[Amended 11-4-2014]
There shall be a Town Solicitor who shall be
appointed by the Council for an indefinite term. The Council may also
appoint one or more Assistant Town Solicitors as it may deem advisable
from time to time to serve for indefinite terms. The Town Council
shall solicit Requests for Proposals for the Town Solicitor at least
every five (5) years commencing in January 2015.
a. The Town Solicitor and any Assistant Town Solicitor
shall be attorneys-at-law in good standing who have been admitted
to the practice of law in this State.
b. The Town Solicitor and any Assistant Town Solicitor
need not be required to devote full time to the duties of their office.
The Council, or in matters involving the school department, the School
Committee, may authorize payment to the Town Solicitor, Assistant
Town Solicitor or other counsel specially retained, within the limits
of available appropriation.
c. The Town Solicitor, with the assistance of any Assistant
Town Solicitor, shall be attorney for the Town and legal advisor to
the Council, the School Committee, Town Manager and all other offices,
departments and agencies of the Town. The Solicitor or any Assistant
Town Solicitor shall appear for and protect the rights of the Town
in all actions, suits or proceedings, civil or criminal, brought by
or against it or for or against any of its offices, departments or
agencies, and shall perform such other duties as the Council or the
School Committee may require. Nothing herein contained shall prevent
the Town Council or the School Committee from retaining special counsel
in such cases or other matters as each such body shall deem advisable.
d. The Town Solicitor or any Assistant Town Solicitor
shall examine and approve the forms of all ordinances and resolutions
and the forms of all invitations for bids, contracts and other legal
documents sent out by any office, department or agency of the Town.