The Board of Selectmen shall annually in June appoint and, subject to appropriation therefor, fix the compensation of an attorney at law who shall be a member in good standing of the bar of the commonwealth, to serve as Town Counsel at the pleasure of the appointing committee. The Board of Selectmen shall likewise fill any vacancy in said office for the unexpired term thereof. The Selectmen may employ special counsel whenever, in their judgment, the necessity thereof arises.
The Town Counsel shall, subject to the direction of the Selectmen, conduct the prosecution, defense or compromise of legal proceedings to which the Town is a party and the prosecution or defense, as the case may be, of legal proceedings by or against any Town officer, board or committee. He/She shall prepare legal instruments to which the Town is a party or in which any right or interest is involved, shall advise any Town officer, board or committee upon legal matters and proceedings affecting the performance of his or its official duties, and shall perform such other duties as may be imposed upon him/her by these bylaws or vote of the Town, and as further set forth in a memorandum of agreement to be established by the Board of Selectmen with the advice of the appointing committee.