The Tiverton Town Council last week decided against hiring an environmental attorney to represent the town's interests as the Mayflower Wind proposal moves forward.

Town councilor Donna Cook proposed the possibility of hiring an attorney earlier this month, two weeks after the Little Compton Town Council voted 4-1 to spend $5,000 on an attorney to represent its interests. Middletown did the same, and Cook told her fellow councilors that she believes Tiverton should follow the towns' examples to ensure that the town has a 'seat at the table' in the event that it is impacted by Mayflower’s plans.

But Tiverton Town Administrator Chris Cotta said it would be premature for Tiverton to hire an attorney at this point.

“I agree when it gets to the point that we hear that we need protection for our town, we would probably seek an environmental attorney…Let’s wait and see where it’s headed so we can make a more informed decision," he told the council. "I don’t see the need to expend monies at this point when other communities are already expending money and this will be a very public process.”