BLATMAN, BOBROWSKI & MEAD, LLC A TTORNEYS A T L AW Concord • Millis • Newburyport DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRM The firm of Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead, LLC, offers the Commonwealth’s cities and towns expertise in general municipal law and land use law. The firm’s practice is focused on these areas, providing its clients with relevant, timely and sound counsel. Most of the firm’s clients are town governments, boards and housing authorities. The firm provides counsel in all areas of municipal and land use law, except labor law and with offices located in Concord, Millis and Newburyport, the firm is able to expediently serve all of its municipal clients. The firm’s attorneys provide general municipal counsel as well as project-based special counsel services. The team is thoroughly familiar with the day-to-day workings of municipal government and the myriad of challenges facing localities as they manage daily operations, emergency situations, long-term planning and strategic efforts. The firm presently serves as Town Counsel to a growing number of municipalities, including the Towns of Ashland, Bellingham, Berkley, Deerfield, Douglas, Easton, Kingston, Marblehead, Maynard, Rehoboth and Southbridge. As of November 1, 2012, the Firm will also begin serving as Town Counsel for the Town of Chatham. The firm has also represented well over 100 municipalities in the past 20 years on Special Counsel assignments. A number of the firm’s municipal clients have ongoing relationships of over 10 years. Although well-versed in the full scope of services offered, the firm’s areas of expertise in the municipal context are as follows: Mark Bobrowski : Land use and planning law Lisa L. Mead : Municipal law; Land use and planning law; renewable energy Jason R. Talerman : Municipal Law; Land use, planning, wetlands and environmental law Bettye Ann Blatman : All phases of Real Estate law Adam J. Costa : Municipal law; Land use and planning law Lynnea Thody : Municipal law; Land use and planning law Arielle Cecala : Real Estate and Estate Planning Mark Bobrowski Mark Bobrowski, a founding partner, is an attorney with over 20 years of experience in land use and related municipal matters, is the author of “The Handbook of Massachusetts Land Use and Planning Law” (1993 & supplemented annually). He is a professor of Administrative Law, Land Use, Local Government and Property at New England School of Law in Boston. Mark has represented dozens of municipalities and others with land use concerns, and has written extensively on issues affecting municipal government. As a member of the New England School of Law faculty since 1986, he has worked with many communities across the region on community growth control, economic development and resource protection. Mark was a member
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B LA TMAN , B O B R OW S K I & M E A D , L L C
A T T O R N E Y S A T LAW
C o n c o r d • M i l l i s • N ew b u r yp o r t
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRM
The firm of Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead, LLC, offers the Commonwealth’s cities and towns
expertise in general municipal law and land use law. The firm’s practice is focused on these
areas, providing its clients with relevant, timely and sound counsel. Most of the firm’s clients are
town governments, boards and housing authorities. The firm provides counsel in all areas of
municipal and land use law, except labor law and with offices located in Concord, Millis and
Newburyport, the firm is able to expediently serve all of its municipal clients.
The firm’s attorneys provide general municipal counsel as well as project-based special counsel
services. The team is thoroughly familiar with the day-to-day workings of municipal government
and the myriad of challenges facing localities as they manage daily operations, emergency
situations, long-term planning and strategic efforts. The firm presently serves as Town Counsel
to a growing number of municipalities, including the Towns of Ashland, Bellingham, Berkley,
Deerfield, Douglas, Easton, Kingston, Marblehead, Maynard, Rehoboth and Southbridge. As of
November 1, 2012, the Firm will also begin serving as Town Counsel for the Town of Chatham.
The firm has also represented well over 100 municipalities in the past 20 years on Special
Counsel assignments. A number of the firm’s municipal clients have ongoing relationships of
over 10 years.
Although well-versed in the full scope of services offered, the firm’s areas of expertise in the
municipal context are as follows:
Mark Bobrowski: Land use and planning law
Lisa L. Mead: Municipal law; Land use and planning law; renewable energy
Jason R. Talerman: Municipal Law; Land use, planning, wetlands and environmental law
Bettye Ann Blatman: All phases of Real Estate law
Adam J. Costa: Municipal law; Land use and planning law
Lynnea Thody: Municipal law; Land use and planning law
Arielle Cecala: Real Estate and Estate Planning
Mark Bobrowski
Mark Bobrowski, a founding partner, is an attorney with over 20 years of experience in land use
and related municipal matters, is the author of “The Handbook of Massachusetts Land Use and
Planning Law” (1993 & supplemented annually). He is a professor of Administrative Law, Land
Use, Local Government and Property at New England School of Law in Boston. Mark has
represented dozens of municipalities and others with land use concerns, and has written
extensively on issues affecting municipal government. As a member of the New England School
of Law faculty since 1986, he has worked with many communities across the region on
community growth control, economic development and resource protection. Mark was a member
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of the Massachusetts task force examining affordable housing law.
