Rep. Gentile Voices Opposition to Recall Bill In Select Board Update

State Representative Carmine Gentile and State Senator Jamie Eldridge joined the Sudbury Select Board during their June 30 meeting for their annual legislative update to the Board. While many topics were covered during the discussion, an exchange on H. 5521 (a bill that would establish recall elections in Sudbury) offered new context on the trajectory of the bill.

Both Gentile and Eldridge sponsored H. 5521 and presented it to the Legislature, but Gentile was unambiguous in stating that he did not support the bill.

During discussion, he compared Sudbury’s bill to a similar bill regarding recall elections in Danvers. He noted that the Danvers bill had a 20% signature threshold compared to Sudbury’s proposed 10% signature threshold to prompt a recall election. Another distinction he made involved the timing of recalls. He explained that the Sudbury version allows for recalls three months after an official is elected, while Danvers opted for six months.

The Danvers bill is scheduled for the same hearing as Sudbury’s recall bill on July 21. (Details here.)

Gentile told the Board “Frankly, I think this bill will get sent to study because of these elements, and other concerns that were noted in the statement the Select Board submitted and the League of Women Voters testified.”

When pressed by Select Board member Dan Carty if he supported the bill, Gentile said “I wouldn’t support it the way it is. I had over 7,000 people that voted for me, so I think the majority would want a much better piece of legislation.”

Senator Eldridge was also asked if he supported the bill, and he responded “I co-sponsored the bill and that’s what I’ve done to indicate my support for it. And I’m looking forward to the hearing.”

Gentile also cited concerns about how the Sudbury recall provision was crafted during his comments. It was the product of private citizens and was not a product of a charter review committee that goes through a public process with opportunities for broad public input. He said he felt the latter would be more prudent.