On the agenda: South Hadley meeting — Data Center (Oct 7)

Virtual Bylaw Review Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 – 4 p.m.
Join Zoom Webinar from your computer:
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Note: Not all topics listed here may be reached for discussion. In addition, the topics listed are
those which the chair reasonably expects will be discussed as of the date of this notice. This
meeting may be audio and/or visually recorded.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Draft minutes of Sept. 9, 2026

Documents:
BYLAW REVIEW MEETING 9_9_26.PDF
3. NEW BUSINESS
General Bylaws
- Residents speak at town meeting
- Bus Camea
- Food Truck

Citizen Petitions
- Elected officials Recall

Draft Town Meeting Warrant - other articles to consider
Documents:
DRAFT WARRANT FOR OCTOBER 6 SELECTBOARD MEETING - NOVEMBER
2026 STM.DOCX (1).PDF
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING BYLAWS - RECALL PROCESS.PDF
4. ADJOURN

REMOTE BYLAW REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
Present via Zoom: Chair David King, Members Jim Bosman, Ira Brezinski,
M P Chevrette, Charles Miles, Town Administrator Lisa Wong, Town Clerk
Sarah Gmeimer
Meeting called to order at 4:10pm
Jim B made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 12, 2026 meeting.
Ira B seconded. Approved by a 4-0-1 vote (M P Chevrette abstained)
A discussion regarding the topic of changing the Bylaw regarding allowing
non Town Meeting members to speak at Town Meeting was conducted. A
decision was made to have a small group of members work on a proposal
and bring it back to the group at the next meeting. Dave K and Charles M
will get together and come up with a new bylaw proposal.
Lisa brought up other Bylaws that were in the process of being developed
for this Town Meeting. We will need to have another meeting to review
those proposals. A meeting date of October 7, 2026 was established/
Ira B made a motion to adjourn the meeting, M P Chevrette seconded, Vote
5-0. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
SOUTH HADLEY, MASSACHUSETTS
WARRANT
Hampshire, ss.
TO: Either of the Constables of the Town of South Hadley
ADA ADVISORY
Anyone in need of special arrangements for the Town Meeting, please contact the Office of the
Selectboard at (413) 538-5030 ext. 6136 or [email protected] by October 21,
2026 in order that reasonable accommodations may be made.
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn
the Inhabitants of the Town of South Hadley that the SPECIAL TOWN MEETING will be held
at 153 Newton Street, South Hadley, Massachusetts on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
or as soon thereafter as the subject matter of this warrant can then and there be reached, and the
Town Clerk is required to notify and warn the Town Meeting Members then and there to meet
and act on the following articles;

REPORTS
ARTICLE 1:​ ​

HEAR REPORTS

To see if the town will hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers, Boards, and
Committees; or take any other action in relation thereto.

FINANCIAL ARTICLES

ARTICLE 2:​ ​

Animal Control Transfer

To see if the Town will transfer $15,600 from Health Expenses to Health Personnel, or take any
other action relative thereto.

GENERAL ARTICLES
ARTICLE 3:​ ​

Speaking at Town Meeting

Bylaw Review Committee working on draft recommendations
ARTICLE 4:​ ​

Adopt MGL Ch 40 S 71 - Bus Cameras

To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of MGL Chapter 40 Section 71 to allow the
Town to install and operate a school bus violation detection monitoring system on a school bus to
enforce violations pursuant to sections 14 and 14C of chapter 90, or take any action relative
thereto.
ARTICLE 5:​ ​

Food Truck Bylaw

To see if the Town will amend:
Chapter § 177-3 Vending on public rights-of-way to eliminate: (7) Be limited to no more than 14
days per calendar month at any one location and correct affected numbering;
Chapter § 177-4 Vending on private commercial properties to eliminate C. Limited to no more
than 14 days per calendar month at any one location
ZONING ARTICLES

ARTICLE 6:​ ​

Sign Bylaw Amendment

Amend Chapter 225-85 Signs - Amend 255-85(G) Enforcement to correct fine amounts that
were rejected by the Attorney General in their September 4, 2026 decision letter.
The Planning Board held a hearing on October 5, 2026.
ARTICLE 7:​ ​

Amend Article IX Chapter 255-128(H)

Amend Chapter 255 Article IX Special Permits - Allow transfer of Special Permits by approval
from Special Permit Granting Authority.
The Planning Board held a hearing on October 5, 2026.
ARTICLE 8:​ ​

129 College Street

The Planning Board voted on the report to Town Meeting Members October 5, 2026.

ARTICLE 9:​ ​

Agricultural Use Bylaw

To see if Town Meeting will vote to repeal Zoning Bylaw Chapter 255-25 "Agricultural,
horticultural, and floricultural uses" and replace with "Agricultural Uses Accessory to
Residential Uses"; repeal Chapter 255-26 "Stables and riding academies" and replace with
"Commercial Agricultural Uses"; amend 255-10 "Terms defined" by adding certain terms related
to agricultural uses; amend 255-24 "Accessory uses and buildings" by adding reference to new
definition for agricultural uses and new standards as included in Chapters 255-25 and 255-26;
repeal 255-41 "Outdoor recreation facilities"; and amend Chapter 255 Attachment 1 Use
Regulation Schedule to reflect the uses as articulated in the amended bylaws, as further
articulated in the Planning Board’s Report to Town Meeting on file at the Town Clerk’s office, or
take any other action relative thereto.
The Planning Board voted on the report to Town Meeting Members October 5, 2026.

ARTICLE 10:​

​

Data Center Bylaw

To see if the Town will Amend Zoning Bylaw Use Regulations Schedule 255-10 Terms Defined
- Prohibit Data Centers.
Planning Board to hold a public hearing October 26, 2026.
CITIZENS PETITIONS

ARTICLE 11:​

​

Recall of Elected Officials

To see if the Town will Pursuant to Article 8 of the 1780 Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, in
order to prevent those who are vested with authority from objectively failing to act in accordance
with the results of votes cast by the majority of voters, or objectively failing to act in the best
interests of the electorate, the citizens of South Hadley shall have a right, at such periods and in
such manner as Town Meeting shall establish, and the Commonwealth shall approve, to cause
their public officers to return to private life. Grounds for removal (malfeasance, misfeasance, or
nonfeasance in office; conviction of a felony; Incapacity to serve; abuse of authority, and/or
failure to disclose conflict(s) of interest, actions relevant thereto, and procedures to fill vacant
offices by established elections and/ or appointments are provided in Appendix A attached
hereto, or take any other action relative thereto.