Education:
• B.A., Ithaca College (Ithaca, New York)
• M.A., University of Oregon (Eugene, Oregon)
• J.D., New England School of Law (Boston, Massachusetts)
Selected Publications:
• Handbook of Massachusetts Land Use and Planning Law, 2nd Edition, Aspen Law &
Business (2002). Supplemented annually.
• “Affordable Housing v. Open Space: A Proposal for Reconciliation,” 30 Boston College
Env. Affairs L. Rev. ___ (2003).
• “Reform of the Zoning Act: An Open Letter to the Legislature,” 33 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 19
(2000).
• “The Zoning Act’s ‘Person Aggrieved’ Standard: From Barvenik to Marashlian,” 18 W.
New Eng. L. Rev. 385 (1996).
• “Local Protection of the Scenic Landscape,” 22 B.C. Envt’l. Aff. L. Rev. 697 (1995).
This article was included in Boardman's Handbook of Planning and Zoning Law (1996),
an annual compilation of noteworthy articles.
• Handbook of Massachusetts Land Use and Planning Law, Little, Brown & Co. (1993).
Supplemented 1994-2000.
• “Planners and Lawyers: Toward a Division of Labor,” Urban Lawyer (Summer 1990).
Reprinted as “Planners and Lawyers: Toward a Division of Labor,” Zoning & Planning
L. Rev. (1991) and “Planners and Lawyers: Toward a Division of Labor,” Boardman's
Handbook of Planning and Zoning Law (1991 & 2000 Supplement).
Lisa L. Mead
Lisa L. Mead, a founding partner, is an attorney and former City Solicitor for the City of
Somerville, is also a former three-term Mayor of the City of Newburyport and a former two-term
City Councilor for the City of Newburyport. Lisa also served as State Director for Senator John
Kerry’s Massachusetts operations. Earlier, she worked in a private practice specializing in real
estate, banking, securities and corporate law, and as Assistant General Counsel for the
Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare. Having served as both the chief elected officer for
a municipality and City Solicitor for a major urban city, Lisa is broadly qualified to assist
municipalities as they address a variety of local legal issues, including: procurements, finances,
licensing, zoning, affordable housing development, permitting, public construction, renewable
energy, litigation, state and federal relations and public construction.
Education
• B.A., University of Massachusetts (Amherst, Massachusetts)
• J.D., New England School of Law (Boston, Massachusetts)
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Selected Publications and Presentations:
• Local Investment Accounts Ensure Funding, “American City and County Magazine”
(March 2002). Co-authored with Stephen Lisauskas.
• A New Look at the Old 40B, A Municipal Perspective, Suffolk University’s Moakley
Institute, September 2008.
• Keeping Current with chapter 40B, Citizens Housing & Planning Institute and
Department of Housing and Community Development, October, 2008 • Developing a Green Legal Thumb Emerging Practice Issues; Green Real Estate, How to
Handle Zoning and Permitting, October 2009.
• Massachusetts Mangers Association, Annual Boot-Camp; Strategies for Building
Relationships among the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and Town Counsel,
October 2009 and 2010. • Boston Bar Association, Local Permitting and the Wind Siting Reform Act, December
2011.
Jason R. Talerman
Jason R. Talerman, Of Counsel, has more than a decade of experience in the area of municipal
law. Prior to joining the firm, Jay was a partner at Kopelman & Paige, where he provided Town
Counsel services to nearly a third of the cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Jay has wide
experience in a variety of municipal practice areas and has specific expertise in the areas of
environmental law, land use and affordable housing. He has a strong litigation background and
has practiced before the Housing Appeals Committee, Appellate Tax Board, Department of
Environmental Protection, District Court, Land Court, Superior Court and Appeals Court.
Additionally, Jay has experience litigating in administrative agencies and the federal courts,
including the Environmental Appeals Board, U.S. District Court, First Circuit Court of Appeals
and Bankruptcy Court. Jay is a resident of the Town of Norfolk, where he has served as a
member on a variety of local boards and committees, including the Conservation Commission,
Community Preservation Committee, Bylaw Review Committee, Council on Aging and Master
Plan Committee.
