Are Cohasset’s annual legal/litigation costs high for a town its size? What can selectmen do to rein in this line item?
Cohasset’s annual legal and litigation costs, while high, are necessary to protect the taxpayers and our Town Manager, elected and appointed officials, and town employees from liability resulting from their actions as agents of the town. Though necessary, there are ways to mitigate our exposure to lawsuits and better manage these costs.
Education – The education of employees on town policies and procedures is paramount to protecting Cohasset from civil liability resulting from general negligence. In addition, educating board and committee members regarding open meeting laws and the bylaws under their authority should be a primary objective for the town. Proper education empowers members to make decisions within the law, equips them with the skills to make fully informed decisions, and provides knowledge on how to handle conflicts of interest.
Transparency – It is also imperative that the Board of Selectman strive for transparency in committee appointments to ensure members act independently on matters before them. The Board of Selectmen and the Troika should publish criteria used to select members for each committee, conduct due diligence to establish candidates capabilities and rule out conflicts of interest, and publish a report of the selection process to back up their choices.
Diversity – Cohasset citizens also have an important role to play. Our community is teeming with educated and experienced residents whose voices need to be heard and included in town discussions. By volunteering for town service and electing officials with a diversity of expertise, experience, and perspective, we can ensure that future decisions are vetted and analyzed through multiple viewpoints.
Collectively, education, transparency, and the diversification of experience provide Cohasset opportunities to mitigate risk and better manage these costs.