Legal Department

Mission Statement

The Legal Department is responsible for advising City Council and City staff on legal issues pertaining to the City Ordinances and State and Federal laws.The Department also provides advice to City Boards and Commissions.

The Legal Department prosecutes and defends suits and claims involving the City's interests in State and Federal courts and before administrative agencies boards. These include Forcible Entry and Detainer, Land Use Enforcement matters, appeals from City Council or Board decisions, enforcement of City Ordinances, matters before the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Aviation Administration, and matters with State agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Human Rights Commission.

The City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor drafts and/ reviews legal documents such as contracts, leases, deeds and liens to which City is a party. The Department also drafts proposed City ordinances and legislation.

The City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor do all and every professional action which may be required of them by the city government, or any special committee thereof, or any ordinance, resolve or order of the Council.