Woman Behind Selectmen Recall Asked To Appear In Front Of Board

STOUGHTON, MA — The woman behind the effort to recall three members of the Stoughton Board of Selectmen has been asked to appear in front of the board and explain the charges against them.

Tuesday night, Selectman Peter Brown asked Chairman David Sousa to send a letter to organizer Deborah Sovinee to ask to come to the board’s Aug. 29 meeting.

“I think it's a great opportunity to hear the charges and for her to present them. I think we should draft a letter and have the opportunity for the residents to hear the charges,” Brown said. “We’re looking at a recall, let’s not pretend it’s not happening.”

Brown added that he would also like an executive session to discuss the recall.

After Brown stated that the board had the ability to subpoena Sovinne if she refuses to show up, resident Patricia Colburn accused the board of threatening Sovinne.

“You’re threatening to subpoena a citizen for performing her civil rights. This is a big thing to throw at five of 10 p.m,” she said.

The recall effort against Brown, Sousa, and Selectman Robert Cohn is focused on their vote to appoint an interim town manager and the ousting of former Town Manager Michael Hartman. The three are charged with failing to uphold the town charter and laws of the Commonwealth, failing to properly evaluate the town manager, refusing to allow public comment and treating the public and other board members with disrespect, and exposing the Town to liability.

Wednesday, on the “Citizens Against The Recall” Facebook page, Brown said Colburn “inappropriately, unprofessionally and ever so rudely rushed to the microphone, disrupted the decorum of an official meeting and created a hostile takeover,” when she went up to the microphone.

He also called for the recall petition to be withdrawn and start the healing process.

Image via SMAC