APPENDIX A
RECALLS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Section 1. Any holder of an elected office in the Town of South Hadley may be recalled, and removed
from that office, by the qualified voters of the town as provided herein.
Section 2.
Step 1:
Any fifty (50) registered voters may initiate a recall petition by filing with the Town Clerk of the Town
of South Hadley an affidavit containing the name of the officer sought to be recalled and a statement
of the grounds for recall, which may include: (a) malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office;
(b) conviction of a felony; (c) Incapacity to serve; (d) abuse of authority, and/or (e) failure to disclose
conflict(s) of interest.
Step 2:
After the Town Clerk has certified that the form of the affidavit constitutes a legally sufficient recall
ballot question, the Town Clerk shall within four (4) business days, deliver to the voter submitting the
affidavit a sufficient number of copies of blank signature forms demanding the recall. These blank
petition forms shall be issued by the Town Clerk with his or her signature and official seal attached to
them. They shall be dated and addressed to the Select Board, demand the election of a successor to the
office, and contain (i) the name of the person sought to be recalled, (ii) the office from which recall is
sought, and (iii) grounds for recall stated in the affidavit. Every registered voter signing the petition
shall also include the voter's place of residence including the street & number. An original copy of the
petition shall be entered in a record book to be kept in the office of the Town Clerk.
Before any officer can be subjected to a recall ballot, the petition shall be signed by at least five
percent (5%) of the registered voters or seventy-five percent (75%) of the average number of voters in
local Town Elections for the previous three (3) years, whichever is the lesser amount.
Step 3:
The completed recall petition shall be returned and filed with the Town Clerk on or before 5:00 p.m.
of the thirtieth (30th) day after the issuance of the petition to the filer. If the thirtieth day is a Friday,
Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the petition may be filed on the next business day.
The Town Clerk shall, within five (5) business days after the date of its filing, submit the recall
petition to the Board of Registrars of voters of the Town of South Hadley, which shall, within five (5)
business days certify in writing the number of Town voter signatures. Upon completion of its
certification the Board of Registrars shall return the petition to the Town Clerk.
Section 3. If the petition has a sufficient number of valid signatures it shall be certified by the Town
Clerk and Board of Registrars, the Town Clerk shall submit it to the Select Board within two (2)
business days. The Select Board shall, within three (3) business days, give written notice to the officer
subject to the recall that they have received the certification. If the officer does not resign within five
(5) business days after receipt of the notice, the Select Board shall order a special election to be held
not less than sixty (60) nor more than seventy-five (75) days after the date of the Town Clerk's
certificate that a sufficient petition has been filed. However, if any other town election is to occur
within one-hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the certificate, the Select Board may, in their
reasonable discretion, postpone the holding of the recall election to the date of that other election. If a
vacancy occurs in the office subject to recall after the election has been ordered, the election shall

nevertheless proceed as provided in this Section. If the officer subject to recall is a member of the
Select Board, he or she shall recuse from participating in decisions on whether and when to hold a
special election or postpone as provided herein.
Section 4. Any officer subject to a recall petition may be a candidate to succeed to the office if they
file the required application. The nomination of other candidates, the publication of the warrant for the
recall election, and the conduct of the election shall all be in accordance with the Town's bylaws
governing local elections, unless otherwise provided in this Chapter.
Section 5. The officer shall continue to perform the duties of the office until the recall election. If the
recall fails, or if the officer is re-elected, the officer shall continue in the office for the remainder of
both terms. If the recall is successful and the officer is not re-elected, he or she shall be considered
removed upon certification of the election by the Town Clerk.
Section 6. Ballots used in a recall election shall submit the following proposition in the order
indicated:
Part One (Recall) Vote YES___ or NO___Shall [Name of Officer] be removed/ recalled;
Part Two (Candidates) [List names of all qualified persons] - elect One (1) successor candidate.
If the majority of the votes cast on the recall question are in the affirmative, then the candidate who
received the highest number of votes in the special election to fill the vacancy shall be elected. If the
majority of the votes cast on the recall question are in the negative, the ballots for candidates to fill the
potential vacancy need not be counted.
Section 7. No recall petition shall be filed against an officer within six (6) months after taking office,
nor in the case of an officer subjected to a recall election and not removed thereby, until at least six (6)
months after that election.
Section 8. No person who has been recalled from an office or who has resigned from office while
recall proceedings were pending against him or her shall be eligible for appointment to the office from
which the person resigned or has been removed within two (2) years after such removal by recall or
resignation.

https://www.mass.gov/law-library/massachusetts-city-and-town-ordinances-and-bylaws
Adams https://ecode360.com/AD2021/home
None
Arlington
https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/laws-and-regulations/town-bylaws/title-i-generalgovernment#A1
None
Auburn https://www.auburnma.gov/251/Town-Charter-and-Bylaws
None
Belmont https://ecode360.com/BE3086/home
None
Billerica https://www.billerica.gov/378/Town-Charter-By-Laws
None
Brookline https://ecode360.com/BR2945/home
None
Burlington https://www.burlington.org/380/Bylaws-Maps
None
Chelmsford https://ecode360.com/CH1747/home

Section 3-12
Recall of Elected Officers.

Application. Any holder of an elected office in the town, except town meeting
members, with more than six months remaining in the term of office for which the
officer was elected, may be recalled therefrom by the voters of the town in the
manner provided in this section. No recall petition shall be filed against an officer
within three months after taking office.

(b)

Recall Petition.

[Amended Acts of 2012, Ch. 73, approved 4-18-2012]

(i)

A recall petition may be initiated by the filing of an affidavit, on a form provided by the
town clerk, containing the name of the officer sought to be recalled, appearing as
registered on the current voting list prepared under sections 37 and 37A of chapter
51 of the General Laws, and a statement of the grounds for recall. The town clerk
shall provide to the person requesting the affidavit form the name of the person
whose recall is sought as it appears on the current voting list. Such affidavit shall be
signed by at least 25 voters from each of the precincts into which the town is divided
for the purpose of electing town meeting members. Signatures shall be collected on
a single affidavit form for each precinct; provided, however, that if the affiants wish to
collect more signatures than can be accommodated on a single form, an additional
form may be requested from the town clerk. Blank affidavit forms shall not be
photocopied or otherwise reproduced. The town clerk shall, within 24 hours of
receipt, submit the affidavit to the registrars of voters, who shall, within 5 working
days, certify thereon the number of signatures which are names of registered voters
of the town.

(ii)

The town clerk shall, within 5 business days following said certification, make
available to the lead petitioner, as designated on the affidavit, copies of petition
blanks containing the number of signatures required below, multiplied by 5,
demanding such recall, copies of which printed forms the town clerk shall keep
available. Such blanks shall be issued by the town clerk, with signature and official
seal attached thereto. They shall be dated, shall be addressed to the select board
and shall contain the names of the lead petitioner and the voter first named on each
of the precinct affidavits, the number of blanks so issued, the name of the person
whose recall is sought appearing as registered on the current voter list, the office
from which removal is sought, the grounds of recall as stated in the affidavit, and
shall demand the election of a successor in the said office. A copy of the petition
shall be entered in a record book to be kept in the office of the town clerk. Blank
recall petitions shall not be photocopied or reproduced. Said recall petition shall be
returned and filed with the town clerk within 20 days after the completion of the
copies of the petition blanks, and shall have been signed by at least 15 per cent of
the registered voters of the town as of the date of the most recent town election.

[Amended by Acts of 2020, Ch. 164, approved 8-25-2020]

The town clerk shall, within 24 hours of receipt, submit the petition to
the registrars of voters in the town, and the registrars shall, within 5
working days, certify thereon the number of signatures which are
names of registered voters of the town.

