ANDOVER – Selectmen will hold a special town meeting July 14 for a second attempted recall of board Chairman Susan Merrow.

That was decided by Selectmen Keith Farrington and Trudy Akers on Wednesday afternoon following a contentious special board meeting.

Merrow, who was elected to a three-year term in March 2008, survived the first recall attempt by 26 votes in November 2008. The tally was 289-263.

On May 19, selectmen received another recall petition signed by many of the same people who sought the first recall.

Reasons stated on the petition for Merrow’s potential ousting are: neglect to perform duties of office, conflict of interest and behavior unbecoming a public official.

According to taped minutes from Wednesday’s meeting, Farrington said selectmen would also hold a public hearing.

Merrow was not allowed to run the meeting, but she was allowed to speak.

“Right now, I’m in a position where I have to defend myself on crimes and accusations that I haven’t committed,” Merrow said. “Nobody has to prove what I’ve done, but I have to run around proving that I haven’t done anything.”

That’s why she and her husband, Kevin Scott, briefly lobbied Farrington and Akers to refuse to accept the petition.

That, Merrow argued, would prompt petitioners to try to override the refusal by seeking a warrant from a notary public and a municipal judge.

Farrington objected, saying it would involve lawyers and would cost the town money. Akers agreed.

Resident Don Wardwell disagreed, arguing that the petitions and recall attempts were harassment. Without identifying them, Akers defended the petitioners. She said they had a right to file.

“I’m not saying I support it,” she said. “I like working with Susan. She’s a good person.”

When recognized, Scott argued that the second attempt fit the unreasonable criteria needed to make selectmen refuse the petition. He alluded to possible legal action if they didn’t, prompting a lengthy verbal spat.

Farrington said he didn’t like being threatened with lawyers.

Scott said it wasn’t a threat. He was merely making a point.

“You want to know who’s been threatened? The woman at the end of the table,” Scott said of his wife.

“Let’s assume she wins the election.”

“Good, then that’s the end of it,” Akers interrupted.

“Oh? That’s the end of it?” Scott asked. “What happened to the last recall she won? Was that the end of it?”

He tried to continue speaking, but was repeatedly interrupted by people trying to shut him up.

“Well, I thank you for being rude and obnoxious to me,” Scott said, before a woman interrupted, shouting, “Well, nobody can possibly be as rude and obnoxious as you can, Kevin.”

More interruptions and outbursts followed.

“Let’s just do it and get it over with,” Farrington said.

“I wonder if you would feel that way if it was you under recall,” Scott said.

“Yes, I would! Have at it,” Farrington yelled back at him.

“Don’t tell me to have at it, my friend,” Scott said, raising his voice to match Farrington’s.

“No! No! If the people want to recall me, I’m all for it!” Farrington yelled.

“Who would do that?” Scott said as someone yelled his name to silence him.

“I might speak out of turn, but I’m not ignorant,” Scott replied.

Merrow pleaded with him to stop, which he did, allowing Farrington to regain control.

After more discussion, Akers, overcome by emotion, said she’d known everyone in the room and had been friends with them for a long time.

“This isn’t something I want to do,” she said. “It’s something I feel is my duty to do.”