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01/15/2014 11:00 PMDescribing his decision as one which creates a "hybrid model," First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove named Branford's new Town Counsel at last night's Board of Selectmen's (BOS) meeting.
The decision comes nearly two months after Cosgrove took over Branford's top office on Nov. 19, 2013.
"It took some time to make sure we had the right structure. The end result is, hopefully, to reduce legal expenses," said Cosgrove.
In legal matters requiring an attorney's services, the Town of Branford will now be represented by New Haven-based firm Brenner, Saltzman and Wallman, with input from associate Bill Aniskovich of Branford. David R. Schaefer, the firm's Managing Partner, was present at the Jan. 15 BOS meeting, attending with Aniskovich.
"Management and general advice will be provided by Bill Aniskovich," explained Cosgrove. "From there, he will coordinate the expertise that is needed for the particular areas. It all depends on the issues we're discussing."
Cosgrove said the decision is one he considered when seeking a way to give the town the best representation necessary, but with an eye toward limiting unnecessary expenses. In recent years, Branford has seen increased legal expenses as the town was engaged in, and also initiated, law suits, including several arising from the Tabor eminent domain case.
"Setting up this structure, my goal is obviously to ensure that the town has expert representation, but at the same time, we wanted to make sure we manage our legal bills and expenses," said Cosgrove, adding, "…Brenner Saltzman and Wallman is a firm that can provide such services."
The arrangement is "… a bit of hybrid model," Cosgrove noted. "Bill Aniskovich will be working with firm; he is associated with the firm (and will be) working in a limited role to coordinate and manage the legal activity."
An attorney, Aniskovich said he will be helping the town in an advisory capacity on a limited basis, to help control and coordinate what the town has to spend on legal representation, which he said is, "…an area that's been of concern."
"The idea is to actually to control legal expenses and coordinate the different firms that will do business for the town," Aniskovich said. "What I can give to the town is the sort of knowledge and expertise of the lawyers who are out there. I can give advice and counsel to people on routine matters that would avoid larger legal bills, and hopefully help Jamie and Dave and others pick the right counsel for each place."
Aniskovich said he got his start as an attorney working with the firm, which is "very familiar" with municipal law; including work in New Haven, Hamden, Wolcott and Woodbridge.
"They're big enough to do a variety of different things, but not so big that the overhead drives expenses," Aniskovich said, adding of the hybrid approach, "…there's plenty of places where other local attorneys will be doing business for us…we just wanted to give Jamie the tool box to manage legal representation."
No legal matters have been taken back from people as of yet, although counsel has been briefed on current matters, Aniskovich said.
"We're going to assess things," said Aniskovich. "Everything we do, we want to do in a sort of planful way that will allow for an intelligent allocation of resources."