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General News: Two New Law Firms for Village

May 24, 2010

The village of Cornwall-on-Hudson board hired two new law firms to represent the municipality at a special meeting on Monday night. After a round of disagreement among board members, a majority of the trustees agreed to contract with the firm Tarshis, Catania, Liberth, Mahon and Milligram, of Newburgh as counsel to the village board and ethics board and the attorney Kevin Dowd to act as counsel to the zoning and planning boards. Mayor Joseph Gross and trustee Barbara Gosda opposed the motions.

The move ends a month-long period in which the village had no legal counsel after the same three trustees who approved the new firms Monday – Mark Edsall, James Kane and Doug Vatter -- voted to oust the firm of Rider Weiner and Frankel.

Mayor Gross argued throughout the brief meeting that only the mayor has the power to appoint an attorney for the village. At the close of the meeting the trustees agreed that the new law firm would request a legal opinion from the state to determine if a village board has the power to contract for an attorney as well.



Comments:

Wait... the majority trustees hired two new law firms and they don't even know if they have the authority to do so?


posted by Ted Warren on 05/25/10 at 7:59 AM

As a former trustee said here last year they have a five man board creating a series of checks and balances. Makes perfect sense. No one person should dictate. That is why we the people elect Trustees for. Each have a vote to keep unlimited power in check.


posted by P W on 05/25/10 at 8:43 AM

I understand that, it's just from the article it makes it sound like they hired a new law firm without first making sure they had the authority to do so. Just seems like putting the cart in front of the horse is all.


posted by Ted Warren on 05/25/10 at 10:36 AM

just curious as to how the village can hire a law firm that represented (or may still represent) KJ in real estate litigation as recently as last year. Google them, you will see. I am sure that many will be upset, or at minimum, confused by this and would like some clarity.


posted by Rachael Skigen on 05/25/10 at 10:09 PM

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