Council tables solicitor decision


The town council approved the reappointments of the bond counsel and town sergeant but tabled a decision on its legal team.

This was the first meeting of the newly elected councilors following their inauguration. They unanimously retained David Ferrera, of Taft & McSally, as bond counsel. While there is no retainer for the position, Town Administrator Andy Nota said Ferrera will be tapped in the upcoming year because of bonds passed by taxpayers in November.

Fred Pease also was unanimously reappointed. While the main duty of the town sergeant is to enforce appropriate professional decorum at municipal meetings, Pease also has the power to post warrants, serve as a constable and serve papers. For 2019, he will receive a stipend of $1,294.

Both positions serve at the council’s pleasure and can be replaced at any time.

For town solicitor, the council eschewed Vice President Mary Meagher’s recommendation to reappoint the law firm of Ruggiero, Brochu & Petrarca because of an unsolicited letter of interest from Archer & Foppert.

“We feel our background, skills and dedication to the town will serve us, and the council, well in this position,” wrote attorney Deb Foppert, a Westwind Drive resident whose law firm is on Narragansett Avenue. “It should be noted that a significant part of our motivation for seeking this position is to give back to the community in a way that our skills can most benefit the town. I feel that our nonpartisan background is a particular asset in the role of solicitor in order to provide the council with unbiased legal, rather than political, advice.”

Councilman Bill Piva suggested the interview. “It’s a good local firm,” he said. “At the very least we should give them an opportunity.”

Councilman Randy White agreed. The council unanimously voted to interview the firm.

Peter Ruggiero’s law firm, which has been giving legal advice to the town for 16 years, said it will charge the town $78,000 next year for general counsel, which includes attending meetings and police prosecution. Foppert’s offer was $18,000 less.

Along with the $78,000 retainer, Ruggiero’s letter of interest indicated $135 per hour for “labor negotiations, litigation matters or special projects outside the general monthly services.” Foppert said her firm charged $150 per hour for “extraordinary legal needs,” including extended litigation.

— Tim Riel