(c)

Recall Election. If the petition shall be found and certified by the board of registrars to be
sufficient, the town clerk shall submit the same with a letter of notice to the select board

within 5 working days, and the select board shall, within 5 working days, give written notice
of the receipt of the petition to the officer sought to be recalled and shall, if the officer does
not resign within 5 days thereafter, forthwith order an election to be held on a date fixed by
them not less than 60 and not more than 90 days after the date the election is called;
provided, however, that if any other town election is to occur within 100 days after the date
of said certificate, the select board shall postpone the holding of the recall election to the
date of such other election. If a vacancy occurs in said office after a recall election has
been ordered, the election shall not proceed as provided in this section and notice shall be
provided of the cancellation on the town's website, be posted in such locations as would
the warrant for a town meeting, and through whatever other means the select board
deems appropriate.

[Amended Acts of 2012, Ch. 73, approved 4-18-2012; Acts of 2020, Ch. 164, approved
8-25-2020]

(d)

Office Holder. The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of the office until the
recall election. If said incumbent is not removed, the incumbent shall continue in office for
the remainder of the unexpired term subject to recall as before. If recalled, the officer shall
be deemed removed and the office vacant. The vacancy created thereby shall be filled in
accordance with General Law, Chapter 41.

(e)

Ballot Proposition. Ballots used in a recall election shall submit the following propositions
in the order indicated:

The form of the question to be voted upon shall be substantially as follows: "Shall
[here insert the name and title of the elective officer whose recall is sought] be
recalled?"

If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of recall is in the affirmative, such
elected officer shall be recalled.

(f)

Repeat of Recall. In the case of an officer subjected to a recall election and not recalled
thereby, no recall petition shall be filed against such officer until at least one year after the
election at which the officer's recall was submitted to the voters of the town.

[Amended Acts of 2012, Ch. 73, approved 4-18-2012]

(g)

Office Holder Recalled. No person who has been recalled from an office or who has
resigned from office after the filing off a recall petition under subsection (b)(ii) of section
3-12, shall be appointed to any town office within two years after such recall or such
resignation.

Danvers https://www.danversma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/256/Town-Bylaws-PDF
None
Dartmouth https://ecode360.com/DA3629/home
Recall of Elected Town Officials - That an affidavit signed by at least 2000 registered Voters,
including 15 from each precinct, be filed with the Town Clerk containing the name and title of the
Elected Town Official whose removal is sought.

If the affidavit is determined to be valid, the Town Clerk shall thereupon deliver to the first 10
names on the affidavit a blank petition form to be used for the collection of petition signatures.
The petitions forms must be returned to the Town Clerk within 20 days of their issuance and
must contain the signatures of at least 20% of the number of persons registered to vote as of
the date of the most recent Town election.
If the petition is determined to be valid, provision shall be made for a special recall election to be
held within 90 days but no sooner than 65 days thereafter, except in the event that a regular
Town election or other special election shall be held within 110 days, in which case the recall
election shall be held concurrently.
Ballots used in a recall election shall ask if the Elected Town Official named shall be recalled
and shall provide the names of candidates seeking the office of the Official recalled. An Official
whose recall is sought shall not be a candidate to succeed to the office in the event the recall
vote is in the affirmative. The nomination of other candidates, the publication of the warrant for
the recall election and the conduct of the same shall all be in accordance with the provisions of
this Charter and general laws regulating elections.
If the votes cast upon the question of recall is in the affirmative, the candidate receiving the
highest number of votes shall be declared elected and shall serve the balance of the unexpired
term, provided that at least 20% of those persons registered to vote at the time of the election
shall have voted with respect to the question of the recall. If the Official is recalled, he shall be
deemed removed from office upon certification of the election results.
No recall petitions shall be filed against Official during the first six months of their term or during
the final six months of their term, or in the case of an Official subject to a recall election and not
recalled thereby, until at least 6 months after the recall election.

Dedham https://ecode360.com/DE3083/home
SECTION 3-13
Recall of Elected Officials

Who Can be Recalled — Any holder of an elective town office, as defined in
subsection (a) of section 3-1, with more than 6 months remaining in the term for
which that person was elected, may be recalled therefrom by the voters as herein
provided.

(b)

Recall Petition

(1)

Affidavit — Any 250 voters may file with the town clerk an affidavit signed
under the penalties of perjury bearing the name and office of the officer
sought to be recalled and a statement of the grounds for recall. An affidavit
shall contain the names of at least 25 voters from each district into which the
town is divided, and shall specify thereon who shall be considered the "lead
petitioner" and who shall be understood to be the "first 10 voters" signing the
affidavit for the purposes of the recall process. If, within 3 days following such
submission, the affidavits are found by the board of registrars of voters to be
sufficient and valid and, if on that date the candidate whose recall is sought
has at least 6 months remaining on the term for which the officer elected, the
town clerk shall, without delay, make available at the town clerk's office to the
first 10 voters on the affidavit, copies of petition blanks demanding such
recall. Such printed forms shall be kept available.

(2)

Petition Form — When issued, the petition blanks shall contain a facsimile of
the signature of the town clerk and official seal of the town. The petition
blanks shall be dated, shall be addressed to the select board and shall

contain the names of the first 10 voters on the affidavit filed under paragraph
(1) of subsection (b), the name and office of the person whose recall is
sought, the grounds for recall as stated in the affidavit and shall demand the
election of a successor to the office. No copies of petition blanks shall be
made by the first 10 signers or others circulating petitions for signatures. A
copy of the petition blank shall be entered in a record book to be kept in the
office of town clerk.

(3)

Petition Signature Requirements — The recall petitions shall be returned and
filed with the town clerk within 21 days following the date the petition blanks
are made available in the clerk's office and shall have been signed by at least
10 per cent of the voters eligible to vote as of the most recent regular annual
election, not more than 25 per cent of which shall be voters in any 1 district
into which the town is divided. In signing such petitions, voters shall add to
their signatures the street and number, if any, of their residences.

The town clerk shall within 1 day of receipt, submit the petition to the board of
registrars of voters, who shall forthwith, but in no event more than 5 days after
receipt, certify thereon the number of signatures that are the names of voters.

[Amended by Ch. 63 of the Acts of 2023, approved 11-8-2023]

(c)

Select Board's Action on Receiving Petition — If the petition shall be found and
certified by the board of registrars of voters to be sufficient, the registrars shall
submit the same with their certificate to the select board without delay, and the

select board shall meet forthwith at a properly posted meeting, in accordance with
the open meeting law, to give written notice of the receipt of the certificate to the
officer sought to be recalled and shall, if the officer does not resign within 5 days
after written notice has been provided, order an election to be held on a date not
less than 60 days nor more than 75 days from the date the select board calls for
such election; provided, however, that if another town election is to occur within 90
days after the date of the certificate, the select board shall postpone the holding of
the recall election to the date of such other election and the question of recall may
appear on the ballot at that election. If a vacancy occurs in the office after a recall
election has been ordered, the election shall nevertheless proceed as provided in
this section.

[Amended by Ch. 63 of the Acts of 2023, approved 11-8-2023]

(d)

Nomination of Candidates — The officer whose recall is sought may be a
candidate at the recall election, and unless such officer has resigned the office or
requests otherwise in writing, the town clerk shall place the officer's name on the
official ballots without nomination. The nomination of other candidates, the
publication of the warrant for the recall election, and the conduct of the same, shall
all be in accordance with the provisions of law relating to elections, unless
otherwise provided in this section.

