Westport Operations Director Announces Resignation

WESTPORT, CT — First Selectman Jim Marpe announced Monday that Sara Harris, the town's operations director, will be leaving her position this month to accept a consulting opportunity in the private sector.

Harris joined the town of Westport as an employee in July 2017. Her resignation is effective Aug. 27, according to a news release.

Marpe praised Harris' work ethic and noted he will miss her dedication, work ethic and demeanor.

"I am pleased that she worked to implement the projects and tasks we asked her to complete," Marpe said in a news release. "Sara did this without partisanship and remained grounded in her professional values for efficient and transparent operations in government. I am confident that the improvements we put in place will benefit the town and Town Hall operations for years to come. Her role in helping me effectively communicate with our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and [Tropical Storm] Isaias cannot be overstated. I am grateful that Westport benefitted from her dedication, analytical skills, and work ethic. I wish her much success in her new opportunity."

Lynn Scully, the town's audit manager and senior accountant, will serve as interim operations director. Harris will transition some of her tasks to Scully and to other staff members, although some projects will remain on hold until a replacement can be found, Marpe said.

A replacement hire posting will be released in the coming weeks. It is expected that, upon assuming office in November, the incoming first selectman will choose the town's next operations director, Marpe said.

"I joined the town of Westport with the goal of using both my education in public policy and my experience with municipal operational efficiencies in the city of New York," Harris said in a news release. "As operations director for the town of Westport, I worked diligently to understand the community and to implement valuable projects and policies that benefit the residents of this town. I am happy to say that much of what I completed has been well-received and appreciated by many."

Harris noted it was with "very mixed emotions" that she announced her resignation.

"First Selectman Marpe and his administration have been an inspiration to me, and I will carry that guidance throughout my career," Harris said. "I will also miss the staff and friendships that have developed over the last 4.5 years, including some of the kindest, intelligent and generous residents and volunteers I have ever met. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the town of Westport."

According to Marpe, Harris was tasked with coordinating complex projects and issues that require interdepartmental coordination, including the digitization of the land use permitting process to the Accela software.

She also established and created annual management reports for the town's budget book and oversaw the associated performance metrics for all town departments, Marpe said.

During the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Harris has held the title of public information officer and managed all public communications, including complex resident concerns that came through the selectman's office and required liaising with utilities, the state, town staff and others.

She has also acted as the town's economic development director and implemented several projects, including the town's rebranding and website launch in 2018.

According to Marpe, Harris has helped the town achieve recognition for several grants and awards including the allocation of $2.8 million in federal funds to dredge the Saugatuck River. She has also played integral roles in the town's sustainability and diversity initiatives, such as updating the historical markers.