Low Turnout Predicted For Stoughton Recall Election

STOUGHTON, MA — Despite packed selectmen meetings over the summer, feverous online debate, and contentious moments, Tuesday's special recall election may not draw a big crowd.

Stoughton Town Clerk Amy Akell told Stoughton Patch that she's predicting a turnout of 10 percent. As of Thursday, her office has received only 168 absentee ballot requests.

Selectmen David Sousa, Robert Cohn, and Peter Brown are the targets of the recall effort. The affidavit calling for their removal reads that the men failed to uphold the town charter and laws of the Commonwealth, failed to properly evaluate the town manager, refused to allow public comment and treated the public and other board members with disrespect, and exposed the Town to liability.

The recall effort gained steam following the ousting of former Town Manager Michael Hartman, who was told in December that his contract would not be renewed after it expired on June 30. A Norfolk Superior Court judge recently ruled that the six-months notice was sufficient and the formal discharge hearing laid out in the town charter was not necessary.

The polls Tuesday will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots can be requested and returned until Monday at noon.