(e)

Incumbent Holds Office Until Election — The incumbent shall continue to perform
the duties of the office until the recall election. If not then recalled, such person
shall continue in office for the remainder of the unexpired term, subject to recall as
before, except as provided in this Section 3-13. If recalled, such person shall be
deemed removed.

(f)

Recall Election — Ballots used in a recall election shall include the following
propositions in the order specified:

For the recall of (name), (office)

Against the recall of (name), (office)

Below the propositions shall be a list of the names of all candidates nominated as
hereinbefore provided, arranged as provided in subsection (e) of section 3-1, with
instructions that shall aid the voter. If the number of votes in favor of the recall is
in the majority, then the officer shall be deemed recalled, the votes cast for each
of the candidates counted and the candidate receiving the highest number of
votes declared elected for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the number of
votes against the recall is in the majority, the incumbent shall not have been
recalled and the votes for candidates shall not be counted. If such successor
shall fail to qualify within 14 days after receiving notification of election, the office
shall be deemed to be vacant and shall be filled in the manner provided in
subsection (i) of section 3-1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
paragraph, if fewer than 20 per cent of the voters eligible to vote in the recall
election participate at such election, no votes need be counted and the election
shall be deemed not to have recalled the incumbent.

(g)

Repeat of Recall Petition — No recall petition shall be filed against an officer within
6 months after taking office, nor, in the case of an officer subjected to a recall
election and not recalled thereby, until at least 6 months after the election at which
the recall was submitted to the voters.

(h)

Appointment of Person Recalled — No person who has been recalled from an
office, or who has resigned from office while recall proceedings were pending
against that person, shall be appointed to any town office within 2 years after such
recall or such resignation. Resignation at any time after a recall affidavit has been
certified by the board of registrars of voters as being valid shall be deemed to be
while recall proceedings were pending.
Falmouth https://ecode360.com/FA1385/home
Charter:
§ C6-10
Recall of elective officeholders.

A.
Any elected officeholder, except Town Meeting members, may be recalled by the
voters as herein provided.

B.

One hundred (100) registered voters of the Town may file with the Town Clerk an
affidavit containing the name of the officeholder sought to be recalled and a
statement of the grounds for recall; provided, however, that not more than
twenty-five (25) names shall be from any one (1) precinct of the Town.

C.

The Town Clerk shall within one (1) working day of receipt submit the affidavit to
the Board of Registrars in the Town, and the Registrars shall within fourteen (14)
days certify thereon the signatures which are names of registered voters. If the
affidavit shall be found and certified by the Board of Registrars to be sufficient, the
Town Clerk shall thereupon deliver to the ten (10) voters first named on such
affidavit a sufficient number of copies of petition blanks demanding such recall,
printed forms which shall be kept available. The blanks when issued shall be
signed by the Town Clerk and shall have the Official Seal attached thereto. They
shall be dated and addressed to the Select Board and shall contain the names of
the ten (10) persons to whom they are issued, the number of petitions to be issued,
the name of the officeholder whose recall is sought, the grounds for recall as
stated in the affidavit and shall require the election of a successor to such office.

[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]

D.

The recall petition shall bear the signatures and residential addresses of at least
fifteen percent (15%) of the registered voters, no more than twenty-five percent
(25%) of which shall be from any one (1) precinct, and shall be returned to the
Town Clerk within twenty (20) working days after the filing of the affidavit. The
petitions containing the signatures requesting a recall election need not all be
submitted at the same time.

E.

The Town Clerk shall within one (1) working day of receipt submit the petition to the
Board of Registrars in the Town, and the Registrars shall within fourteen (14)
working days certify thereon the number of signatures which are names of
registered voters.

[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]

F.

If the petition shall be found and certified by the Board of Registrars to be
sufficient, the Town Clerk shall submit the same with a certificate so stating to the
Select Board. The Select Board shall, within three (3) working days, give written
notice by registered mail of the receipt of the certificate to the officeholder sought
to be recalled.

[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]

G.

Unless the officeholder shall have resigned within five (5) days thereafter, the
Select Board shall order a special election to be held on a date fixed by them,
which shall be not less than sixty (60) nor more than eighty (80) days after the date
of the Town Clerk's certificate that a sufficient petition has been filed; provided,
however, that if any other Town election is to occur within ninety (90) days after the
date of the certificate, the Select Board shall postpone the holding of the special
election to the date of such other election.

[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]

H.

Any officeholder sought to be removed may not be a candidate to succeed himself
in the recall election. The nomination of candidates, the publication of the warrant
for the recall election and the conduct of the same shall all be in accordance with
the provisions of General Laws relating to elections, and the election to replace the
officeholder sought to be removed shall be held on the same day and on the same
ballot as the recall election.

I.

The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of office until the recall election.
If not recalled, the incumbent shall continue in office for the remainder of the
unexpired term. An incumbent having successfully survived a recall election shall
not again be subject to recall until six (6) months after such survival. If recalled, the
incumbent shall be deemed removed upon the certification of the successor who
shall hold office during the unexpired term. If the successor fails to qualify within
five (5) days after receiving notification of election, the incumbent shall thereupon
be deemed removed and the office vacant.

J.

The form of the question to be voted upon shall be substantially as follows: "Shall
[here insert the name and title of the elective officer whose recall is sought] be
recalled?" The action of the voters to recall shall require a majority vote, but shall
not be effective unless the total of those voting for and against recall shall exceed
twenty percent (20%) of the registered voters of the Town.

K.

No person, having been removed from office by recall or having resigned from
office while recall proceedings were pending against him, shall be appointed to any
Town office within two (2) years following said removal or resignation.

Bylaw:

C6-10
Recall of elective officeholders.
A Special Town Meeting may be called by the Select Board or shall be called by
said Board upon the request, in writing, of at least two hundred (200) registered
voters of the Town.
[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]
B.
By written petition to the Select Board, any ten (10) voters of the Town may secure
the inclusion of an article for the warrants of the Annual Town Meeting in the spring
and the regular Fall Town Meeting, provided that such petition shall be submitted in
compliance with the requirements established by bylaw.
[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]
C.
By written petition to the Select Board, any one hundred (100) voters may secure
the inclusion of an article for the warrant of any Special Town Meeting, provided
that such petition shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days in advance of the date
of such meeting.
[Amended ATE 5-19-2020, Question 3]
D.
The Board may waive the requirements set forth in Subsection C.

