LEGAL DEPARTMENT
The primary objective of this department continues to be to advise all Town boards and officials about their legal responsibilities and prerogatives as well as representing the Town, its agencies and officers both in courts of various jurisdiction as well as before state administrative agencies such as the Civil Service Commission, the Labor Relations Commission, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Department of Industrial Accidents. Additional duties include the drafting of warrant articles and votes at Town Meeting time for both Town officials and citizens of the Town.
As a corporation, the Town is constantly involved in contractual and other legal arrangements with public and private agencies in the purchase of properties and materials, the rendering of services and awarding of grants. The Town Counsel prepares many applications, contracts, leases, deeds and other legal instruments concerning these matters.
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, and grievance arbitration proceedings.
The Legal Department also manages and directs the Town's Workers' Compensation Self-Insurance program. Through the timely processing of claims and the attentive investigation of accidents, this Department aims to protect workers from the economic consequences of injury, promote safe work environments, assist injured employees in both their medical recovery and return to work, and seeks to limit the Town's liability consistent with the fair treatment of injured workers. The Department prepares and litigates all contested Workers' Compensation cases before the Department of Industrial Accidents and reviews and develops responses to any pending legislation affecting the Town's Workers' Compensation program.
This Department administers line-of-duty injury claims for all police and fire personnel with the goal of providing complete claims management for any injured on duty uniformed employee of the police and fire divisions consistent with appropriate provisions of law, fairness to effected employees, and prudent financial practices.
The Department continues to actively assist the Symmes Advisory Committee and the Redevelopment Board in determining the ultimate disposition of the Symmes Hospital site.