Politics & Government
Southington's Top Legal Advisor Now A Town Employee
The new corporation counsel position is a full-time employee serving the entire town.
SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington's legal team this month has undergone some changes in how it will deal with legal matters in the future, changes that will guide the town into 2023.
The Southington Town Council Dec. 12 voted unanimously to appoint veteran Southington attorney Lou Martocchio of Southington-based Martocchio & Oliveira to be the new town attorney.
Meanwhile, the former town attorney, Alex Ricciardone, will become Southington's corporation counsel, a new position created by the town whereby he will work under Southington Town Manager Mark J. Sciota.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The transition was formalized with a 9-0 council vote earlier this month.
Essentially, Ricciardone is now a town employee who handles legal matters regarding all boards and commissions, as well as town operations. It is a new position in the current town budget.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Meanwhile, Martocchio will continue the traditional, part-time town attorney role and, essentially, advise the town council, with the role being a council appointment.
Sciota briefly explained the situation at the Dec. 12 council meeting, saying having a corporation counsel hired by the town's chief executive is a means to both expand legal services for the town and do so in a bipartisan, apolitical manner.
"There was a desire for the position to no longer be a political position and be a bipartisan job," Sciota said.
As for the transition, local leaders wished both men well in their new roles.
"It's a bittersweet moment," Southington Town Council Chairperson Victoria Triano said of Ricciardone no longer serving the council, adding Martocchio's legal experience will be welcome as well.
"Attorney Martocchio has been in practice for 33 years," Triano said.
Ricciardone thanked council members for his time working with them.
"I just want to thank the council for your trust in me, for your appointment. I consider you all friends and its been wonderful to work with you," he said.
For the minutes of the Dec. 12 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.
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