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Date: 6/18/2015
WILBRAHAM – The town recently published a request for proposals (RFP) seeking the services of a new town counsel after it was recently announced that longtime Town Counsel Michael Hassett would be leaving the position on June 30.
Board of Selectmen Chair Robert Boilard told Reminder Publications Hassett is leaving the position in order to move closer to family members residing in another part of the country. He has been in the position for approximately 17 to 20 years.
Boilard said the town is not obligated to put out an RFP for town counsel services, but did so because it would generate feedback regarding the costs associated with bringing a new town attorney on board.
“We’re trying to find someone that has the experience in municipal law [who] is able to do it economically, in a fiscally prudent manner, for the town,” he added.
The town does not have a salary range in mind at this point, he noted.
“We’re looking for more of the RFP – what the demands from the town would be from whoever has applied,” he added. “It’s a fact finding mission for us.”
Interviews will likely begin within a couple weeks, Boilard said.
“We will probably not have someone in for July 1, but it should hopefully be pretty close to [that date],” he added.
The proposals are due no later than noon on June 26 and the board would award and review the contract within 45 days of the proposal opening.
“We don’t necessarily have to interview anyone,” Boilard noted. “We can actually look at the RFPs and then hire who we like off the RFPs. We don’t really have to set up any formal interviews public. We’re in executive session.”
The RFP states applicants must have extensive experience in land use and environmental issues as well as litigation and municipal law with a commitment to sound legal advice, objectivity, and professional detachment.