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Special Board of Selectmen's meeting March 15, 2018 - recommendation for new Town Att'y made
Chair. of the Select Committee reported to the Board of Selectmen.  The process was to consider the legal services needed to be provided as of 2018, interview firms (3 interviewed of 8 all together who replied to RFP).  The Committee recommended unanimously to go with a different firm than the present one.




MEMBERSHIP
MISSION STATEMENT





EARLIER MISSION STATEMENT  HERE.

New Commission Appointed at Selectmen's Meeting on June 21, 2012:
Members:  Jeff Eglash;  Howard Aibel;  Maryanne Bolella; Kevin Korsh; Angeles T. Rodriguez


LEGAL REVIEW
Final report presented and discussed, 9-3-13.



Legal Review, Second Meeting, August 27, 2012
Full Committee in attendance (one member not in this photo).

Selectman Dennis Tracey described the work of 2008 Committee.   Charge more circumscribed this time, in that only years between 2008 and 2011 to be reviewed.  Previously, there had been a seven year "look back" and the seven member Committee was able to pick particular situations to review in detail. 

This new Committee will next take steps to interview Town Administrator, Town Attorney and Land Use Director.  Similar approach, in About Town's thinking, as the newly reconstituted Board of Ethics took when reviewing complaint against candidate from 2011 election cycle.  Discussion of Freedom of Information strictures (i.e.  any discussions by full Select Committee or quorum of same, outside "meeting" actually would be a meeting, as explained by one member).  Attorneys (4) on the Committee plus one non-lawyer - but knowledge of FOI is most familiar to those who have operated in the public realm. 

Possible discussion with Board of Education staff.  Two members of the public present.  We left before election of chair. and Sec'y.

Special Board of Selectmen, Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 9:30am in the Town Hall Meeting Room
Discussion/decision regarding selecting members for the Committee.
Special Board of Selectmen, Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 11am in the Town Hall Meeting Room

After legal review: 'Verdict' favorable for town attorneys       
Weston FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay    
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 11:44 

The town of Weston is being well served by its legal counsel — G. Kenneth Bernhard and Patricia Sullivan, attorneys with Cohen and Wolf.

That is what Dennis Tracey, chairman of the Select Committee on Legal Review, reported to the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, June 19.  Winding up a six-month study and investigation, the committee gave its findings verbally to the board and said a written report would follow shortly.

In January, First Selectman Woody Bliss and Selectman Gayle Weinstein appointed the seven-member ad-hoc committee to review the performance of the town’s legal counsel, and make a recommendation as to whether the town should solicit proposals from other law firms.

Over the course of the next six months, the committee reviewed extensive documentation, cases, contracts, bills and billing statements, and information from towns comparable to Weston. It also interviewed 20 witnesses, and received written input from the public and through testimony at a public hearing.

First rate

Mr. Tracey said it was the committee’s finding that in terms of overall quality, town counsel’s representation of Weston has been “first rate.”

“Throughout their tenure, they have been responsive to the town’s boards and commissions. They have been flexible and practical and have done the job right,” Mr. Tracey said.

In addition to good performance, the firm’s fees, hourly rates, and retainer are in line with those in other towns, Mr. Tracey said. He noted the firm has even gone so far as to make things less expensive for the town by utilizing the services of state agencies whenever possible...

Delighted

After the meeting, Mr. Bernhard said he was delighted with the committee’s report. “After an exhaustive investigation, an impartial and extremely qualified citizens group has concluded that the services provided by my firm, my partner Pat Sullivan, and me are first-rate. We take a lot of pride in the hard work we provide to our clients. It is quite flattering to have someone agree that we give good legal services for good value,” he said.

Mr. Bliss said the town has been well served by Cohen and Wolf and admonished critics who spoke out against them at public meetings...


In addition to Mr. Tracey and Mr. Fleming, other members of the Select Committee on Legal Review include Lincoln Briggs, Elayne Robertson Demby, Steven Ezzes, Douglas Olin, and Keith Watanabe.

Please refer to FORUM for story in full.