There shall be a Town Solicitor who shall be appointed by the
Council upon formal application, upon the basis of his/her qualifications,
and after a merit interview with the Council. The Solicitor shall
serve for an indefinite term and shall not be discharged, except upon
a majority vote of the Council. Assistant Town Solicitors shall be
appointed by the Council as set forth herein, to serve for a term
concurrent with that of the Council and until their successors are
appointed and qualified.
The Solicitor and any Assistant Solicitors shall be attorneys-at-law
in good standing who have been admitted to the practice of law in
this state. The Solicitor and Assistant Solicitors shall be graduates
of an accredited law school and shall have been in practice in the
State of Rhode Island for a minimum of five years.
The Solicitor and any assistant solicitors need not be required
to devote full time to the duties of their office and shall receive
such compensation, either on a salary or fee basis, as the Council
may determine.
All written legal opinions furnished to the Council, the Manager
and all departments, offices and agencies of the Town together with
the resolution, letter, or other memorandum requesting the opinion,
shall be filed with the Town Clerk in accordance with prescribed procedures.