By Sarah Vogelsong
CP Reporter
Port Royal is in need of some legal advice.
For the past few months, the town has been in search of an attorney who can provide guidance on questions outside the expertise of elected officials. But although a few names have been thrown in the hat, none have worked out. One potential candidate would have had to reopen his practice in order to assume the position, a prohibitively expensive process. Other candidates have not returned staff or officials’ phone calls.
“We’ve kind of come to a little bit of a dead end,” Vice Mayor Jim Heimbach told Town Council at its Jan. 20 meeting.
One area in which Port Royal most keenly needs legal advice is in considering the potential sale of its deteriorating water system. In November, the Town Council voted in favor of finding an attorney to help deliberate this question.
However, as a heated discussion during the Council’s Jan. 20 meeting over residency requirements for appointment to the town’s Planning Commission made clear, an attorney is also needed for advice on a myriad of other issues. This need has become more acute since the passage of the town’s boundary line adjustment in July, which necessitated the rewriting of the town code.
Heimbach noted that an attorney with experience with municipal issues would be preferred.
Port Royal’s town code, based on Virginia code, allows the Council to appoint an attorney who will “furnish written or verbal opinions upon any subject involving questions of law in which the Town is interested,” draw up any necessary legal documents, and advocate for the town in any legal proceedings.
Interested persons should contact Town Manager Bill Wick for information.