Massachusetts: Town Clerk not overseeing signature certification against two Kingston Selectmen to avoid conflict of interest claims

Town Clerk Paul Gallagher has stepped away from the certification process of the recall against  Kingston Selectmen Chairman Josh Warren and Selectman Elaine Fiore.  Petitioners have handed in 2200 signatures in the recalls and Gallagher claims that he wants to avoid any conflict of interest issues.

The recall effort is over claims of a verbal aggressive attack on Selectman Jessica Kramer by a town employee and Warren's refusal to put the employee on leave. Petitioners are upset about taxes and are looking for them to fire the Town Administrator.

Petitioners need approximately 1987 signatures (20% of registered voters) to get on the ballot.

A third Selectman, Sandy MacFarlane, is up for an election, so she will not be facing a recall effort.

Kingston had a recall in 1991, with Board of Health member Larry Slot being kicked out.