Foxborough Selectmen Approve RFP For New Town Counsel

Foxborough Town Manager Kevin Paicos propositioned the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night to continue employing his current intern Tim Cummings for a rate of $19 an hour rather than the intern programs currently budgeted $10 an hour.

Paicos said Cummings has made himself an asset to the town and produced considerably while here and noted that the position will only last until June of 2012.

Paicos also provided the selectmen with a list of accomplishments and ongoing and future tasks during Cummings' tenure.  In it, he wrote that the projects he has aided have brought the town a total of $1.4 million. Most notably he helped with, “a fee analysis identifying new fee revenue,” that could bring in as much as $222,000, the meals tax ($750,000), and ambulance fee revenue ($275,000). 

Cummings received an increase in pay to $19 an hour for 10 hours a week after the town planner left and they had a surplus. 

Chairman of the Selectmen Lawrence Harrington and the board echoed his statement, that although Cummings has done an excellent job, they cannot afford to pay him extra.  Cummings said the funding for his position ends in November and that as of right now he wants to stay in the community. 

Also at the meeting, Selectmen Mark Sullivan stated to the board that the town should put out an RFP for new town counsel. Sullivan did state that their current town counsel Duetsch Williams of Boston, and their representative Paul DeRensis have been doing a great job. Sullivan, however, also believes it is important, “it’s always healthy to entertain proposals on any town services we pay for."

Selectman Lorraine Brue said, “I would be totally opposed to an RFP,” and added that, “It would be disruptive to services."  She believes, “Paul brings such a well-rounded background and history of experience." Brue then presented a two page document highlighting DeRensis’s education and professional accomplishments both in Foxborough and throughout his career. 

The motion to create an RFP for new town counsel was voted 3-1. Brue was in opposition.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association representative Phil Buttafuoco went before the board to ask permission to approve of the MIAA playing their Superbowl at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 3 and to waive a 25- percent per ticket fee that the town is entitled to. 

Buttafuoco said if the MIAA has to pay that fee they would also have to raise tickets to pay for the event. Paicos said in these economic circumstances the town could not turn down what could be a potential $45,000.

Harrington added that the board has been trying to get in touch with the MIAA on this matter for a year and they have not been responsive. 

The board voted to approve the date of the event but not to waive the fee.