[HISTORY: Adopted by the Special Town Meeting 11-12-1974 by Art. 2
as Art. V, Sec. B, of the 1975 Bylaws; amended in its entirety 11-16-2021 STM by Art.
4. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The Select Board shall annually, in the month
of May, appoint a Town Counsel[1] who shall be an attorney and counselor-at-law and who
shall hold office for the term of one (1) year or until his successor
is appointed. He shall receive such compensation as the Select Board
shall determine, subject to the appropriation of the town therefor.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MGL C. 40.
It shall be the duty of the Town Counsel to
conduct the prosecution or defense of claims, actions and proceedings
to which the town is a party and the prosecution of actions or proceedings
by or on behalf of any town officer, board, commission or committee
as such when the Select Board, having determined that any rights 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
for violation of any bylaw of the town, when requested to do so by
the board or officer enforcing the same; to examine and report upon
titles to all land to be acquired by the town; to prepare or 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
services may be required; and generally to advise and act for the
town officers, boards, commissions and committees upon and in legal
matters touching the duties of the respective offices. Other legal
services, as needed, may be obtained with the approval of the Select
Board.
