[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Ashland
May 1993 Special Town Meeting. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Appointment of Town Counsel — See Charter, Section 9-5(c).
[Amended 11-20-2019 STM, Art. 13]
The Select Board shall have authority to prosecute
and defend all litigation to which the town is a party and to employ
counsel therefor.
A.
The Town Manager, with the approval of the Select
Board, may settle any legal and valid claim or suit to which the town
is a party which does not require the payment of more than five thousand
dollars ($5,000.). Said five thousand dollars ($5,000.) shall not
include fees for defense or prosecution of such suit.
[Amended 11-20-2019 STM, Art. 13]
B.
Any settlement requiring a payment greater than five
thousand dollars ($5,000.), except when authorized by law, shall be
made only when authorized by the voters of the Town Meeting.
[Amended 11-20-2019 STM, Art. 13]
Whenever it shall be necessary to execute any
deed conveying land or any other instrument required to carry into
effect any vote of the town, such deed or instrument shall be executed
by the Select Board on behalf of the town unless the town shall vote
otherwise.
[Amended 11-20-2019 STM, Art. 13]
The Selectmen shall hereafter annually on or
before the first day of July or whenever a vacancy shall exist choose
a competent lawyer to act as Town Counsel. He/she shall receive such
salary or compensation as the Select Board may determine subject to
appropriation by Town Meeting. Town Counsel shall be available for
advice to all the town departments under the supervision of the Selectmen
or Town Manager and shall perform such duties as the Selectmen or
Town Manager may prescribe.
