Petitioner asks Worcester to add local recall elections; subcommittee votes to file petition

Joanna L. Hampton Dantz told the municipal and legislative operations subcommittee she was "fully in favor of amending the charter to, reflect the voter recall," arguing that recall authority would provide accountability when elected officials do not perform their duties. "If you're not doing the duties of the people of the city... then we should be able to vote you out," Dantz said.

City Solicitor Alex Calcuttas explained the legal process to the committee: "this would require a charter commission," and a charter change affecting the election or terms of a councilor cannot be done under the home rule amendment's minor-change provision. He described the typical sequence as a resident petition with the required signatures that would lead to voter consideration of a charter commission and any charter changes.

Councilors discussed the timing of pursuing a charter commission in an election year and noted constituent concerns about accountability and compensation. Committee members asked procedural questions about refiling rules. The clerk, AJ Pottle, said the rule for refiling after an item is filed is 90 days.

Chairperson Morris Bergman said his inclination was to file the petition now and revisit it after the election and when a new council takes office. The committee voted to file the petition; roll call recorded Councilor Donna Calorio, Councilor Luis Ojeda and Chairperson Bergman voting yes.

No immediate steps were taken to initiate a charter commission at this meeting.