WEST PARIS – A recall ordinance workshop is scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 13, starting at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the Town Office on Kingsbury Street.

The workshop, which will be facilitated by town attorney Geoff Hole, is to give residents a chance to learn what such an ordinance is and ask any questions they may have.

A recall ordinance would make it possible for voters to remove a selectman from office if they felt he or she was not working in the best interest of the town. If voters decided to remove a selectman, a new election would be held to fill the vacancy.

The possibility of adding a town recall ordinance arose earlier this year when a citizen’s group requested that selectmen consider it. At that time Hole agreed to study the issue and present a proposed ordinance at a workshop. The selectmen also have been in contact with the Maine Municipal Association’s legal division about the issue.

As a result, people attending the workshop will see two possible ordinances they could consider if they feel a need for a recall option.

When recall advocate Sandra Poland met with selectmen Thursday, she explained that her group feels adding a recall ordinance would give greater control to the people and give them a stronger say in how their town is run.

“The power held by the citizens ceases to exist after an election takes place,” said Poland. “But if they have the power of recall, the power of the citizens will still be in place,”

She said she hopes there will be a good turnout at the workshop due to the importance of the issue being considered.

“We strongly urge citizens of the town to attend this meeting as it’s very important for them to understand what a recall ordinance means and how it would be written,” she said.

Copy the Story Link