Selectman says he'll miss working with ex-town attorney

Milton Select Chair Andy Rawson (Rochester Voice file photo)

COPYRIGHT2017© MILTON - Milton Selectmen Chair Andy Rawson on Thursday heaped praise on former Town Counsel Jim Sessler, who no longer works for the town as a result of a nonpublic selectmen's session Monday night.

At that meeting selectmen discussed lawyer and personnel issues and had a vote, Rawson said, however he said he couldn't disclose the nature of that vote.

Rawson did say that working as a selectman with Sessler had been a pleasure and an honor.

"Attorney Sessler and I have a very good working relationship," Rawson said. "He enjoyed working with me, and I will miss him and enjoyed working with him."

New Hampshire Deputy Attorney Ann Rice, a specialist in Right to Know and Chapter 91-A issues, said on Thursday that there are some decisions made in nonpublic sessions that are privileged.

She also stated that whether Sessler would be classified as town personnel or not was unclear.

Town Administrator Heather Thibodeau on Thursday had confirmed Sessler of Sessler Law Offices of Franklin had terminated his relationship with the town.

During the meeting prior to Monday's nonpublic, Rawson and Selectman Mike Beaulieu approved a motion to arrange a settlement with the owners of the property at Three Ponds Automotive over a rock wall behind the business, which Selectman Ryan Thibeault strongly disagreed.

Thibeault, an abutter to Three Ponds Automotive, had wanted to pursue a course that would've forced the business to hire an engineer to document the stability of the wall, while Rawson and Beaulieu on Monday called for an arrangement that would allow the business to keep the wall as is with no engineering report mandate if they held harmless the town from any liability associated with the 20-foot wall.

That infuriated Thibeault who has been a longstanding critic of the wall dating back prior to his becoming selectman. He vowed to selectmen during the public portion of the meeting that he would be getting back in touch with Sessler over Rawon's motion.

Rawson said during the public portion of the meeting that he, himself, had talked to Sessler and said he had advised the town to come to an agreement with the business rather than proceed in a more aggressive fashion.

Thibodeau said she was surprised Sessler had ended his relationship with the town, but said she was already looking to find another lawyer to act as town attorney.

In the meantime, she said the town would rely on the New Hampshire Municipal Association for legal advice.

Rawson said a lot more would be divulged at selectmen's next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 7.