Education:
• B.A., University of Massachusetts (Amherst, Massachusetts)
• J.D., Boston College Law School (Newton, Massachusetts)
• Trinity College, Oxford University (Oxford, England)
Selected Presentations & Publications:
• Speech: “Affordable Housing in Massachusetts,” Annual Conference of the American
Planners’ Association (2006).
• Speech: “Chapter 40B Update,” CLE International Land Use Forum (2005-06).
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• Speech: “Ask the Experts,” Affordable Housing Seminar (co-sponsored by DHCD,
MassHousing, CHAPA & MHP) (2004-06).
• Speech: “Housing Everyone in the Commonwealth,” Harvard University Kennedy
School of Government (2003).
• “Life After 40B,” Architecture Boston Magazine (May/June 2003).
• “Planned Production Implementation,” MMA Annual Conference (2009).
• Community Preservation Act – Presentations to SE and Western Mass Moderators
Associations.
• Featured Panelist – 2012 REBA Annual Conference
Bettye Ann Blatman
Bettye Ann Blatman, a founding partner, has more than ten years experience in Real Estate Law.
She has substantial experience in all forms of sophisticated real estate matters. She assists the
firm’s clients in reviewing all forms of restrictions, easements, deeds and other related
documents.
Education:
• B.A., Brown University (Providence Rhode Island)
• M.A., Columbia University (New York, New York)
• J.D., Boston College Law School (Newton, Massachusetts)
Adam J. Costa
Associate
Adam J. Costa is an associate with more than six years experience in our Concord and
Newburyport offices. A graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law, Adam was active in
appellate advocacy and was a recipient of the N.C. Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for his
outstanding achievements in trial advocacy. As a junior associate with a North Carolina law firm,
he helped young municipalities draft zoning ordinances, plan for future growth and manage other
land use matters. Adam’s practice includes both land use and municipal law. He is admitted to
the bar in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Education:
• B.A., University of New Hampshire (Durham, New Hampshire)
• J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Lynnea Thody
Associate
Lynnea Thody joined the firm in 2008 after serving as clerk to the Chief Justice of the
Massachusetts Land Court. Lynnea also interned with the Municipal Law Unit of the Office of
the Massachusetts Attorney General. She assists in our Millis and Newburyport offices. A
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graduate of New England School of Law, Lynnea was a member of the prestigious New England
Law Review. Lynnea’s practice includes both land use and municipal law.
Education:
• B.A., Quinnipiac College (Hamden Connecticut)
• J.D., New England School of Law (Boston, Massachusetts)
Presentations & Publications:
• Co-Author, Zuckerman v. Town of Hadley: The New Substantive Due Process Challenge
to Regulating Municipal Growth in Massachusetts, in MUNICIPAL LAW CONFERENCE
2007 at 551 (2007).
• Co-Author, THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE CONSTITUTION (Oxford University Press, 2011).
Arielle Cecala
Associate
Arielle Cecala joined the firm in 2010 with a background sophisticated estate planning
and in real estate transactions. She graduated summa cum laud from the University of New
Hampshire and received her law degree from the New England School of Law. During her
studies, Arielle served as a legal intern and research assistant at the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection. She currently assists with all phases of real estate law, estate planning
and Community Preservation Act matters.
Education:
• B.A., University of New Hampshire (Durham, New Hampshire)
• J.D., New England School of Law (Boston, Massachusetts)
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FIRM PROJECTS
General Municipal Law
Ashland, Massachusetts (2008-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Bellingham, Massachusetts (2008-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Berkley, Massachusetts (2011-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Chatham, Massachusetts (beginning November 1, 2012): The Firm will serve as Town Counsel,
representing the Town in all phases of municipal law.
Deerfield, Massachusetts (2004-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Douglas, Massachusetts (2011-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all matters of land use and zoning.
Easton, Massachusetts (2010-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the Town
in all phases of municipal law.
Kingston, Massachusetts (2008-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Marblehead, Massachusetts (2005-present): Attorney Mead represents the Town of Marblehead
on variety of general municipal matters.
Maynard, Massachusetts (2010-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Millis, Massachusetts (2001-2006): Attorney Talerman served as primary municipal law contact
for Town. Responsible for coordination of all legal representation. Representation at Town
Meeting.
Millville, Massachusetts (2001-2006): Attorney Talerman served as primary municipal law
contact for Town. Responsible for coordination of all legal representation. Representation at
Town Meeting.
Norton, Massachusetts (2004-2006): Attorney Talerman served as primary municipal law contact
for Town. Responsible for coordination of all legal representation. Representation at Town
Meeting.
