Judge Orders EG To Pay Union Lawyer: Town May Appeal

EAST GREENWICH, RI—Town Council President Sue Cienki says East Greenwich might appeal the latest decision from Superior Court Judge Susan McGuirl. The councilors will take the matter up Feb. 26 during a closed door session.

McGuirl on Monday awarded the firefighters' union $41,905 in legal fees.

"We are deeply disappointed with this decision," Cienki said.

The fees are part of a lawsuit the union won against the Town over the axing of firefighter James Perry. He was reinstated. But in addition, the union also claimed the Town had violated the Open Meeting laws and was entitled to ask to be reimbursed for its lawyer's fees for time the attorney spent on Open Meeting law part of the case.

Attorney Liz Weins originally asked for $55,000.

"We believed that number was drastically inflated," Cienki said, " and argued that the time Ms. Weins spent on the Open Meetings Act portion of the suit was far less than she claimed." Because the two sides couldn't agree. McGuirl stepped in, Cienki said.

"This demands further Council discussion, and we intend to explore our options, including appeal," she said.

Patch File Photo: Margo Sullivan