the Farmers’ Market, visit her father in Massachusetts, spent time with other family members, and go to car races.
That’s right. She remarried last June. Her husband Tim restores — and races — classic autos.
Eileen Lavigne and Tim Ritchie were married at Compo Beach last June. Her daughter Kat served as officiant. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
“I’ve loved it all,” Lavigne says. “I’m honored to have had the experiences I’ve had.”
Even the ones during COVID.
So the next time you log on to a Zoom town meeting or dine outdoors, think of Eileen Lavigne.
Her Town Hall office was closed. But the assistant town attorney was working harder than ever, on behalf of the town.
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