Mattapoisett Selectmen choose Town Counsel

Feb 27, 2013

After interviewing three candidates for Town Counsel, Mattapoisett Selectmen decided to hire all of them.

The town currently employs the Boston law firm Kopelman and Paige.

Selectmen interviewed associates of the firm as well as attorney Anthony Savastano and tax lawyer Matthew Thomas, both of New Bedford.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne said lawyers from Kopelman and Paige have been very thorough in reviewing the Town Warrant and serving as counsel during past Town Meetings.

He added, “I reviewed all of the zoning, planning, conservation stuff, and the amount of hours that has been charged for that has been very reasonable.”

Selectmen were favorable to keeping Kopelman and Paige on the payroll, but were also interested in having Savastano serve as an assistant counsel.

“Somebody working out of New Bedford is apt to be a little more responsive than somebody in Boston,” said Selectman Tyler Macallister.

Gagne added that the Board of Assessors had a favorable meeting with Thomas. “They were very impressed with the advice he had,” said Gagne.

Due to the experience of Kopelman and Paige, the Selectmen voted to keep the firm as the general counsel and added Savastano as assistant counsel. Thomas will be called in for issues related to titles and other real estate issues.