Senate Government Operations Committee backs H953 to add recall procedure to Penton charter

The Senate Government Operations Committee on May 19 accepted the House‑passed H953, an act approving charter amendments for the town of Penton that insert a recall process for elected town officers.

Tim Dinland, legislative counsel, summarized the bill for members, saying the act “authoriz[es] the amendments to be changed” and inserts a new charter section titled “recall of elected town officers.” He read the core requirement: “any elected town officer may be removed from office subject to the following conditions and procedures.” Dinland noted the town vote on the charter changes occurred May 15, 2025.

The bill sets a two‑step removal process. First, a written petition signed by not less than 15% of registered voters in the town triggers consideration; if petition timing is not aligned with an upcoming regular meeting, the select board must call a special town meeting to decide the recall. Second, an officer is removed only if a majority of votes cast at that meeting approve removal and at least as many registered voters approve the recall as voted to elect the officer in the most recent election, or at least one‑third of registered voters in the town, whichever is fewer. Dinland told members removal becomes effective upon certification of the vote results and proper canvass, after notification to the Secretary of State’s office.

Committee members pressed for practical context. One member noted that, in a small town, the 15% petition threshold can be a small number of signatures and pointed to an example town tally cited in committee discussion: 56 yes, 39 no and eight blank ballots. Another member said roughly 20 towns and seven waste and water districts use similar language.

A motion to accept the final House version of H953 without amendment was moved and seconded. The committee returned a favorable report in a roll‑call confirmation: Senators Cmore, White, Mosski, Morley and Clarkson signaled affirmative votes. Staff said a clean copy of the bill would be circulated and Dinland will provide section‑by‑section materials at the committee’s next meeting.

The committee recessed for a short break after the vote.