Holbrook https://www.holbrookma.gov/221/Bylaws-Policies-Procedures
None
Lexington https://ecode360.com/LE1818/home
None
Ludlow https://library.municode.com/ma/ludlow/codes/code_of_ordinances
None
Milford https://www.milfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/297/Town-of-Milford-By-Laws-PDF
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR RECALL ELECTIONS IN THE TOWN OF MILFORD Be it enacted,
etc., as follows: SECTION 1. Any holder of an elected office in the town of Milford may be
recalled therefrom by the qualified voters of the town as hereinafter provided. SECTION 2. Any
ten qualified voters of the town of Milford may initiate a recall petition by filing with the town clerk
an affidavit containing the name of the officer sought to be recalled and a statement of the
grounds of recall. Said town clerk shall thereupon deliver to the voters making such affidavit
sufficient number of copies of petition blanks demanding such recall, printed forms of which he
shall keep on hand. The blanks shall be issued by the town clerk with his signature and official
seal attached thereto; they shall be dated and addressed to the Select Board and shall contain
the names of all persons to whom issued, the number of blanks so issued, the name of the
persons sought to be recalled, the grounds of recall as stated in the affidavit, and shall demand
the election of a successor to such office. A copy of the petition shall be entered in a record
book to be kept in the office of the town clerk. Said recall petition shall be returned and filed with
the town clerk within twenty days after filing of the affidavit and shall be signed by twenty
percent of the qualified voters in said town. To every signature shall be added the place of
residence of the signer, giving street and number. The said recall petition shall be submitted at
or before three o’clock P.M. on the Friday preceding the day on which it must be filed, to the
registrars of voters in said town, and the registrars shall forthwith certify thereon the number of
signatures which are names of voters of said town.

SECTION 3. If the petition shall be found and certified by said town clerk to be sufficient, he
shall submit the same with his certificate to said Select Board without delay and said Select
Board shall forthwith give written notice to the officer of the receipt of said certificate and shall, if
the officer sought to be recalled does not resign within five days thereafter, thereupon order an
election to be held on a date fixed by time, not less than sixty days and not more than ninety
days after the date of the town clerk’s certificate that a sufficient petition is filed; provided,
however, that if any other town election is to occur within one hundred days after the date of
said certificate, said Select Board may, in their discretion, postpone the holding of said recall
election to the date of such other election. If a vacancy occurs in said office after a recall
election has been so ordered, the election shall nevertheless proceed as in this section
provided. SECTION 4. Any officer sought to be recalled may be a candidate to succeed himself
and, unless he requires otherwise in writing, the town clerk shall place his name on the ballot
without nomination. The nomination of other candidates, the publication of the warrant for the
recall election, and the conduct of the 10 same, shall all be in accordance with the provisions of
law relating to elections, unless otherwise provided by this Act. SECTION 5. The incumbent
shall continue to perform the duties of his office until the recall election. If then re-elected, he
shall continue in the office for the remainder of his unexpired term, subject to recall as before,
except as provided in this Act. If not re-elected in the recall election, he shall be deemed
removed upon the qualification of his successor, who shall hold office during the unexpired term.
If the successor fails to qualify within five days after receiving notification of his election, the
incumbent shall thereupon be deemed removed and the office vacant.
SECTION 6. Ballots used in a recall election shall submit the following propositions in the order
indicated: For the recall of (name of officer), Against the recall of (name of officer). Immediately
at the right of each proposition, there shall be a square tin which the voter, by making a cross
mark (X), may vote for either of the said propositions. Under the proposition shall appear the
word “Candidates”, the directions to voters required by section forty-two of chapter fifty-four of
the General Laws, beneath this the names of candidates nominated as hereinbefore provided. If
a majority of the votes cast upon the question of recall is in the affirmative, the candidate
receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected; provided that at least
twenty-five percent of those entitled to vote in the election shall have voted. If a majority of votes
on the question is in the negative, the ballot for candidates need not be counted. SECTION 7.
No recall petition shall be filed against an officer within six months after he takes office, nor, in
the case of an officer subject to a recall election and non recalled thereby, until at least six
months after the election at which his recall has submitted to the voters. No person who has

been removed from an office or who has resigned from office while recall proceedings were
pending against him, shall be appointed to any town office within two years after such removal
or such resignation.

Milton https://ecode360.com/MI3881/home
None
Montague https://montague-ma.gov/p/265/Montague-Town-ByLaws
None
Natick https://www.natickma.gov/681/Town-Charter-Bylaws
(h) Recall (1) Application - With the exception of town meeting members and trustees of the
Morse Institute, any person who holds an elected town office, with more than six months
remaining of the term of office, may be recalled from office by the voters, in the manner provided
in this section. (2) Recall Petitions - One hundred and fifty or more voters may file with the town
clerk an affidavit containing the name of the officer whose recall is sought and a statement of
the grounds for recall. The signatures on such petitions shall contain the names of at least ten
voters in each of the precincts into which the town is divided for the purpose of electing town
meeting members. If the said petition is found to be valid, the town clerk shall thereupon deliver
to the ten persons first named on such petitions, petition blanks demanding said recall, printed
forms of which he shall keep available. The blanks may be completed by printing or typewriting;
they shall be addressed to the Select Board; they shall contain the names of the ten persons to
whom they are issued and the grounds for recall as stated in the affidavit; they shall demand the
election of a successor to the office; they shall be dated and signed by the town clerk. The recall
petitions shall be returned to the office of the town clerk within twenty days following the date
they are issued, signed by at least fifteen per cent of the total number of persons registered to
vote as of the date of the most recent town election. The town clerk shall, within twenty-four
hours following such filing with him, submit the petitions to the board of registrars of voters
which shall, within five days thereafter, certify thereon the number of signatures which are the

names of voters. (3) Recall Elections - If the petitions shall be certified by the registrars of voters
to be sufficient, the town clerk shall forthwith submit the same with his certificate to the Select
Board. Upon its receipt of the certified petition, the Select Board shall forthwith give notice, in
writing, of said petition to the officer whose recall is sought. If said officer does not resign his
office within five days following delivery of the said notice, the Select Board shall order a special
election to be held not less than thirty-five nor more than sixty days after the date of certification
of the town clerk that the petition is sufficient. If a vacancy occurs in the office after a recall
election has been ordered, the election shall nevertheless proceed as provided in this section,
but only the ballots for candidates need be counted. (4) Nomination of Candidates - An officer
whose recall is sought may not be a candidate to succeed himself in the event the vote on the
question of recall is in the affirmative. The number of signatures of voters required to place the
name of a candidate on the official ballot for use at a recall election shall be not less than fifty;
no preliminary election shall be held. The publication of the warrant for the recall election and
the conduct of the recall election shall be in accordance with the general laws regulating
elections. (5) Propositions on the Ballot - Ballots used at the recall election shall state the
proposition in the order indicated: For the recall of (Name of officer) Against the recall of (Name
of officer) Adjacent to each proposition shall be a place to vote for either of said propositions.
After the said proposition shall appear the word "candidates" and the names of candidates
arranged alphabetically. If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition is against the recall, the
votes for candidates need not be counted. If a majority of the votes cast is in favor of the recall,
and provided at least twenty per cent of the total number of voters as of the date of the most
recent town election have participated at such recall election, the officer shall be deemed to be
recalled and the ballots for candidates shall then be counted and the candidate receiving the
highest number of votes shall be declared elected. (6) Officeholder - The incumbent shall
continue to hold his office and to perform his duties until the recall election. If he is not then
recalled, he shall continue in office for the remainder of his unexpired term, subject to recall as
provided in section (7) below. (7) Repeat of Recall Petition - No recall shall be filed against an
officer within six months after he takes office, or in the case of an officer subjected to a recall
election and not recalled thereby, until at least six months after the election at which his recall
was submitted to the voters.

