Staff Writer
HAMMOND — An ordinance to recall Hammond’s elected officials failed by a slim margin Monday night.
At a special Dec. 17 town meeting, voters were asked to consider enacting an “ordinance for the recall of elected municipal officials.” Town Clerk Diane Hines said the ordinance would have allowed voters to recall either all or some of the town’s elected officials.
Selectperson Peggy Benn said at the meeting that the issue emerged after the Board of Selectmen received a petition asking them to consider a recall ordinance. The petition was signed by 22 Hammond voters, the percentage necessary for the issue to be brought to a vote.
Previous to that, said Benn, selectmen had been given a letter making a similar request.
“I just don’t understand what the real need for this is,” said one resident at the meeting. “We voted these people in and when their time is up, we can vote for other people.”
When it came time to decide on the new ordinance, townspeople turned the proposal down with a 7-6 vote.
In other business, voters acted on the follow items.
• Angie Wotton was appointed to fill Hammond’s vacancy on the SAD 29 Board of Directors. Wotton recently relocated to Hammond and had served with the school board while she lived in Littleton.
• A motion to open bids received on B Road property was tabled due to further questions on ownership and the lien process.
• Appropriations for the town’s truck payment and their audit were approved.
