Town spends $15,000 in legal fees

PARIS — Over the last three months, Paris has spent $15,638 on legal services provided by the Bernstein Shur law firm.

The legal fees were included in a warrant signed by the board of selectmen during its May 14 meeting.

Town Manager Phil Tarr says that the majority of the money was spent on the Gravel Pit Road issue.

During the meeting, Selectwoman Jean Smart questioned Tarr on the figures, particularly over one charge from the law firm for $10,121.

Tarr said that the actual total was $17,000, but Bernstein Shur gave the town what he called a "goodwill discount."

Tarr said that the charges were bundled with legal work on other issues, including the town's personnel policy.

At the meeting, resident Kathy Richardson read aloud from a letter to the editor she wrote to the Advertiser Democrat addressing the issue of legal fees. 

She argued that the board of selectmen was spending too much money on the Gravel Pit Road issue, and needed to lead the town towards a solution to the issue. 

The controversy over right of way on Gravel Pit Road began months ago when the owner of the road posted signs preventing ATVs from using the road, despite an easement ensuring public access. Since then, the issue has grown more complex and now involves questions over public use of the town gravel pit.