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Rehoboth, Massachusetts (appointed July 2012): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing
the Town in all phases of municipal law.
Scituate, Massachusetts (2004-present): Attorney Talerman represents the Town of Scituate on a
variety of general municipal matters, ranging from tax issues to sewer construction.
Somerville, Massachusetts (2002-2004): Attorney Mead served as City Solicitor, in charge of all
legal affairs for city.
Southbridge, Massachusetts (2009-present): The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Templeton, Massachusetts (2011-2012): The Firm served as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Wareham, Massachusetts (2011-present). The Firm serves as Town Counsel, representing the
Town in all phases of municipal law.
Town Meetings: In addition to the foregoing, attorney Talerman has served as Town Counsel at
Town Meetings in the following Towns: Blandford, Chelmsford, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs,
Tisbury, and Westport.
Drafting Municipal By-Laws & Ordinances
In addition to the drafting of by-laws for the Towns for which the firm serves as Town
Counsel, the firm has drafted bylaws and ordinances for the following municipalities:
Acton, Massachusetts (1995): Prepared outline of impact fee by-law for town in conjunction with
with incentives for agreement with Authority to rent to low-income families.
Provided day-to-day legal counsel in all matters of Authority business, from
evictions to government contracts. Coordinated successful comprehensive permit
applications.
• Newburyport Housing Authority (2005-present): Provide general counsel to the
Housing Authority on all matters.
Representation of Private Clients
The firm has represented responsible development clients and abutters in a host of
communities, including these examples:
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Massachusetts Housing Opportunities Corp.: Development of 204 unit Chapter
40R smart growth apartment complex in Lunenburg, MA.
A.W. Perry, Inc.: Development of several residential subdivisions on the South
Shore.
In addition, the firm has served as legal counsel to the following land use consulting,
planning, or legal firms:
Taintor & Associates, Newburyport, MA
LandUse, Inc., Hadley, MA
Mullin Associates, Inc., Pelham, MA
Van Orman & Associates, Easton, MA
Koff & Associates, Brookline, MA
Herr & Associates, Newton Corner, MA
Island Planning & Management, Edgartown, MA
Mills, Teague & Patten, Boston, MA
Applied Economic Research, Inc., Laconia, NH
Dodson Associates, Ashfield, MA
Edwards & Angell, Boston, MA
Haydu & Lind, Wellesley, MA
Daylor Consulting Group, Braintree, MA
Cecil Group
Specific questions regarding the services provided by the firm, or requests for references,
should be directed to the address above.
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REFERENCES
The firm’s current municipal clients, and the nature and length of the service(s) provided
to them, include:±
Municipality Contact Telephone Length of
Service
TOWN COUNSEL SERVICES
Ashland Mark Purple, Interim Town
Manager (508) 881-0100
2008 –
present
Bellingham Denis Fraine, Town
Administrator (508) 657-2801
2008 –
present
Berkley Paul Modlowski, Executive
Secretary (508) 824-6794
2011 -
present
Chatham Jill Goldsmith, Town
Manager (508) 945-3550
Beginning
November 1,
2012
Deerfield Bernard Kubiak, Town
Administrator (413) 665-4645 21 years
Douglas Michael Guzinski, Town
Administrator (508) 476-4000 2011-present
Easton David Colton, Town
Administrator (508) 230-0510 2010-present
Kingston Nancy Howlett, Acting Town
Administrator (781) 585-0500
2008 –
present
Marblehead* Jeffrey Chelgren, Town
Administrator (781) 631-0000 2005-present
Maynard Michael Sullivan (978) 897-1301 2010-present
Rehoboth Jeffrey Ritter (508) 252-3758 July 2012-
present
Southbridge* Christopher Clark, Town
Manager (508) 764-5405
2009-present
Wareham Mark Andrews, Town
Administrator (508) 291-3100 2010-present
SPECIAL MUNICIPAL COUNSEL FOR LAND USE MATTERS
Berkley Steven Leary, Planning Board
Chair (508) 496-8329 21 years
Dartmouth Town Manager (508) 910-1816 10 years
Dighton Ken Araujo, Planning Board
Chair (508) 669-6636 21 years
Gardner Robert Hubbard, Director of
Community Dev’t (978) 630-4011 2 years
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Haverhill William Pilsbury, Director of
Community Dev’t (978) 374-2300 5 years
Holliston Donna Donovan, Planning
Board Administrator (508) 429-0635 3 years
Lancaster Noreen Piazza, Director of
Community Dev’t (978) 368-4007 3 years
Marblehead Anthony Sasso, Town
Administrator (781) 631-0000 2004 - present
Medfield Norma Cronin, Planning Board
Administrator (508) 359-8505 3 years
Merrimac Ashod Amirian, Town Counsel (978) 372-8531 4 years
North Andover Curt Bellavance, Director of
Community Dev’t (978) 688-9531 2 years
North Attleboro Don Johnson, Town Planner (508) 699-0107 2 years
Oak Bluffs Michael Dutton, Town
Administrator (508) 693-3554 7 years
Scituate Patricia Vinchesi, Town
Administrator (781) 545-8741 6 years
