A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating Murphy Hessie Tumi and Leah Hane, a law firm with a long-standing relationship with the town. Katherryn Hessie, one of the firm’s founding partners, introduced the team, emphasizing their depth of experience and commitment to the community. Lead counsel candidate Kate Connelly brought to light her 32 years of expertise in municipal law and her previous tenure at Copelman and Paige, where she led counsel for several towns. Her specialization in land use permitting and litigation was highlighted, stressing the importance of avoiding unnecessary legal battles. Backup counsel candidate Caris North shared her background as a former Environmental Protection Agency regulator and her nearly two decades with Murphy Hessie, focusing on affordable housing and governance issues.

During the discussion, board members inquired about the firm’s approach to municipal governance and risk management. Connelly clarified the firm’s advisory role, stating, “Our role is advisory,” and emphasized the importance of efficient communication and a single point of contact within the firm to streamline the process. North echoed the sentiment, suggesting regular office hours at town hall to facilitate direct engagement with department heads and foster better relationships, thereby preventing legal issues from escalating.

The conversation also delved into the complexities of providing legal opinions in public settings, particularly concerning attorney-client privilege. The legal representatives stressed the need for concise communication to protect the town’s position in ongoing litigation. They discussed the balance between transparency and confidentiality, noting when legal opinions can be shared publicly and when they should remain confidential.

Another focal point of the meeting was the ongoing dispute over flight traffic patterns affecting Milton. The town has faced challenges since the FAA and Massport altered navigation controls in 2015, leading to increased noise and disruption. A participant described the effort to address these issues as a “Mount Everest type climb,” indicative of the community’s struggle to achieve relief through litigation and grassroots lobbying. Despite limited success, legal counsel advised continued grassroots organization.

As the board contemplated a vote on the town’s legal representation, there was a suggestion to delay the decision to allow for further consideration of the information presented. One member expressed a desire to conduct additional inquiries, recognizing the integral role of Murphy Hessie in the community over the past decades. The legal counsel reaffirmed their readiness to work with the town, emphasizing their ability to expedite necessary documentation to meet the tight timeline of the upcoming town meeting.

The meeting concluded with an acknowledgment of the contributions made by the legal team and the ongoing challenges ahead, particularly concerning both legal and community issues. Members expressed their intention to deliberate further on the information gathered, with plans to reconvene and make a decision on the legal counsel at a future meeting.