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Council sets workshop to consider a recall ordinance after public questions
Summary
Following public comment and debate about limits in state law, the South Berwick Town Council voted 3-1 to set an April 7 workshop to consider a municipal recall ordinance and asked staff to prepare cost estimates for running a recall election.
The South Berwick Town Council voted to set a workshop for April 7 at 6 p.m. to consider a draft ordinance allowing recall of elected officials, after members and a resident discussed why such a local ordinance was proposed and what safeguards it should include.
Tamara Steinhauer (19 Hill Drive) urged the council to "address the reason that this was suggested so that the person who suggested it can stop being vilified." Council members explained the impetus: state removal statutes primarily allow removal for criminal activity and do not address dereliction of duty or other non‑criminal grounds. As one councilor summarized, "The problem with the state ordinance is really it only allows removal based on criminal activity." The council debated petition thresholds used by other towns (10%–25%), the need for cause, and the potential cost of holding a recall election.
Councilors asked staff to prepare a breakdown of the cost to run a recall election and to consider alternatives (such as filling a seat midterm) to inform the workshop. The motion to set the workshop passed 3-1; the board indicated staff will draft ordinance options after the workshop if the council decides to proceed.
