ALBANY COUNCIL CONSIDERS HIRING ITS OWN ATTORNEY.(Capital Region)

Byline: JAY JOCHNOWITZ Staff writer

In one of its strongest shows yet of its growing independence from City Hall, the Common Council on Monday indicated it may hire its own attorney, ending its dependence on the city Law Department for advice.

The council, now studying its operations and rules, also raised the possibility of allowing regular public comment at its meetings and committee sessions, a break with a long- standing tradition that generally allowed citizens to talk only in scheduled public hearings.

The prospect of the council's hiring of an independent staff surfaced before a special committee headed by 8th Ward Alderman David Torncello and …