Needham https://www.needhamma.gov/686/Town-Bylaws
None

Norwood https://www.norwoodma.gov/government/town_charter_and_by-laws/index.php
None
Plymouth https://ecode360.com/PL1710/home

Section 6

Recall of Town Wide Elected Officeholders
5-6-1
Voters may recall any elected townwide officeholder as herein provided.

5-6-2

An initial petition signed by not less than 250 registered voters of the town may be filed
with the town Clerk containing the name of the officeholder sought to be recalled and a
statement of the grounds for recall. Not more than 25 names shall be counted from any 1
precinct of the town. One voter shall be identified as the "lead petitioner".

5-6-3

The town clerk shall thereupon prepare recall petition blanks and notify the lead petitioner
that a sufficient number of such blanks may be picked up at the town clerk's office
containing the number of signature lines required, plus at least 2/5ths more. The town
clerk shall sign and affix the official seal to the recall petition blanks that are issued. The
recall petition blanks shall be dated and addressed to the select board, demanding the
election of a successor to such office. The recall petition blanks shall contain the name

and office of the officeholder whose recall is sought, and the grounds for recall as stated in
the initial petition.

5-6-4

The town clerk shall enter a copy of the recall petition in the town records. The recall
petition shall bear the signatures and residential addresses of not less than 15 per cent of
the registered voters as of the date of the most recent annual town election and shall be
returned to the town clerk within 30 calendar days after the notification to the lead
petitioner of the availability of the recall petitions. All completed recall petitions containing
the signatures requesting a recall election need not be submitted simultaneously.

5-6-5

The town clerk shall submit the recall petition to the board of registrars of voters within 1
business day of receipt. The registrars of voters shall certify thereon the number of
signatures which represent registered voters within 7 business days.

5-6-6

If the recall petition is certified as sufficient by the board of registrars of voters, the town
clerk shall, within 5 business days, submit the certificate so stating to the select board and
shall serve written notice of the receipt of the certificate to the officeholder sought to be
recalled.

5-6-7

If the officeholder does not resign within 5 business days after being served with the
notice, the select board shall order a special election to be held on a date fixed by them,
which shall be not less than 64 days nor more than 80 days from the date of the select
board's vote to call for the election; provided, however, that if any other town election is to
occur within 100 days after the select board's vote to call for the election, the select board

shall postpone the holding of the special election to the date of such other election and the
question of recall shall appear on the ballot at such other election. If a vacancy occurs in
said office after a recall election has been ordered, the election shall nevertheless
proceed.

5-6-8

An officeholder sought to be removed may be a candidate at the recall election and,
unless such officeholder requests otherwise in writing, the town clerk shall place the
officeholder's name on the ballot without nomination. The nomination of candidates, the
publication of the warrant for the recall election, and the conduct of the same, shall all be
in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws relating to elections unless
otherwise provided herein.

5-6-9

The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of office until the recall election. If not
recalled, the incumbent shall continue in office for the remainder of the unexpired term or
sooner vacating of office. An incumbent having successfully survived a recall election shall
not again be subject to recall during the same term of office. If recalled, the incumbent
shall be deemed removed upon the qualification of the successor who shall hold office for
the remainder of the unexpired term. If the successor fails to qualify within 10 business
days after receiving notification of election, the incumbent shall thereupon be deemed
removed and the office vacant.

5-6-10

The form of the question to be voted upon shall be substantially as follows: "Shall (here
insert the name and title of the elective officeholder whose recall is sought) be recalled?"
The action of the voters to recall shall require a majority vote. If the question of recall is not
approved as provided in this section, the votes for candidates shall not be counted.

5-6-11

No person, having been removed from office by recall or having resigned from office
following certification of names on an initial petition filed under section 5-6-2, shall be
appointed to any town office within 2 years following said removal or resignation.

Section 7

Recall of Representative Town Meeting Members
5-7-1
Representative town meeting members shall be subject to recall as generally provided in
section 6 of chapter 5 of this charter; provided, however, that the words "representative
town meeting member" shall be substituted for the word "officeholder" throughout section
6 of chapter 5 of this charter; provided further, in section 5-6-2 the number "100" shall be
substituted for the number "250" and that names submitted shall be those of registered
voters residing in the precinct of the intended recall election; provided further, that in
section 5-6-4, the recall petition shall include the signatures and residential addresses of
not less than 15 per cent of the registered voters residing in the precinct, and the words
"10 business days" shall be substituted for the words "20 business days"; provided further,
that in section 5-6-7 the words "special precinct election" shall be substituted for the words
"special election"; provided further, that in section 5-6-10 the words "of the precinct" shall
be substituted for the words "of the town"; and provided further, that any vacancy created
by a recall election shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of section 9 of Chapter
2 of this Charter.

Saugus https://www.saugus-ma.gov/184/Town-Clerk,
https://www.saugus-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/468/Town-Bylaws-January-2025-PDF,
https://www.saugus-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/469/Town-Charter-PDF
REMOVAL.

ARTICLE 2 SECTION 42. Holder of an Elective Office may be Removed. Any holder of an
elective office, except a town meeting member, may be removed therefrom by the registered
voters of the town as herein provided. (As amended by Ch. 104, Acts of 1979)
ARTICLE 2 SECTION 43. Removal Petition, Preparation, Filing. Any fifty registered voters of the
town may file with the town clerk a declaration of intent containing the name of the officer sought
to be removed from office. The town clerk shall, within five working days, deliver to said voters
making the declaration of intent, copies of petition blanks demanding such removal, printed
forms of which he shall make available. The blanks shall be issued by the town clerk with his
signature and official seal attached thereto. They shall be dated, addressed to the selectmen
and shall contain the names of the fifty persons to whom they are issued, the name of the
person whose removal is sought and shall demand the election of a successor in the said office.
A copy of the petition shall be entered in a record book to be kept in the office of the town clerk.
The removal petitions shall be returned and filed with the town clerk within twenty-five days after
the filing of the declaration of intent and shall have been signed by at least twenty-five per cent
of the registered voters of the town, who shall add to their signatures the street and number, if
any, of their residences. The town clerk shall immediately submit the petitions to the registrars of
voters of the town and the registrars shall forthwith certify thereon the number of signatures
which are names of registered voters of the town. (As amended by Ch. 104, Acts of 1979)
ARTICLE 2 SECTION 44. Removal and Election. If the petition shall be found and certified by
the town clerk to be sufficient, he shall submit the same with his certificate to the selectmen
immediately, and the selectmen shall, within five days, give written notice of the receipt of the
certificate to the officer sought to be removed and shall thereupon order an election to be held
on a Tuesday fixed by them, not less than twenty-five nor more than thirty-five days after the
date of the town clerk’s certificate that a sufficient petition is filed; provided, however, that if any
other town election is to occur within one hundred and twenty days after the certificate, the
selectmen shall postpone the holding of the removal election to the date of such other election.
If a vacancy occurs in said office after a removal election has been ordered, the election shall
nevertheless proceed as provided in this act. Any number of officers may stand for removal at
the same election. (As amended by Ch. 104, Acts of 1979)
ARTICLE 2 SECTION 45. Nomination of Candidates. The question of recalling any number of
officers may be submitted at the same election. But as to each officer whose recall is sought

there shall be a separate ballot. The nomination of candidates to succeed an officer whose
recall is sought, the publication of the warrant for the recall election, and the conduct of such
election, shall all be in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, with the exception
of chapter fifty-four A. (As amended by Ch. 79, Acts of 1951) ARTICLE 2 SECTION 46. Ballots.
Ballots used in a recall election shall submit the following propositions in the order indicated: For
the recall of (name of officer). Against the recall of (name of officer). Immediately at the right of
each proposition there shall be a square in which the voter, by making a cross mark (X), may
vote for either of the said propositions. (As amended by Ch. 79, Acts of 1951)