Sterling Tim Bragen, Town
Administrator (978) 422-3030 15 years
Tewksbury Steve Sadwick, Town Planner (978) 640-4370,
Ext. 238 10 years
West Tisbury Julie Keefe, Zoning Board
Administrator (508) 696-0107 10 years
Winchester Mel Kleckner, Town Manager (781) 721-7133 3 years
SPECIAL TOWN COUNSEL ON G.L. CH. 40B, 40R AND/OR 43D MATTERS
Brookline Jennifer Dopazo, Town
Counsel (617) 730-2190 5 years
Canton Paul Carroll, Zoning Board
Chair (781) 575-6589 10 years
Chelmsford Paul Cohen, Town Manager (978) 250-5201 8 years
Cohasset Woody Chittick, Zoning Board
Chair (781) 383-4100 5 years
Douglas Mike Guzinski, Town
Administrator (508) 476-4000 2 years
Franklin Jeff Nutting, Town
Administrator (508) 520-4949 10 years
Groton Stuart Schulman, Board of
Selectmen (978) 302-0589 7 years
Ipswich Robert Gambale, Zoning
Board Chair
(978) 356-6605,
Ext. 5 3 years
Mansfield Town Manager (508) 261-7345 5 years
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Mashpee Joyce Mason, Town Manager (508) 539-1400,
Ext. 510 3 years
Natick Patrick Reffett, Director of
Community Dev’t (508) 647-6445 2 years
Pittsfield Deanna Ruffer, Dir. of
Community Dev’t (413) 499-9449 3 years
Sandwich Bud Dunham, Town Manager (508) 888-5144 5 years
Sunderland Margaret Nartowicz, Town
Admin. (413) 665-1441 5 years
Taunton Steven Torres, City Solicitor (508) 821-1036 7 years
Tyngsborough Rosemary Cashman, Town
Administrator
(978) 649-2300,
Ext. 100 8 years
Upton Town Manager (508) 529-6901 5 years
Uxbridge Town Manager (508) 278-8600 1 year
Worcester
Joel Fontane, Director of
Planning & Regulatory
Services
(508) 799-1400 1 year
*While not named Town Counsel, the Firm provides the full spectrum of town counsel
services, including representation at Town Meeting.
±This list includes only municipal counsel positions. In addition, Blatman, Bobrowski &
Mead, LLC, currently provides assistance with bylaw and ordinance drafting,
recodification and review to municipalities throughout the Commonwealth. For a
complete list of the firm’s municipal clients, see the description of the firm and summary
of its projects, above.
B LATMAN , BOBROWSK I & MEAD , L L C A t t o r n e y s A t L a w
30 Green Street • Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950
Phone (978) 463 7700 Fax (978) 463 7747
October 16, 2012
TOWN COUNSEL RFP
Duxbury Board of Selectmen c/o Richard R. MacDonald, Town Manager 878 Tremont Street Duxbury, MA 02332 Re: Request for Proposals for Town Counsel Services Dear Members of the Board of Selectmen: On behalf of Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead, LLC (“BBM”), I am pleased to submit this Proposal for Town Counsel Services. BBM presently serves as Town Counsel for the Towns of Ashland, Bellingham, Berkley, Deerfield, Douglas, Easton, Kingston, Maynard, Rehoboth, Southbridge and, as of November 1, 2012, Chatham. In addition, the Firm provides substantial general legal counsel services to the Towns of Marblehead. We also represent dozens of other local boards and commissions across the Commonwealth on a wide variety of matters relating to land use, planning and environmental law. I am confident that the members of my Firm and I possess the skill and expertise to provide the requested legal services to the Town of Duxbury. Included for your information and review are: a response to the questions posed in your RFP, an Alternative Fee Proposal and a comprehensive document that includes a description of the Firm, attorney resumes, a description of the Firm’s municipal projects and a list of references. The enclosed materials offer a thorough overview of the Firm’s make-up and the qualifications and experience of its attorneys. As is noted in these materials, our attorneys have extensive experience and unique qualifications. I am the lead attorney in BBM’s delivery of Town Counsel services in Ashland, Deerfield, Marblehead, Maynard and Southbridge. I have extensive experience serving municipal clients and, additionally, am a former three-term Mayor for the City of Newburyport. One of my partners, Attorney Jason Talerman has provided Town Counsel services to nearly a third of the municipalities in Massachusetts and has experience in nearly every facet of municipal law. Attorney Talerman is BBM’s lead counsel in Easton, Bellingham, Douglas, Kingston and Rehoboth. Another of my partners, Mark Bobrowski, is the author of “The Handbook of Massachusetts Land Use and Planning Law.” He has worked with communities across the State on community growth control, economic development and resource protection. Attorney Adam Costa, a senior associate of the Firm, is experienced in both general municipal and land use law. Attorney Lynnea Thody, another of the Firm’s associates, is a
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former clerk to the Chief Judge of the Massachusetts Land Court and has wide experience in municipal matters. In addition to these attorneys, Bettye Ann Blatman, a partner in the firm and Arielle Cecala, an associate with the firm, provide sophisticated real estate services to our municipal clients.
Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead is an accessible, responsive law firm, which prides itself on its relationships with municipalities and their officials. Among the benefits of working with a small firm is direct access to its partners, associates and attorneys-of-counsel. At all times, at least one (1) of the Firm’s attorneys will be available to the Town of Duxbury, either in person, by telephone or via e-mail. The Firm will provide periodic reports on ongoing matters as necessary, and will answer inquiries from boards, departments and/or officials in an expeditious manner. The Firm will promptly respond to requests for legal opinions, will inquire as to the required timing of the request and will provide a written response by the deadline provided. The Firm also offers monthly office hours as well as free seminars. Given Duxbury’s needs, we propose that I serve as the Town’s primary contact. Attorney Talerman will serve as a secondary contact and will work closely with the Town on any litigation matters. This would ensure that you have at least one lead attorney available at all times on all phases of municipal law. Additionally, Attorney Bobrowski and Attorney Talerman will combine to advise the Town on land use matters. We would delegate responsibilities to others as necessary. All of the Firm’s attorneys would regularly assist in providing the desired services as may be necessary. Upon reasonable notice, a member of the Firm will be able to meet with local officials, attend board meetings or make other necessary appearances. In the attached fee proposal, you will note that, as an alternative to hourly billing, we offer two different alternative flat fee billing arrangements. These arrangements can allow for expansive and nearly unlimited access to Town Counsel. More importantly, the flat fee arrangements would provide an incentive to include Town Counsel in decision-making prior to the advent of disputes that could result in litigation. Furthermore, if litigation is unavoidable, our flat fee proposals can allow the Town to defend its interests without significant concern for excessive legal costs. We employ a variety of flat fee arrangements in the Towns of Kingston, Bellingham, Douglas, Maynard and Rehoboth with excellent results. I encourage you to contact the Administrators in these Towns to inquire further. Of course, we would be amenable to considering other billing arrangements as well. Should the Town wish to employ a conventional hourly rate, the firm’s services are billed at a rate of $175.00 per hour, regardless of whether the work is performed by a partner, associate or attorney-of-counsel. No additional charges are assessed for services provided by the Firm’s paralegals, staff and other personnel. Nor would the Town of Duxbury be charged for the Firm’s internal costs, such as clerical assistance, telephone services, utilities, routine copying costs or standard mailing fees. Filing fees, the cost of bulk copying, extraordinary mailing fees, and direct costs associated with litigation such as deposition costs, however, are billed on a direct-cost basis. While we are pleased to offer services on a broad range of legal matters, please note that we do not presently handle labor matters. However, we have partnered for this application with Collins, Loughran & Peloquin, P.C. and submit their proposal herewith. Collins, Loughran & Peloquin, P.C. is a leading labor law firm and we are confident that they would be an asset to the Town.
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I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss my Firm’s proposal, as would the other members of the Firm. Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions or require any additional information that would be beneficial to your review of our proposal. Thank you for your interest in our Firm. Very truly yours,
Lisa
Lisa L. Mead
Enclosures
FEE PROPOSAL TOWN COUNSEL SERVICES
Proposal No. 1 – Flat Fee
1. The Firm proposes a flat monthly fee of $9000.00, which shall include
substantially all legal work performed by the Firm’s partners, associates and/or attorneys-of-counsel and related services performed by the Firm’s support staff. For the Town’s convenience, all services provided by the Firm will be itemized. The Firm does not provide legal services on labor-related matters.
