Acton Council Member Recalled

An outspoken member of the Acton Town Council has been ousted in a recall election organized by critics who claimed he could not serve on the advisory body while he is publisher of a local newspaper.

Acton residents on Saturday voted 483 to 325 to recall Charles Brink, 51, who has served on the nine-member council since its formation in 1989. Leaders of the recall drive said Brink divided the community with inflammatory articles in his weekly Acton Vanguard News.

“We have gotten rid of a man who has done a lot of harm and split the community of Acton,” said Herb Olmstead, chairman of the recall committee. “We think he had a conflict of interest. He has attacked and slandered many innocent people here. Now we can begin to heal and get back to business.”

But Brink, a slow-growth proponent who last year tore down several hundred real estate signs, on Sunday pledged to challenge the legality of the election.

“This thing was run illegally and improperly,” he said, arguing that not enough notice was given and that members of the election committee told only sympathetic voters about Saturday’s polling. “Half the people in Acton were not even aware there was an election.”

Brink said residents generally received 60 to 90 days notice before past elections, but were told of the recall less than a month ago.

Brink also charged that the recall drive was financed by developers who felt threatened by his slow-growth position.

Olmstead denied the claim, saying: “Every donation received was from people in Acton, except for one real estate person and I hardly think that counts.”

The recall is effective immediately and Brink will not be allowed to take his seat at tonight’s council meeting. Residents voted 667 to 100 to choose Brink’s replacement at the regular election in September instead of having the council appoint a new member.