Shrewsbury
https://library.municode.com/ma/shrewsbury/codes/general_bylaws?nodeId=17044
None
South Hadley https://ecode360.com/SO1428
None
Stoughton https://ecode360.com/ST0743/home
§ C9-1
Holders of office may be recalled.
Any holder of an elective office may be recalled, and removed therefrom by the qualified voters
of the Town as herein provided.
§ C9-2
Recall; petition; preparation; filing.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
Any qualified voter of the Town may file with the Town Clerk an affidavit containing the name of
the officer sought to be recalled and a statement of the grounds of recall. The Town Clerk shall
thereupon deliver to the voter making such affidavit a sufficient number of copies of petition
blanks demanding such recall, printed forms of which they shall keep on hand. The blanks shall

be issued by the Town Clerk with their signature and official seal attached thereto; they shall be
dated and addressed to the Selectboard, shall contain the name of the person to whom issued,
the number of blanks so issued, the name of the person sought to be recalled, the grounds of
recall as stated in said affidavit, and shall demand the election of a successor to such office. A
copy of the petition shall be entered in a record book to be kept in the office of the Town Clerk.
The recall petition shall be returned and filed with the Town Clerk within twenty days after the
filing of the affidavit. Said petition before being returned and filed shall be signed by five percent
of registered voters, and to every signature shall be added the place of residence of the signer,
giving street and number. The recall petition shall be submitted by the Town Clerk at or before
4:30 o'clock in the afternoon of the day following the day on which it must be filed to the
Registrars of Voters in the Town, and the Registrars shall forthwith certify thereon the number of
signatures which are names of voters of the Town.
§ C9-3
Resignation of officer; election as to recall.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
If the petition shall be found and certified by the Town Clerk to be sufficient, they shall submit it
with their certificate to the Selectboard without delay. The Selectboard shall forthwith give
written notice to said officer of the receipt of said certificate and, if the officer sought to be
removed does not resign within five days, shall order an election to be held on a Tuesday fixed
by them not less than twenty-five days after the date of the Town Clerk's certificate that a
sufficient petition is filed. If any other Town election is to occur within sixty days after the date of
said certificate the Selectboard may, at their discretion, postpone the holding of the recall
election to the date of such other election. If a vacancy occurs in said office after a recall
election has been so ordered, the election shall nevertheless proceed as in this section
provided.
§ C9-4
Officer being recalled may be candidate.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
Any officer sought to be recalled may be a candidate to succeed themselves, and unless they
request otherwise in writing, the Town Clerk, shall place their name on the official ballot without
nomination. The nomination of other candidates, the publication of the warrant for the recall
election, and the conduct of the same shall be in accordance with the provisions of law relating
to elections, unless otherwise provided in this Charter.
§ C9-5

Incumbent to continue duties until recalled.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of their office until the recall election. If then
re-elected, they shall continue in office for the remainder of their unexpired term, subject to
recall as before, except as provided in § C9-7. If not re-elected in the recall election, they shall
be deemed removed upon the qualification of their successor, who shall hold office during the
unexpired term. If the successor fails to qualify within five days after receiving notification of their
election, the incumbent shall thereupon be deemed removed and the office vacant.
§ C9-6
Form of ballots for recall.
Ballots used in a recall election shall submit the following propositions in the order indicated:
For the recall of (name of officer).
Against the recall of (name of officer).
Under the proposition shall appear the word "Candidates" and the direction "Vote for one" and
beneath this the names of candidate(s); the candidate(s) receiving the greatest number of
votes shall be deemed elected.
§ C9-7
Limitations on petitions.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
No recall petition shall be filed against an officer within three months after they takes office, nor,
in the case of an office subjected to a recall election and not removed thereby, until at least
three months after that election.
§ C9-8
Prohibition against appointment of recalled officer.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
No person who has been recalled from an office or who has resigned from office while recall
proceedings were pending against them shall be appointed to any Town office within two years
after such removal by recall or resignation.

Swampscott https://www.swampscottma.gov/1564/Town-Charter-Bylaws
CHAPTER 4: RECALL Section 4-1. Process. This section providing for recall shall apply to all
elected town officials, regardless of length or term of office. (a) Recall action may be
commenced at any time after election to office, subject to the limitations in subsection (1);
provided however, that a recall shall not be initiated with respect to any elected official if there
are 3 months or less remaining in the term of office of the official sought to be recalled. (b) A
minimum of 25 registered voters may file an affidavit, signed under oath or before a notary
public, containing their signatures and setting forth the name and office of the elected official
sought to be recalled and the specific reasons for the recall. At the time of filing, 1 signer shall
be identified as the primary petitioner. (c) After the board of registrars of voters has verified that
at least 25 or more signatures on the affidavit are those of registered voters of the town, the
town clerk shall, within 5 days after receipt of the affidavit, issue to the primary petitioner petition
forms, in sufficient quantity, containing the name and office held by the elected official sought to
be recalled, the names and address of the first 10 signers of the petition, the specific reasons
for recall and the date and time that the petition forms were issued to the primary petitioner. (d)
Recall petition forms shall be returned and filed with the board of registrars of voters by not later
than 5:00 p.m. on the twentieth day following the date on which the town clerk has issued
petition forms; provided, however, that is such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the
petitions shall be filed on the next business day. The petitions so filed shall contain the
signatures of at least 15 per cent of the registered voters of the town, calculated as of the date
of the last town election. (e) The board of registrar of voters shall certify the validity of the
required number of signatures, increased by 1/5 thereof to the extent additional signatures have
been filed or submitted, with 5 days after the last day fixed for filing the petition forms. (f)
Immediately after the certification pursuant to subsection (e), the board of registrars of voters
shall order that written notice be given to the official sought to be recalled, such notice to be
served in hand on that official or otherwise by a town constable or other process server in hand
or at the elected official’s place of residence as shown on the official list of voters and set forth
the specific reasons given for the recall and shall also contain a statement advising the official
concerned of the official’s right to tender a written resignation to the town clerk within 7 calendar

days after service of the written notice as provided in this subsection. (g) If the official sought to
be recalled does not resign as provided in subsection (f), the Select Board shall forthwith set a
date for the recall election and the calling and conduct of the election shall be in accordance
with all General Laws relative to elections. (h) A recall election shall be held on a date not less
than 64 days or more than 90 days from the date the Select Board called for the recall election.
The polls shall be open for recall election voting during the same hours as they were set for the
most recent annual town election and the result shall be determined by a majority vote. In the
event that the annual town election is scheduled to take place within 100 days of the date on
which the board of registrars of voters certifies the recall petitions, the recall election shall be
postponed until the date of such annual town election and the recall election may, at the
discretion of the Select Board, appear on the ballot therefor or on a separate ballot. (i) If the
official sought to be recalled does not resign as provided in subsection (f), the official shall
continue to perform the duties of the official’s office until the recall election and shall, at the
official’s discretion appear on the ballot as a candidate for the office which is the subject of the
recall election by notifying the town clerk in writing of the same. The recall election shall take
place notwithstanding any vacancy occurring prior thereto. (j) The recall election ballot shall
contain 2 propositions in the order indicated: For the Recall of (Name of Official, Name of Office)
Against the Recall of (name of Official, Name of Office) (k) The recall election ballot shall also
contain the names of the candidates nominated as hereinbefore provided to fill a vacancy
resulting from a vote for recall. If recall is voted under subsection (j), the candidate receiving the
greatest number of votes shall be deemed elected, or reelected, to fill the remainder of the term
of office subject to the recall election. (l) A second recall against any elected town official shall
not be initiated until at least 6 months after the date of the first recall election.
Walpole https://ecode360.com/WA2756/home

