[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Norwell.
Formerly designated Art. VIII. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
The Select Board shall be agents of the Town to institute, prosecute
and defend any and all claims, actions and proceedings to which the
Town is a party or in which the interests of the Town are or may be
involved.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
When recommended in writing by Town Counsel, the Select Board
may, at their discretion, compromise or settle any claim or suit to
which the Town is a party, unless otherwise expressly prohibited by
law.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
The Select Board in their Annual Report shall state what actions
have been brought against and on behalf of the Town, what cases have
been compromised or settled, and the current standing of all suits
at law involving the Town or any of its interests.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
The Select Board shall annually, after the final adjournment
of the Annual Town Meeting, appoint a member of the bar in good standing
to serve as Town Counsel for the term of one year from the date of
his appointment and until his successor is appointed and enters upon
the performances of his duties. They shall likewise fill any vacancy
in said office for the unexpired term, and may employ special counsel
to assist the said Town Counsel whenever, in their judgment, necessity
therefor arises.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
It shall be the duty of the Town Counsel to conduct the prosecution
or defense in actions and proceedings to which the Town is a party,
or to compromise claims, and the prosecution of actions or proceedings
by or on behalf of any Town officer, board or committee as such; to
conduct the defense of any action or proceedings brought against any
Town officer, board or committee as such when the Select Board, having
determined that any right or interests of the Town are or may be involved
therein, shall so request; to conduct proceedings brought by or against
the Assessors before the Board of Tax Appeals; to assist in the prosecution
of complaints of violation of any bylaw of the Town, when requested
to do so by the board or officers enforcing the same; to examine and
report upon titles to all land to be acquired by the Town; to prepare
and approve contracts, bonds, deeds and other legal instruments in
which the Town is a party or in which any right or interest of the
Town is involved; to appear at any and all hearings on behalf of the
Town whenever his/her services may be required; and generally to advise
and act for the Town committees upon and in legal matters touching
the duties of their respective offices.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 11]
The Select Board are authorized to sell at public auction parcels
of land acquired by tax title and possession. Such land must first
be offered to other interested Town boards, departments, committees
and commissions which shall decline or accept in writing.
A.
Notice
of sale shall be posted in five public places and shall be published
at least three times in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Town between 30 and seven days before the date of sale.
B.
The
Select Board may reject any bid which they deem inadequate and the
sale price must be a minimum bid to include back taxes and the cost
of acquisition and sale.
