Published: 9/22/2023 3:14:14 PM
Modified: 9/22/2023 3:11:17 PM
GREENFIELD — City Council is looking to revisit the conversation around having its own legal representation, separate from the counsel provided by the city, on a case-by-case basis.
Last year, City Council established a process for how to request an attorney. According to that process, a councilor must first go through council leadership, and if denied, the request can then be brought to a vote by the full council.
“We didn’t have the selection of the attorney in the process we outlined last year,” Precinct 5 Councilor Marianne Bullock mentioned during this week’s City Council meeting. “The one time I wanted to use an attorney it was a quick turnaround, so it was a hindrance that we didn’t have one on deck, even a list of three attorneys we could potentially call.”
City Council President Dan Guin clarified that councilors can ask general questions of the city’s attorneys, but in the case “further clarification” is needed, “we could dip into our own [legal budget] line item.”
Discussion began this week when At-Large Councilor Christine Forgey advocated for “an attorney on speed dial” for access as needed.
“It’s also been recommended to me that we do not put an attorney on retainer, rather we contact an attorney — and there are many fine municipal attorneys — and just ask them if they would be available to us whenever we need them,” she said.
Precinct 1 Councilor Katherine Golub said in light of the discussion around the tax title-taking process and the two proposed ordinances relating to it, the council would benefit from having “an attorney we trust.”
Councilors seemed to agree the matter should be included on next month’s Committee Chairs agenda to determine where it should go, whether that be the Appointments & Ordinances Committee or Ways & Means Committee.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.
