Board approves retainer for attorney David Rubin after public objections

The West Milford Board of Education voted to approve a retainer agreement authorizing the district to engage attorney David Rubin if needed, a motion questioned during public comment.

During public comments on agenda items, resident Lisette (transcript uses Missus Romeo) of Long Pestell Drive urged the board to reject item 16.14, which would renew or extend Rubin’s retainer. She said the district had already paid Rubin about $2,000 and argued that the board should not continue to spend funds on the attorney. She also referenced district policy 0148 (board member indemnification) and said she believed the policy had not been discussed or applied consistently.

Board members asked staff clarifying questions about the motion. Administrators explained the item before the board was a retainer authorization — not a payment in advance — and that Rubin had previously been on retainer through May 21; the current motion would authorize retainer coverage to the end of the year and permit billing only if services are used.

On roll call the board carried the motion; the meeting record shows the motion passed as part of the operations agenda (roll call recorded in the minutes). The district did not take further public comment on the vote at the time and no additional financial details or invoices were read into the record during that agenda item.