Section 7-6
Recall of Elective Officers
Any elected officer of the Town who has held the office for not less than three (3) months and
has not less than one month remaining in his/her term, may be recalled and removed from
office by vote of the Town.

(1)

The three (3) months shall begin when the officer originally assumes the office and
shall not be repeated upon any consecutive re-election.

(2)

The provisions of paragraph (1) shall apply only to one who holds the same office
continuously.

(A)
Petitions

(1)

The Town Clerk shall keep petitions for recall with his/her signature and the Town
Seal available in his/her office.

(2)

A petition for recall election of a Town Meeting Representative containing the
representative's name and office together with the specific grounds for recall and the
signatures of 10% of the voters of the precinct he or she represents shall be filed
with the Town Clerk.

(3)

A petition for the recall election of any other officer containing the officer's name and
office, together with the specific grounds for the recall and the signatures of 10% of
the voters in the town with at least one hundred (100) voters from each precinct,
shall be filed with the Town Clerk, provided, however, such recall petition must be
filed with the Town Clerk within 60 days of the date the recall petition was initially
issued by the Town Clerk.
(B)
Validating the Petition and Setting the Date for the Recall Election.

(1)

The Town Clerk shall determine the validity of the petition and the signatures, and
make a report to the Select Board members within seven (7) days of the receipt of
the petition.

[Amended 10-21-2019 FATM, Art. 19]

(2)

Upon the favorable report of the Town Clerk, the Select Board mebers shall set the
date and call for a recall election.

[Amended 10-21-2019 FATM, Art. 19]

(3)

That election shall be held on a Saturday, no sooner than three (3) weeks from the
date of the Town Clerk's report and no later than five (5) weeks from the date of the
Town Clerk's report; but,

(4)

should there be a scheduled election within two (2) months of the Town Clerk's
report, the recall question may be submitted to that election.

(5)

If the officer whose recall is sought should submit his/her resignation before the
opening of the polls at which the recall question is to be submitted, the election shall
be canceled.

(6)

The form of the question to be voted upon shall be substantially as follows: "Shall
(here insert the name and title of the elected officer whose recall is sought) be
recalled?" A majority vote of the voters to recall such elective officer will determine
the question. Recall of such elective officer shall become effective upon certification
of the results of the voting therein, regardless of any defect in the recall petition. If
any elective officer shall be recalled, the vacancy created thereby shall be filled in
accordance with the provisions of this Charter and of General Law.

(7)

No person having been recalled or having resigned from office while recall
proceedings were pending against him or her shall be appointed to any Town office
or board within two (2) years following said recall or resignation.

Wellesley https://wellesleyma.gov/243/Town-Bylaws-Regulations
None
Winchester https://ecode360.com/WI4844/home

Section 7-13

Recall Procedures.
(a)
Application.Any holder of an elective office, as defined in Section 3-1(a), with more than
six months remaining in the term for which he was elected, may be recalled therefrom by
the voters in the manner provided in this section.

(b)

Recall Petition.Two hundred or more voters may file with the town clerk an affidavit
containing the name of the officer whose recall is sought and a statement of the grounds
upon which the petition is based. At least twenty-five names of voters shall be from each
of the eight precincts into which the town is divided. The town clerk shall thereupon deliver
to said voters petition blanks demanding such recall, printed forms of which he shall keep
available. The blanks shall be issued by the town clerk with his signature and official seal
attached thereto. They shall be dated; shall be addressed to the select board; shall contain
the names of all persons to whom they are issued, the name of the person whose recall is
sought, the grounds for recall as stated in the affidavit; and shall demand the election of a
successor to the said office. A copy of the affidavit shall be entered in a recordbook to be
kept in the office of the town clerk. The recall petitions shall be returned and filed with the
town clerk within twenty days following the date of the filing of the affidavit, signed by at
least fifteen percent of the voters and containing their names and addresses; provided,
however, that not more than twenty-five percent of the total number shall be from any one
precinct.

The town clerk shall, within twenty-four hours of receipt, submit the petitions to the
registrars of voters who shall forthwith certify thereon the number of signatures that are
names of voters.

(c)

Recall Election.If the petition shall be certified by the town clerk to be sufficient, he shall
forthwith submit the same with his certificate to the select board. Upon its receipt of the
certificate, the select board shall forthwith give written notice of such petition and
certificate to the officer whose recall is sought. If said officer does not resign his office
within five days after delivery of such notice, the select board shall order an election to be
held not less than thirty-five nor more than forty days after the date of the town clerk’s
certificate of the sufficient petition. If, however, any other town election is to occur within
sixty days after the date of the certificate, the select board shall hold the recall election on
the date of such other election. If a vacancy occurs in said office after a recall election has
been ordered, the election shall nevertheless proceed as provided in this section, and the
ballots for candidates shall, notwithstanding a recall provision to the contrary, be counted.

(d)

Nomination of Candidates.Any officer whose recall is sought may not be a candidate to
succeed himself in the recall election. The nomination of candidates, the publication of the
warrant for the recall election, and the conduct of same shall all be in accordance with the
provisions of law relating to elections, unless otherwise provided in this section.

(e)

Propositions on Ballot.Ballots used in a recall election shall state the following propositions
in the order indicated:

For the recall of (name of officer)

Against the recall of (name of officer)

Adjacent to each proposition, there shall be a place to vote for either of the said
propositions.

After the proposition shall appear the word “candidates” and the names of candidates
nominated as required in section 42 of chapter 54 of the General Laws. If a majority of
the votes cast upon the question of recall is in the affirmative, the candidate receiving
the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. If a majority of votes on the

question is in the negative, the ballots for candidates need not be counted, except as
provided in (c) above.

(f)

Officeholder.The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of his office until the recall
election. If he is not recalled in the election he shall continue in office for the remainder of
his unexpired term, subject to recall as before, except as provided in this section.

If he is recalled in the election, he shall be deemed removed upon the qualification of his
successor who shall hold office during the unexpired term. If the successor fails to qualify
within five days after receiving notification of his election, the incumbent shall thereupon
be deemed removed and the office vacant.

(g)

Repeat of Recall Petition.No recall petition shall be filed against an officer within three
months after he takes office, or in the case of an officer subjected to a recall election and
not recalled thereby, until at least six months after the election at which his recall was
submitted to the voters.[1]