The Public’s Radio — ‘It does not look good’: Westerly solicitor in the hot seat over shoreline access representation
Westerly Town Solicitor William Conley at a town council meeting Nov 6, where he faced sharp criticism from members of the public. Alex Nunes/The Publics Radio
Nov 20, 2023
By Alex Nunes — The town of Westerly is widely considered to have a mixed, if not weak, record on fighting for the public to get to the shoreline. Advocates for coastal access point to the town’s tepid pursuit of beach rights-of-way, questionable changes to boat mooring policies, and highly restrictive parking rules in exclusive shoreline areas. Now access advocates say the general public faces a newer threat: Westerly’s own town solicitor. They say his past actions in shoreline access matters continue to raise doubts about whose interests he’s serving in critical ongoing legal cases.
At your average town council meeting, the town solicitor is more likely to blend in with the wallpaper in the room than stand out as the person at the center of attention.
The attorney typically sits quietly, answers questions when called on by council members, and goes mostly unnoticed by the public. But things are different these days in Westerly, where the Town Council’s solicitor, William – or Bill – Conley continues to be the target of red hot criticism from residents.
Speakers at the podium have insinuated that Conley effectively aids the town’s opposition, keeps council members in the dark about critical legal matters they should know about, stonewalls the release of public information, and generally works against the interests of the public.
The criticism of Conley is coming from a persistent source: advocates for greater beach access who are from Westerly, or live in nearby towns. They think Conley is using his position to work against their cause and in favor of coastal property owners who happen to be represented by attorneys he knows.
“I think there is some terrorism by Mr. Conley terrorizing our citizenry,” Joseph MacAndrew, a Westerly resident and chair of the town’s Conservation Commission, said at a Nov. 6 meeting.
“Because he is not representing us. He is not representing the people,” MacAndrew told the Westerly Town Council. “Please put your hand up and try to say, ‘We need a different solicitor.’”
…