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Council presses to resolve town legal services quickly; directs small negotiation team to finalize terms
Summary
After debating in‑house versus outside counsel and compensation/contract terms, the council asked a small negotiating team to work with the candidate and the town attorney to produce a recommended contract for council consideration. Multiple special meeting dates were discussed to complete interviews and a vote before the budget process advanced.
Town attorney services were a central topic during the July 1 meeting. Council members debated whether to hire an in‑house town attorney or continue with outside legal firms. Candidate Jeff (name used in the meeting) discussed compensation and term preferences; he said he expected a multiyear contract. Several council members expressed concern about cost increases in recent years and proposed either hiring a firm or creating a shorter probationary arrangement.
Town attorney Glenn Torsivia and candidate Jeff discussed contract structure. Attorney Torsivia stated he could remain for a limited period while council organized a transition, and candidate Jeff and other council members discussed a potential probationary initial period (6–9 months) followed by an extended term if council so directed. Candidate Jeff and the council also discussed practical hiring issues (paralegal support, staffing needs, and the feasibility of recruiting support staff under a short initial term).
Council ultimately directed a small negotiating team (a council designee plus the town attorney and the candidate) to meet and draft a proposed contract. The council discussed special meeting dates for a final vote and interviews: options included July 22, July 29 and early August dates; the council set an immediate negotiation timeline and committed to follow‑up special meetings to attempt a final decision quickly. The town manager and staff were asked to circulate the draft Request for Letters of Interest and to include foreclosure‑law experience in the scope.
No final hiring vote was taken on July 1. The council’s instruction was procedural: form a negotiation team to return a proposed agreement for council consideration at a near‑term special meeting.
