Rockport’s attorney to step down

ROCKPORT – After serving for 27 years, Paul Gibbons has announced he no longer wants to be the town attorney.

In a statement released Tuesday, Gibbons said he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the legal services contract.

The Board of Selectmen is expected to choose an attorney or a law firm to represent the town at its Jan. 28 meeting, Town Manager Ken Smith said Wednesday.

Contacted Wednesday, Gibbons said he is withdrawing from consideration for the legal work to make it easier for selectmen to make a decision.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the citizens of Rockport that an attorney or legal firm be chosen to represent the town as soon as possible,” he noted in the written statement. “It is my hope that withdrawing my application … will assist the Rockport selectmen in making a prompt decision on this important issue.”

Gibbons, of the Camden firm Gibbons and Calderwood, has been a fixture in town affairs, handling Rockport’s litigation work and advising its boards. But last year, selectmen decided they wanted to formalize the arrangement between town and attorney and issued requests for proposals to several law firms specializing in municipal work.

Gibbons was also encouraged to submit a proposal.

The board concluded it wanted to enter into a multiyear contract with a law firm; Gibbons did not have a contract with the town. The board also was interested in how the firms would represent the town, and so Smith drafted a list of questions each firm was asked to address.

The board reviewed the six proposals it received for the work, and late in the fall narrowed the field to three firms, including a proposal Gibbons submitted that included assistance from another law firm. Selectmen interviewed representatives of the firms, but apparently could not reach a decision.

Just last week, the board interviewed attorney John Carver of Belfast, whose name was removed from consideration after the first round of board discussion.

Smith would not reveal which, if any, firm or attorney the board is leaning toward.

“They’ll formalize their action” with a vote later this month, he said.

Asked why he thought the board had begun looking at other attorneys, Gibbons quipped: “It’s hard being a prophet in your own town.”

But he also said he understood the board’s desire to consider other attorneys.

“They may want a fresh look,” he said. Larger firms can offer more lawyers to provide a variety of specialties, he added.

According to Pat Small, the town’s finance director, Gibbons was paid $90 an hour for the bulk of his legal advice; $85 an hour for zoning and planning work; and $130 for litigation.

The town spent $69,797 on legal services in 2000-2001, with $60,455 going to Gibbons and his firm. The town has budgeted $50,000 for legal work this year, but in the first four months, has already spent $31,506, Small said.

Gibbons will continue providing regular legal representation for Thomaston and Hope, and occasional work for Waldoboro, Belfast, Warren, South Thomaston, Rockland and Owls Head.