Raymond residents voiced both support and criticism of their town’s Select Board chair and vice chair Tuesday during a packed public hearing on a recall election that could remove them from office. A lawyer, however, argued the election would be illegal because the town’s ordinance conflicts with state law.
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| Raymond Select Board chair Denis Morse, left, and Vice chair Kaela Gonzalez made statements during a public hearing on Tuesday about a recall petition to remove them from office, An election will be held in Raymond on Dec. 30 to determine if they will lose their seats on the select Board. PHOTO BY DINA MENDROS |
On Tuesday, Sadak detailed actions she said supported her claims, many tied to the board’s treatment of former Town Manager Joseph Crocker. Crocker, who resigned earlier this fall, had served as director of Parks and Recreation before becoming interim town manager in March and the permanent town manager in May. He continues part-time work on a special project for the town.
Glenn Michalowski, formerly Lisbon’s town manager, was appointed interim town manager on Nov. 18.
During the public hearing, Sadak accused Morse and Gonzalez of violating board protocols, citing emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request and accounts from staff. She said the two Select Board members berated Crocker over a septic issue at a church leased for town programs, their voices loud enough to be heard by staff and residents.
“How is that not denigrating,” she asked.
She also criticized Morse and Gonzalez for contacting staff, attorneys, and other town managers without board authorization. Raymond Select Board members Chris Hanson and Derek Ray acknowledged some of those actions occurred.
Letters entered into the record echoed support for the recall, including one from town staff members declaring “no confidence” in leadership and citing low morale. Crocker himself wrote a letter that constant questioning of his decisions from certain board members contributed to his resignation.
Despite the support for the recall, many Raymond residents defended Morse and Gonzalez during the public hearing, praising their efforts to address longstanding town issues and urging that Morse and Gonzalez not face a recall vote.
Morse’s attorney, Scott Dolan of Petruccelli, Martin & Haddow LLP, warned that he would sue if the recall election proceeds, arguing the town’s 2012 recall ordinance violates state law. He said that state statute allows for a recall only if an official is convicted of a crime committed during their term that victimized the municipality.
Dolan cited a similar case in the Town of Limerick earlier this year where a judge halted a recall vote saying that an election would violate state statute.
Raymond’s town’s attorney, Philip Saucier of Bernstein Shur, holds a different view, and Gonzalez said he should meet with Dolan to discuss what the town should do.
When given the chance to speak, Gonzalez, nearly in tears, said, “I love this town, I love the people in it. This is not going to change no matter the decision. I do believe in democracy, I will accept the results.”
She said that she never intended to push Crocker from the position of town manager.
Morse, a longtime volunteer and former fire chief, rejected Sadak’s allegations. He said his proposal to appoint an interim manager was meant to support Crocker through a difficult period.
“I actually admire Joe,” Morse said. “I’m proud to have done the things I’ve done for the town of Raymond.”
Morse was elected to the Raymond Select Board in 2023. Gonzalez, a former Raymond town employee, was elected to the Raymond Select Board in 2024. <
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