Billerica Select Board schedules June 17 interviews to select new town counsel

BILLERICA -- June 11, 2024, Billerica Select Board unanimously scheduled June 17 interviews for two law firms competing to replace longtime general counsel KP Law. At the June 11 special meeting, a two-member subcommittee, Selectman Michael Rosa and Selectwoman Favreau, presented reference-check findings on Brooks and DeRensis and Harrington Heep. Rosa called all six of the Brooks and DeRensis reference municipalities, reaching Canton, Mansfield, and Brimfield, and described "glowing" feedback for lead attorney Paul DeRensis; he also noted that former Acting Town Counsel Kevin Feely said "you cannot go wrong with either one." Favreau reported equally strong reviews for Harrington Heep from Littleton and Templeton, though the firm expressed hesitation about signing a formal contract without first reviewing the format, which the board agreed to provide in redacted form. The board also said it intends to require annual open-meeting-law training in any new contract, a provision that existed with KP Law but was never consistently enforced. The board then voted 5-0 twice to enter executive sessions on non-union personnel negotiations.