WINSTED — The Winchester Board of Selectmen made quick business of a controversial issue this week when it voted 4-3 to keep Town Attorney Kevin Nelligan in his position, reappointing him for the 2007-09 term.
Nelligan, who has worked with the town for the past 18 years, came in as the low bidder to be the board's attorney for another term, but Republicans on the board brought forward the nomination of attorney Judy Dixon as a replacement for Nelligan. Dixon, a member of the Republican Town Committee, presented a bid which would have charged the town $175 per hour for services, while Nelligan's bid came in at $100 per hour.
After a contentious meeting last month, in which Democrats on the board criticized Republicans for being fiscally irresponsible with their nomination, Dixon withdrew her bid to be the new town attorney. A motion to appoint her was subsequently withdrawn and the board voted 4-3 to keep Nelligan on as the board's counsel.
Voting for the motion were Democrats Candy Perez and Michael Renzullo, along with Republicans Jeff Liskin and Mayor Kenneth Fracasso. Republicans Gene Berlinksy, David Cappabianca and Michael Hamm voted against the motion.
—Michael Marciano










