The purposes of Municipal Law Section are:

1. to promote the development of all aspects of municipal law, procedure and practice;
   
   
2. to promote scholarly research in the field of municipal law and
   
   
3. disseminate to the bar and the general public helpful information in the field of municipal law.
   

The Municipal Law Section has been relatively active in the continuing education arena in 2002.

In January, the Section organized and hosted a seminar entitled "Current Issues in Municipal Liability and Immunity." The seminar was well-attended by members of the bar and municipal officials, and focused on a number of issues under the Maine Tort Claims Act, Section 1983 liability, insurance issues, and ethical considerations. Among the featured speakers were Magistrate Judge Margaret Kravchuk, who provided a perspective from the bench, and Professor Karen Blum, noted lecturer on Section 1983 liability.

At the summer bar conference in Bar Harbor, Rebecca Warren Seel "retired" as co-chair of the Section. Matthew Tarasevich continued as co-chair, along with Catherine O'Connor. John Hamer of Bangor was elected as Section secretary. In November, the municipal section teamed with the Real Estate Section to provide a seminar on land use and environmental regulations.

During the coming year the Section hopes to host at least one seminar, either on its own or with another section, and to hold regional lunch or dinner meeting on issues of municipal interest. As always, the Section is looking for volunteers to serve as Section leaders, CLE participants and speakers at regional meetings and for suggestions on topics of interest to section members.

Catherine O'Connor and Matthew Tarasevich,

Co-Chairs