The Board of Selectmen will explore retaining a town attorney to advise government departments.
Currently, the town chooses an attorney on an ad hoc basis, and for years has used Ira W. Bloom, a senior partner with the Westport-based Berchem Moses PC law firm, in this role.
The move comes amidst rising legal fees related to four lawsuits residents have filed against the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board of Finance on Sept 3 approved an additional $17,056,22 for legal costs related to the lawsuits. Legal counsel has also been used for several town initiatives.
“I think we should at least consider a town attorney,” said First Selectman David Bindelglass during a Sept. 5 BOS meeting where he proposed the idea.
During the meeting, Bindelglass cited the benefits of hiring a town attorney on retainer, which could include conducting training sessions, as well as being available to answer simple legal questions as they arise.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had a number of lawsuits filed against planning and zoning and ZBA this year, so staying ahead of things I think is beneficial,” he said.
Court documents show three of the four lawsuits were filed by Steven Montgomery, an Old Oak Road resident. One lawsuit against the Planning and Zoning Commission challenges the Easton Village Store’s remodeling permit. Montgomery’s two other lawsuits against the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals contest permits issued to a horse riding arena and a horse riding business on Sport Hill Road.
Easton resident Daniel Lent filed the most recent lawsuit attempting to block a special permit granted in May to a local cabinet maker to relocate his business to a barn to be constructed several feet away on his property.
During the meeting, Selectman Kristi Sogofsky asked what process the town must follow to hire a town attorney. She noted that the increase for legal counsel is also related to the South Park property lease and land use negotiations to build the new Emergency Medical Services building.
The selectmen agreed to invite Bloom to speak with them and offer a proposal. In addition to serving as counsel to Easton, Bloom is the town attorney for Westport, New Canaan, Weston and Wilton.
Selectman Nicholas D’Addario said during the meeting that he was in favor of having Bloom present a proposal to the Board of Selectmen.
“We live in an increasing complex world,” said D’Addario. “It makes sense to have someone on retainer, excluding major legitation, to handle these issues.”
