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Emerson governing body hires special counsel for department investigation with $7,500 cap
Summary
On Jan. 20, 2026, the Emerson governing body voted to hire Tom Delaine, Esquire, as special counsel to investigate one borough department, approving a not-to-exceed fee of $7,500 after reconvening from closed session.
On Jan. 20, 2026, the Emerson governing body approved hiring Tom Delaine, Esquire, as special counsel to conduct an investigation of one borough department, with the council setting a not-to-exceed fee of $7,500. "I make a motion to hire Tom Delaine Esquire as special counsel," the presiding official said during the reconvened meeting.
The motion was moved and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The clerk called the roll and recorded affirmative votes from Councilwoman Chalino, Councilwoman Argenzia, Councilman Ellis, Council President Rice, Councilman Timmerman and Councilwoman Sayers. The motion was announced as passed on the record.
The hire followed a closed executive session that the council entered earlier in the meeting under the statutory notice read on the record (resolution 72-26). The presiding official stated the $7,500 cap in open session when making the motion; no additional public details about the subject or scope of the investigation were provided during the meeting.
The council did not provide a public timeline or further procedural steps for the investigation during the meeting. The session concluded and the governing body adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
