NORWICH – In an unexpected move, Richard W. Breslin will retire Dec. 30 after a 21-year career as counsel for Chenango County.

The 62-year-old made his resignation known to fellow Republicans at caucus at the end of last month, however many of those attending the Chenango County Board of Supervisors’ final meeting for 2011 yesterday were unaware of the news. Breslin did not attend the meeting where Clerk of the Board RC Woodford read a prepared statement from him.

Assistant County Attorney Leonard “Bill” Smith said he found out sometime last week that he would be standing in for Breslin at Monday’s meeting.

Breslin will have completed a 10th, 2-year term in office, though Woodford said he began his long career in county government as an advocate for the social services department back in the 1970s. He could not be reached for comment.

Chenango County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Richard B. Decker took the opportunity to thank Breslin for his many years of service.

“I’d like you all to know that even though we’ve had some tough times, his decisions were always made in the best interests of this county,” said Decker. The board chairman did not elaborate.

Breslin joins four other veteran government officials who tendered their resignations this year: Chenango County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Richard B. Decker; former board chairman and Town of Afton Supervisor Robert D. Briggs; Department of Public Works Director Randy Gibbon; and Probation Department Director Laureen J. Clarke. Also, the county’s longtime treasurer William E. Evans stepped away from his post last year.

In all, with supervisors’ retirements and three incumbents ousted during the November elections, the county board will see seven new supervisors around the table at its reorganization meeting on Jan. 3.

The county attorney earned $122,422 salary plus benefits in 2011, including compensation for part time legal work monitoring the county’s self-insurance plan.