(2000)

Dear Robert E. Watson, Esquire

On behalf of the Mayor and Town Council of Mountain Lake Park, you have requested our opinion on three questions related to service on the Town Council by an employee of the Town, particularly with reference to the State "anti-Hatch Act," which preserves the right of municipal employees to engage in political activity. Specifically, you ask:

1. Does the State anti-Hatch Act preempt a local prohibition — such as formerly appeared in the Town Charter — against Town employment of a Council member?

2. If the Town were to restore that prohibition to the Charter, could a…