Kennebunk Select Board discusses potential changes to recall provision in town charter

The Kennebunk Select Board discussed whether to amend the town charterrecall provision at its Feb. 24 meeting, after members said a 2022 attempt to recall two school board directors proved divisive and exposed ambiguous language in Article 7.

Chair Miriam Whitehouse said the draft language proved controversial in 2022 and that she wants a general conversation and legal review before moving forward. Several members emphasized the need to understand the legal threshold for what constitutes a permissible amendment versus a full revision of the charter.

Select Board member William Ward Jr. questioned whether changes would qualify as "de minimis," arguing that some proposed language might be too broad to be treated as a minor amendment. Town Manager Bryan Laverriere said he had consulted with town legal counsel and that staff would ask the attorney to prepare a red-line version and guidance on process and timing.

Kortney Nedeau said she would like a stronger recall provision but warned that fixing one article could create conflicts with other charter sections; she recommended a broader review. Board members discussed potential time and resource constraints and whether a citizen petition or a charter commission might be a more practical route.

Several members supported holding a focused workshop after the budget cycle so legal questions and board concerns could be addressed in one session and televised for public viewing. No formal vote or change to the charter was taken at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will ask the town attorney for a legal opinion and a draft red-line; the board signaled interest in a workshop (members suggested April or May) to evaluate options and public outreach, but set no final schedule.