VAN DEWATER AND VAN DeWATER, LLP
COUNSELORS AT LAW John B. Van DeWater (1892-1968) 85 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, SUITE 101 Noel deCordova, Jr. (1929-2013) Robert B. Van DeWater (1921-1990) P.O. BOX 112 Edward vK Cunningham, Jr. (1935-2018) Gerard J. Comatos, Jr. POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK 12601 Ronald C. Blass, Jr. (1951-2018) Kyle W. Bamett Daniel F. Thomas HI (845) 452-5900 John K. Gifford Danielle E. Strauch Fax (845) 452-5848 James E. Nelson — ; Matthew W. Lizotte Rebecca S. Mensch Counsel —_———— WEBSITE ADDRESS: Sarah E. Ryan www.vandewaterlaw.com Hannah L. Atkinson GENERAL E-MAIL ADDRESS: info@vandewaterlay.com October 17, 2025
Via email: ksmythe@redhooknyvillage.org Karen Smythe, Mayor 7467 South Broadway Red Hook, NY 12571
Re: Engagement Agreement ~— 2026 Our File No. 16034-01
Dear Mayor:
DeWater, This letter sets forth the terms and conditions under which Van DeWater & Van provide generalLLP, islegal engagedservicesby theto theVillageVillage.of Red Hook (“Village”). The scope of services are to
clear We believe a letter of engagement advances our mutual interest of arriving at a will understanding concerning the nature of our representation and the manner in which we be compensated. Further, we are required by court rule to provide our clients with a written retainer agreement explaining, among other things, the manner in which fees and expenses will be billed.
$1,950.00 Our fee proposal is $23,400.00 per year, payable in monthly installments of projects. for general Village matters and $270.00 per hour for consulting work and special paralegals, If the efficient management of work would be advanced by the involvement of billed we will bill for their time at the rate of $160.00 per hour. Litigation matters will be at the rate of $350.00 per hour. .
reasonably In addition to our legal fees, we will be reimbursed for any expenses which are typically and necessarily incurred by the firm as a result of our engagement. These expenses fees, include long distance telephone charges, photocopy expense, travel expenses, filing fees for transcripts, witness fees, other litigation expenses and the like.
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We will bill for our legal fees and disbursements on a monthly basis. Payment is due within 30 days. matters Under New York State law, clients have the right to arbitrate fee disputes in civil for amounts of at least $1,000 but less than $50,000. Members of an arbitration panel are impartial and will be familiar with the area of law in dispute. You should know that the outcome of arbitration is final and binding on all parties.
Upon termination of our services our files will be returned to the Village. We reserve the right to charge administrative fees and costs associated with researching, retrieving, copying and delivering such files.
If you have any questions about this letter or the services we provide for you, we encourage you to call or write. If you have any questions about any of our invoices, please call as soon as you receive the statement. If we have not heard from you within 30 days of the date of the invoice, we will assume that you have reviewed it and find it acceptable, and we will expect payment in a timely manner. you. Thank you for your interest in retaining my firm. | look forward to working with
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Sincerely, VAN DEWATER & VAN DEWATER, LLP LEW. BARNETT © ----- End of picture text -----
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The undersigned hereby accept the terms and conditions set forth herein.
VILLAGE OF RED HOOK
a Dated: Karen Smythe, Mayor
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