In Plymouth, attorneys David Reservitz and Michael Bergeron will be on the agenda for the upcoming Select Board meeting.
The Board, on a 4 to 1 approval of an Administrative Note, during their October 4th meeting, appointed them to serve as in-house town counsel—available two days a week at Town Hall.
Select Board member John Mahoney cast the dissenting vote.
Bobbi Clark has more:
The section of the agenda called Administrative Notes very often, but not always, deals with routine items.
Selectman John Mahoney voted no because he believes the subject of hiring in-house counsel calls for more than an Administrative Note.
“I was especially disappointed that a decision of this magnitude—even though it can be unilaterally decided by the Select Board,” said Mahoney. “I felt that it was worthy of its own stand-alone agenda item so that the public could understand what was going on and then participate.”
Select Board Chair Betty Cavacco:
“Appointing counsel has always been an Administrative Note—forever. It’s never been a public hearing,” said Cavacco. “It’s never been an agenda item.”
Cavacco says this is a great opportunity…
“….for the town to explore in-house town counsel. It if works, it’s going to be fabulous for the town, I can imagine some great savings. If it doesn’t work, we shake hands and say goodbye,” said Cavacco. “There’s no contract signed, there’s nothing. Their rate is $250.00 an hour—that is for everything.”
The Select Board will meet October 18th at Town Hall.