By Meredith McCulloch
Special Town Meeting approved all articles on the warrant save one. A proposed Town Charter amendment that would have increased the number of signatures required for a recall election of an elected official was defeated on a voice vote. It would have increased the number from 10% to 20% of the voters in the previous election. In the past, one recall election was held but the petition was defeated at the polls.
For example, in the November 4 General Election 5,664 out of the 9,666 registered voters cast a ballot. The change would have required 1,132 signatures at 20% rather than 566 signatures under current rules. The Selectmen recommended approval of the amendment while the Finance Committee opposed. Opposing speakers said a requirement of 20% of voters’ signatures was too high a bar. Speaking in opposition Rich Daugherty suggested that passing the charter change “Would assure that there would never again be a recall in Bedford.”
Votes at Bedford’s 2014 Special Town Meeting:
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