The following letter was sent to the Little Compton Town Council, following the recent appointment of Anthony DeSisto as the town's new solicitor. DeSisto also serves as council for the state Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC):

I read the recent commentary piece in the Providence Journal — "CRMC Decision a Slap in the Face to the Rhode Island Legislature."

The opinion piece calls for a full-time CRMC attorney and not a part-time, private attorney. The pice also discussed the problems with the Champlin's Marina decision by the CRMC.

Given the fact that the new town solicitor in Little Compton also serves as the CRMC attorney, it would appear that conflicts will abound. A significant part of Little Compton falls under CRMC jurisdiction. How will the new town solicitor give a legal opinion that will impact the CRMC, and that will also impact Little Compton?

Is one of the hidden costs of the appointment of a new solicitor going to result in expensive referrals to conflict counsel? Please address this at your next meeting.

Martina Halsey

Little Compton