Bradford Select Board: Informational hearing held on proposed recall charter amendment
The board heard from the lead petitioner and residents on a proposed charter amendment on recall, then adjourned the hearing at 6:26 p.m.
Bradford Select Board · Meeting recap · meeting of Wednesday, October 14, 2026
The Bradford Select Board held a public informational hearing on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in BA Building Rm 26. The hearing covered a proposed amendment to the Charter of the Town of Bradford. Board members Carole P. Taylor, Meroa S. Benjamin and Jean Carlan were present. Josh Allen and Jarrod Kosakowski were absent. Several residents attended in person, and three joined by Zoom.
Chair Meroa Benjamin called the hearing to order, explained the rules for the meeting and read the proposed amendment aloud.
Decisions
- Jean Carlan made a motion to adjourn the hearing at 6:26 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes do not record any other motions or votes.
Also discussed
- Lead petitioner's presentation: Marcey Carver, the lead petitioner, summarized the petition and explained why she felt the amendment was necessary. She said a recall would need 15% of voters, which is much more than other petitions. She said only two of the towns with recall in their charters require a cause. She also said stating a cause in a petition is challenging and can open the door to legal implications.
- Comments from residents: Bob Wing said he signed the petition but is not in favor of it. He said most elected positions have terms of 1, 2 or 3 years, which he felt were short enough to wait for a term to end. Byron Kidder read a statement he had written in the Journal Opinion in opposition to the petition. Larry Coffin asked whether other Vermont towns have used a recall.
- Clarification: Ms. Carver said a recall is not an impeachment because no crime is involved. She described it as a way to hold accountable those who hold office.
- Cost and origin: The Chair asked about the cost of a special election after a recall vote. Ms. Carver said it would only cost the paper and the costs the Town Clerk would incur for setting up. She said the language was consolidated from other towns and run past a variety of people. She said the intent was to make a recall difficult to accomplish because it is a serious step.
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