EDDINGTON, Maine — A longtime member of the town’s Board of Selectmen who was the subject of a recall referendum on Tuesday has retained her seat in a 188-133 vote.
Joan Brooks, who has been on the board for nearly two decades — many of them as chairwoman — had been accused by some in the community of ethics violations.
James and Nichole McLeod, who live on Fox Lane and oppose a rock quarry planned by Hampden contractor Hughes Brothers, collected 116 signatures on a citizen petition enabling the recall to go forward.
The couple claimed that Brooks, who has been on the board for 19 years, violated local ethics rules in dealing with the quarry issue. Brooks scoffed at the accusations, saying last month that the McLeods are wrong and only provide “half of the information.”
“I’m delighted that 323 people [two voters turned in blank ballots] actually voted today,” Brooks said after the results were announced. “I am pleased to no end.”
BDN writer Nok-Noi Ricker contributed to this report.