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Portsmouth council appoints Ciccione and Larissa as town solicitor in 4–3 vote
Summary
The Portsmouth Town Council voted 4–3 to appoint the partnership of Ciccione and Larissa as town solicitor after interviewing multiple firms; staff will ask outgoing solicitor Gavin to assist in a short transition.
The Portsmouth Town Council voted 4–3 during a council meeting to appoint the partnership of Ciccione and Larissa as the town solicitor, with staff to contact the firm and seek a short transition from outgoing solicitor Mr. Gavin.
Council members said the decision followed a multiweek selection process. For the record, a council member said seven firms applied, six were initially selected and four were chosen for interviews; the council then negotiated with three candidates before making a final choice.
The decision followed an earlier motion to nominate the Gidley firm for the town’s solicitor list. A council member who had supported Gidley said, “I felt like the Gidley firm was best able to support us and be available.” That nomination failed on a 3–4 vote. A second motion, to appoint the partnership of Ciccione and Larissa as town solicitor, passed 4–3.
Several council members expressed reservations during debate. One council member said they were “uncomfortable with the representation” that would be provided by the partnership and cited “philosophical differences” as a reason for opposing the appointment. Another council member called the selection process “an excellent process,” saying the council would “have been well served” by any of the finalists.
After the vote, council members said staff would notify the selected firm and ask Mr. Gavin to remain for a short, multiweek transition to wrap up his contract and assist with handoff. A council member noted the town’s legal needs have grown, saying, “The town has grown considerably. Issues are more complex, requiring additional support and skills.”
Council members did not provide a dollar amount for the new contract in the discussion, and no ordinance or statute was cited during the deliberation. Meeting materials indicated the search included interviews held last Thursday and further negotiations with three candidates, but the council did not publish detailed scoring or rank-order results in the transcript.
Staff will reach out to the chosen firm and to Mr. Gavin to arrange the transition and finalize contract details.
