Controversial Enfield Town Attorney Appointment Upheld

A controversial vote at Monday night’s Enfield Town Council meeting that resulted in a change of town attorney has been upheld by a legal opinion.

According to the legal opinion obtained Wednesday by Enfield Patch, an amended resolution moving director of public safety Christopher Bromson into his former position of town attorney, which passed by a 6-5 vote, was within the provisions of the town charter.

“(W)e conclude that the Town Council validly appointed Christopher Bromson to serve as Town Attorney,” stated the opinion, written by the legal firm of Shipman & Goodman.

However, the law firm said two provisions in the approved resolution were in violation of the town charter, pertaining to the positions of risk manager and director of public safety. Those provisions were deemed “infringing on certain powers and duties granted to the Town Manager,” the opinion states.

Mayor Scott Kaupin had introduced a resolution to re-appoint Kevin Deneen as town attorney. However, Councilor William “Red” Edgar distributed an amended resolution, switching Bromson back to his former position as town attorney, maintaining his post as risk manager and vacating the public safety director position until after the next budget season. Edgar then made a motion to adopt his proposal.

Considerable discussion ensued, during which Kaupin and several other councilors questioned the legality of the amendment. Kaupin also chided Edgar for changing his plan since a leadership meeting Thursday night, and for his apparent lack of transparency in the process.

Following nearly 20 minutes of discussion, the amendment was approved by a 6-5 vote, with Republican Carol Hall joining Democrats Edgar, Tom Arnone, Gina Cekala and Kathy Sarno in favor. Kaupin and fellow Republicans Joe Bosco, Greg Stokes, Bill Lee and Donna Szewczak were opposed.