NEW VINEYARD — Voters on Thursday evening rejected proposals for two ordinances that would provide stricter standards of behavior for municipal officers and for their recall.

The 86 residents who packed Smith Hall were willing to listen, but many requested proof that selectmen had acted improperly while conducting the town’s affairs.

Voters turned down adopting a code of conduct ordinance, by a 38-48 vote. They also rejected, by 23-51, adopting a recall of municipal officials ordinance.

“What have any of the selectmen done to deserve a recall?” asked resident John Rollo.

Many of the those present agreed that they did not understand what any of the three selectmen had done to be relieved of their duties. 

Jon and Alyce Cavanaugh, proponents of the measures, offered examples of their dealings with selectmen. Alyce Cavanaugh said that she had presented some papers to Selectman Fay Adams and that Adams had thrown some on the floor and thrown others at her as she left the room. Alyce said that a town employee was a witness to the incident.

Jon Cavanaugh said officials were unhappy with them for taking a tax abatement appeal to the County Commission, successfully overturning selectmen’s decision three times.

The Cavanaughs had circulated petitions asking residents to adopt the ordinances and gathered twice the necessary number of signatures to request that selectmen schedule a time to address their concerns.

Jon Cavanaugh said he received an email from Selectman Doug Withey, who agreed to swear in moderator Gary Bestwick. Within hours, Jon Cavanaugh said, Withey withdrew his offer.

“They could have taken this illegal action at least a week ago to 10 days ago when the warrant was posted,” Cavanaugh said to the audience. “Behavior such as this only proves our need for a code of conduct and recall ordinances.”

Withey stood to address the audience as a private citizen and not as a selectman, saying that the town’s attorney, Frank Underkuffler, advised selectmen not to speak in an official capacity.

“However you feel about this, please know all three selectmen agreed on all the actions taken,” he said.

He said Underkuffler advised selectmen the meeting was not official, but was simply an assembly, and that votes cast would simply reflect a straw poll. Underkuffler also advised selectmen that the request to vote on ordinances did not constitute an emergency and could wait until the March town meeting.

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