Council asks Charter Commission for legal estimates before approving extra spending

Councilors discussed a request from the Charter Commission indicating the group expects to exceed the modest amount originally allocated for public‑notice and legal costs. The commission secretary (speaker 6) said the group is conscious of taxpayer money and has requested three estimates from area law firms.

Councilors urged the Charter Commission to return with scope and cost estimates (or RFPs) so the council can consider a specific appropriation rather than open‑ended spending. The town finance staff recommended creating a separate object in the chart of accounts to track commission expenses and noted $5,000 in the FY27 legal line could be designated to the commission once properly accounted for. Staff and council agreed to return with an action plan and cost estimate before authorizing additional spending.