Solicitor explains request process, billing concerns and council communication norms

At the Jan. 13 orientation the town solicitor described how the law office prefers to receive and handle requests from councilors to manage efficiency and legal cost.

The solicitor said routine questions are fine and he will be responsive, especially to the council president, but that significant legal research or projects should be referred to the law department explicitly so the council as a whole directs the work. "Typically, project type of things have been referred to the law department by action of the council," he said, and described how that process preserves transparency and manages billable hours.

Members expressed concern about past one‑on‑one requests that generated high legal bills; the solicitor and council president recommended copying the president and town manager on substantive email requests so answers are visible to the whole council. The solicitor said when questions require substantive response he will reply to all councilors.

The solicitor described that, in practice, he represents the council as a whole and must treat all members equally. He said he cannot honor individual requests to withhold substantive answers from other councilors, and he will advise when an inquiry is substantial enough to require formal placement on an agenda or referral to staff.

Councilors discussed informal practices and asked for clearer expectations; the solicitor offered to help draft language and encouraged members to route complex or time‑consuming legal work through a formal agenda referral to ensure collective direction and to reduce the risk of duplicated effort and higher fees.