(a) General rule.--The borough solicitor shall:

(1) Prepare or approve, if directed or requested to do so by council or the mayor, any bonds, obligations, contracts, leases, conveyances, ordinances and assurances to which the borough or any department of the borough may be a party.

(2) Commence and prosecute all actions brought by the borough for or on account of any of the estates, rights, trusts, privileges, claims or demands of the borough, as well as defend the borough or any borough officer against all actions or suits brought against the borough or borough officer in which any of the estates, rights, privileges, trusts, ordinances or accounts of the borough may be brought in question before any court in this Commonwealth.

(3) Furnish the council or committees of the council, the mayor or the head of a department, upon request, with an opinion in writing upon any question of law which may be submitted by any of them in their official capacities.

(4) Perform every other professional act incident to the office which the borough solicitor may be authorized or required to do by the council or the mayor.

(b) Outside counsel.--In the case of a legal dispute between the mayor and council or in any other case in which representation of the mayor and council by the borough solicitor would create a conflict of interest for the borough solicitor, the mayor may employ outside counsel at borough expense, not to exceed $4,000 in any 12-month period, to perform necessary legal services.