VOTE411 Voter Guide

Ballot QuestionThe present Charter requires the Town Attorney to review all contracts, bonds and other instruments and that no contract with the town shall take effect until the attorney has endorsed the document. This provision can be costly and burdensome. The Town Council has proposed the attorney’s required review of contracts be defined and potentially limited by ordinance or resolution approved by the Town Council. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?SynopsisThis ballot issue would put limits on the Town Attorney’s required review of contracts. Council members have said the current charter language, which requires the Town Attorney to endorse all legal instruments before they take effect, is excessive and leads to unnecessary legal expenses. Until last year, the Town was represented by a private law firm, and its annual legal fees had been trending upward, approaching $400,000.Yes - For the Measure Means:If voters accept the ballot measure, the Town Charter would be amended to allow the Town Council to establish the scope of the Town Attorney’s review of contracts by ordinance or resolution.No - Against the Measure Means:If voters reject the ballot measure, the current Charter provision would remain in place, requiring the Town Attorney to review and endorse all contracts, bonds, and other instruments before they take effect.