2. The flat fee includes all representation and legal opinions for general and land
use matters as well as preparation for and attendance at Annual and/or Special Town Meetings, as necessary, and one board hearing or meeting per month. Attendance at additional meetings per month will be billed at the Firm’s hourly rate of $175.00 per hour.
3. The flat fee includes defense and prosecution of all customary land-use
litigation relating to zoning, planning, board of health and conservation, as well as enforcement of zoning and general by-laws. All other litigation will be billed at the Firm’s hourly rate of $175.00 per hour.
4. The flat fee includes all services relating to review of municipal contracts and
procurement issues.
5. The flat fee includes representation of the Town on all significant licensing matters handled by the Board of Selectmen, including liquor licensing.
6. The flat fee does not cover general tax-title matters or routine hearings before
the Appellate Tax Board that can be handled without counsel but does cover all ATB hearings on substantial matters that require the assistance of counsel. Nor does the flat fee include routine tax-title matters and negotiation of cable services agreements, as such specialized items are generally handled by outside special counsel.
7. The flat fee does not include matters for which fees are required to be paid by
permit applicants under G.L. Ch. 44, § 53G. For such matters, the Firm will bill at the rate of $175.00 per hour.
8. The Firm does not charge for work performed by paralegals and support staff. 9. The flat fee also includes monthly office hours at Town Hall as well as two
training seminars per year.
10. The Firm’s internal costs, such as telephone services, utilities and clerical assistance, are not the Town’s responsibility. Nor are standard mailing fees or routine copying costs charged to the Town. Filing fees, the cost of bulk copying and extraordinary mailing fees (e.g. certified mailings, overnight mailings), recording costs, and costs for other similar items, however, will be billed on a direct basis. Expert consultant fees, title examinations and costs for stenographic transcripts shall also be the Town’s responsibility.
11. For matters subject to hourly billing, the Firm bills in increments of one-tenth
(1/10) of an hour. Substantive telephone calls and conferences and receipt, review and drafting of correspondence and e-mail are billed at a minimum rate of two-tenths (2/10) of an hour. It is the Firm’s practice NOT to charge for insubstantial telephone conversations or insubstantial email exchanges with the Town’s officials.
Proposal No. 2 – Partial flat fee
1. The Firm proposes a flat monthly fee of $6,000.00, which shall include
substantially all non-litigation legal services performed by the Firm’s partners, associates and/or attorneys-of-counsel and related services performed by the Firm’s support staff. For the Town’s convenience, all services provided by the Firm will be itemized. The Firm does not provide legal services on labor-related matters.
2. The flat fee includes all representation and legal opinions for general and land
use matters as well as attendance at Annual and/or Special Town Meetings, as necessary, and one board hearing or other meeting per month. Attendance at additional meetings per month will be billed at the Firm’s hourly rate of $175.00 per hour.
3. The flat fee includes all services relating to review of municipal contracts and
procurement issues.
4. The flat fee includes representation of the Town on all significant licensing matters handled by the Board of Selectmen, including liquor licensing.
5. The flat fee does not include defense and prosecution of litigation. All
litigation will be billed at the Firm’s hourly rate of $175.00 per hour.
6. The flat fee does not include routine tax-title matters and negotiation of cable services agreements, as such specialized items are generally handled by outside special counsel.
7. The flat fee also does not include matters for which fees are required to be
paid by permit applicants under G.L. Ch. 44, § 53G. For such matters, the Firm will bill at the rate of $175.00 per hour.
8. The Firm does not charge for work performed by paralegals and support staff. 9. The flat fee also includes monthly office hours at Town Hall as well as two
training seminars per year.
10. The Firm’s internal costs, such as telephone services, utilities and clerical assistance, are not the Town’s responsibility. Nor are standard mailing fees or routine copying costs charged to the Town. Filing fees, the cost of bulk copying and extraordinary mailing fees (e.g. certified mailings, overnight mailings), recording costs, and costs for other similar items, however, will be billed on a direct basis. Expert consultant fees, title examinations and costs for stenographic transcripts shall also be the Town’s responsibility.
11. For matters subject to hourly billing, the Firm bills in increments of one-tenth
(1/10) of an hour. Substantive telephone calls and conferences and receipt, review and drafting of correspondence and e-mail are billed at a minimum rate of two-tenths (2/10) of an hour. It is the Firm’s practice NOT to charge for insubstantial telephone conversations or insubstantial email exchanges with the Town’s officials.
