The Legal Department provides legal representation and advice to the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen and all other officials, departments and commissions of the Town of Arlington. The Department advises all Town boards and officials about their legal responsibilities and prerogatives. It represents the Town, its agencies and officers in all courts of various state and federal jurisdiction within Massachusetts and before state administrative agencies such as the Civil Service Commission, the Labor Relations Commission, the Board of Conciliation and Arbitration, the
Appellate Tax Board, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Department of Industrial Accidents. The Legal Department is responsible for handling the following representative matters:
• Investigation, analysis, adjusting and/or litigation of all personal injury, contract, civil rights, property damage and other claims brought against the Town of Arlington, including the School Department.
• The Town Counsel as Director of Labor Relations represents the Town Manager as the Town's agent in collective bargaining with six employee unions. These duties include supervision of negotiations, contract administration, employee discipline, grievance and interest arbitration proceedings.
• Drafting warrant articles and votes at Town Meeting for Town officials and citizens of the Town.
• Preparation and/or review of all contracts, leases, deeds, applications and other legal instruments concerning contractual and legal arrangements with public and private agencies in the purchase of properties and materials, the rendering of services and awarding of grants.
• Direction and management of the Town’s Workers’ Compensation self-insurance program; including the School Department.
• Direction and management of Police and Fire line-of-duty claims.
• Identifies and prosecutes subrogation and indemnity claims.
• Handles building/zoning enforcement actions and health and fire code violations in the courts.
• Prosecuting tax foreclosures.
• Representing the Town in bankruptcy actions.
• Preparation of all Town By-laws.
• Preparation of all Special Legislation for the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting.
• Attendance at all Board of Selectmen’s meetings and meetings of various other municipal boards, commissions and committees when requested.
• Preparation of written definitive, advisory and interpretive opinions.
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