Candidates line up to face trustees in recall
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

John Steffian's anger over the exterior design of the library addition promoted his run for the board of trustees in the upcoming recall election.

Three residents will take on the three library trustees facing a recall election in December, after having their nomination papers certified.

A second set of questions on the ballot - after voters have voted for or against the recall of each of the trustees - asks voters decide whom to put into the seats if the recall succeeds.

Barbara Despres will appear on the ballot against trustee Paul McGrail, John Steffian will appear against trustee Matt Alfond and Annette Acosta against trustee Lisa Gordon.

The three trustees have stood by their design of the newly renovated library building on Main Street, saying it serves the needs of the community. They have also stood by their decision this summer to terminate the library director.

Residents had until 5 p.m. on Wednesday to submit the nomination papers, said Town Clerk Lorraine Pease. At the Journal's press time it was unknown if any more nomination papers were submitted.

"I'm running because the current trustees won't acknowledge the divisive nature of the project they built," said Steffain.

He said there are a lot of hard feelings and problems with the recently renovated library building and he wants the chance to address the issues as a trustee, he said. Steffian, an abutter to the project, became an outspoken critic of the library design this summer.

"It's not a personal crusade," he said. "The community in general is very, very angry about the thing the current trustees

have built."

Steffian said there needs to be new leadership in the board. He noted he has volunteered in libraries for a number of years.

He said the problems with the facility, such as problems with the abutters and water use limitations, won't just disappear.

"Those issues need to be addressed in a public manner and not behind closed doors," Steffian said.

Acosta and Despres were unreachable immediately before press time.

The trustees have said since the recall start that they would not step down and that they stand behind their decisions. The entire board expressed their views in Letter to the Editor this week.