On Brookline

Here’s a curious item in the bill presented to the Town of Brookline for his legal advocacy on behalf of DPW Commissioner Tom DeMaio, or Town Hall’s Dr. Phil. Apparently Allen attended four meetings with Town Counsel Jennifer Dopazo at the time she was conducting an administrative review on behalf of the Selectmen.

Of course, as part of her review, Ms. Dopazo would want to interview the Commissioner and I’d say that’s good for about one of Allen’s $350.00 hours.

But what about this? A line item in Allen’s invoice reads (for January 17, 2006): “Meet with Town Counsel with Tom DeMaio; Preparation of Exhibits…3.00 hours…$1,050.00.”

Does this mean that Dopazo, while reviewing allegations central to a (non-approved) motion to investigate the DPW, was conferring with DeMaio and Allen on the exhibits to be presented at a public hearing on the motion? A hearing where she essentially presented exhibits and tortured the relevant stautes to exhonerate DeMaio and the crew?

I’ve asked Town Administrator Richard Kelliher (who is paid $228,805 to serve, among his other duties, as the official spokesperson for the Town on administrative matters) why the taxpayer’s lawyer would be preparing exhibits with a lawyer seeking to prevent an investigation into matters where the taxpayers were at risk.

Kelliher seldom writes me back. Maybe someone else will have better luck. Click here for his contact information. And let me know what he says.