Proposal No. 3 – Hourly rate
1. The Firm proposes an hourly rate of $175.00 per hour, which shall include
substantially all legal work performed by the Firm’s partners, associates and/or attorneys-of-counsel and related services performed by the Firm’s support staff. For the Town’s convenience, all services provided by the Firm will be itemized. The Firm does not provide legal services on labor-related matters.
2. Where applicable, legal fees to be paid by permit applicants under G.L. Ch.
44, § 53G will be billed separately.
3. The Firm does not charge for work performed by paralegals and support staff. 4. The Firm will provide two training seminars per year at no charge to the
municipality.
5. The Firm’s internal costs, such as telephone services, utilities and clerical assistance, are not the municipality’s responsibility. Nor are standard mailing fees or routine copying costs charged to the Town. Filing fees, the cost of bulk copying and extraordinary mailing fees (e.g. certified mailings, overnight mailings), recording costs, and costs for other similar items, however, will be billed on a direct basis. Expert consultant fees, title examinations and costs for stenographic transcripts shall also be the Town’s responsibility.
6. For matters subject to hourly billing, the Firm bills in increments of one-tenth (1/10) of an hour. Substantive telephone calls and conferences and receipt, review and drafting of correspondence and e-mail are billed at a minimum rate of two-tenths (2/10) of an hour. It is the Firm’s practice NOT to charge for insubstantial telephone conversations or insubstantial email exchanges with the Town’s officials.
7. Travel time is billable to the Town provided that the Firm will apply a one
hour credit for any visits to the Town Hall.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DUXBURY TOWN
COUNSEL
FEES AND EXPENSES RESPONSE SHEET
1. Please list the name and hourly rate for proposed Town and/or Labor Counsel and for each attorney intended or likely to serve as back-up: Should a flat fee be utilized, there would be no hourly rate for most services. Should an hourly rate be utilized, all attorneys will charge the same fee ($175.00/Hour). In an hourly rate scenario, travel time to the Town will be measured from the Firm’s closest office. 2. If you propose to bill for services provided by paralegals, clerical staff, or other non-attorney personnel, please list by title and by hourly rate each position for whom you may bill: We do not bill for staff or paralegal services. 3. Please provide a complete listing of all charges for expenses you intend to impose as incurred (i.e. any and all copy charges, telephone charges, fax charges, mileage & travel charges and the like, but excluding any fees for stenographers, court fees, service fees and the like): We do not charge for telephone, mileage, faxing, routine copying and routine postal expenses. We do charge for external large scale copying and large scale postage, as well as court fees, stenographic fees, expert witness fees and the like. 4. In what hourly increments do you intend to bill? We bill in increments of one tenth of an hour but do not charge for ministerial services or simple “yes or no” questions. Most billable charges contain a minimum charge of two tenths of an hour. 5. Do you bill out attorney time out of the office on a portal-to-portal basis or some other basis? Please describe. If a flat fee arrangement is not utilized (under which there is no billing for most travel), we bill on a portal to portal basis, provided that we bill from the Firm’s closest office for travel to the Town. 6. Do you intend to propose an alternative fee arrangement? Yes_X__ No____ If “yes”, please attach additional sheet(s) fully describing and explaining your proposal. Yes, see attached flat fee proposal.
Attachment A
Municipal Law Experience Checklist
Rate your experience in the following areas of municipal law using the scale below
1 = No experience
2 = Limited experience
3 = Moderate level experience
4 = Advanced experience
5 = Extensive experience
_5_ Zoning G.L. c. 40A
_5_ Chapter 40B affordable Housing
_5_ Chapter Lands G.L. c. 61, 61A, 61B (and rights of first refusal)
_4_ Education G.L. c. 70, 71, 71, 74, 76
_5_ Community Preservation Act G.L. c. 44B
_5_ Municipal Finance
_5_ Liquor Licensing
_5_ Conduct of Open Town Meeting
_5_ Subdivision Control Law
_5_ Public Bidding and Construction Law
_4_ Internal Investigations within Municipality
_5_ Land Acquisitions by Municipality
_5_ Open Meeting Law
_5_ Conflict of Interest Law
_5_ Wetlands Regulation (State and Local)
_5_ Oil & Hazardous Waste Contamination G.L. c. 21E
CERTIFICATION
By my signature, I certify that the information contained in this Response to Request for
Proposals is complete and accurate, to the best of my knowledge and belief.