SANFORD — Town Councilor Bradford Littlefield has been firmly behind a new charter commission, convinced it is time for an examination of how the town is governed. In fact, he’s the one who asked that the measure appear on the June 8 and Nov. 2 ballots.
But Littlefield might not be among those to serve on the panel. A move to appoint him to the position died Tuesday in a 3-3 vote, with Councilors Gordon Paul, Alan Walsh and Richard Wilkins voting against.
Littlefield on Wednesday charged that political maneuvering for the chairmanship and vice chairmanship of the council may have played a role in the votes against his appointment.
The council chairman and vice chairman are elected by their peers at an organizational meeting in January.
Littlefield said he is a candidate for the chairmanship and said vice chairman Gordon Paul is, too.
“I won’t comment on anything to do with the future,” said Paul when reached by phone Wednesday.
Littlefield also said Alan Walsh is running for vice chairman, but that could not be confirmed. Walsh did not return a telephone call seeking comment Wednesday.
Voters Nov. 2 elected five people to a charter commission after first approving the creation of the commission in the June primary. By law, councilors appoint three members, one of whom may be a councilor.
After approving Jonathan Mapes for one appointed charter slot, Tuesday, the appointment of Victor DiGregorio died in a 3-3 vote, with Wilkins, Littlefield and Anne Marie Mastraccio voting against.
The six councilors present then voted to postpone further appointments until January, with the proviso that other applicants appear before the council’s appointments subcommittee. Littlefield said that clause implies that he, as a councilor, should appear before the panel as well, though that was not spelled out in the motion.
Littlefield Wednesday said he won’t submit a written application for the charter spot though he first indicated he would Tuesday, but changed his mind after mulling the issue. He said he has no plans to appear before an appointments subcommittee of the council for an interview. He would be happy to answer questions asked by the council at a public session, he said, just as other candidates for appointed charter spots have done.
To submit a written application or appear before a subcommittee, he said Wednesday, would set a precedent, because no councilor has undergone such a review in the past.
“It has never been done before,” said Littlefield, pointing out that councilors are appointed to any number of committees and are qualified by virtue of their election as councilors by voters.
Paul, who acted as chairman in Joseph Hanslip’s absence Tuesday, said he voted against Littlefield’s appointment because Littlefield had not submitted a written application indicating his interest in the charter spot. Paul said the council had agreed to that measure in a prior meeting, likely on Dec. 7.
“We’ve had nothing in writing,” said Paul.
Littlefield said he doesn’t recall that specific provision. And, he pointed out, no other councilors have expressed interest in sitting on the charter commission.
— Contact Staff Writer Tammy Wells at 324-4444 or at twells@journaltribune.com.
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