Removal Papers Filed For Mutch-This Day In Norwood History-August 19, 1938

Riley Charges Failure In Duties With Respect To Manager And Contract Award In Affadavit

Action Follows Agitation Over Planned Firing

Clement A. Riley, former member of the Welfare Board of the town of Norwood, filed an affadavit with the town clerk and accountant yesterday afternoon for the removal of Selectman John A. Mutch from his office as a selectman of the town of Norwood. The affadavit, the first time in the town’s history that the recall procedure set up in the charter has been invoked, charges Selectman Mutch with failure to perform his duties as selectman for the best interests of the town with respect to the awarding of bids and with respect to the General Manager, William C. Kendrick.

The action taken by Mr. Riley climaxes several days of agitation in the town precipitated by Selectman Mutch’s statement to the Board of Selectmen last week and again on Tuesday night that he intended to bring action for the removal of General Manager Kendrick within another week.

In accordance with the provisions set up in the town charted for the recall procedure, Mr. Riley, having made his affidavit will be given recall petitions which must be returned with 200 signatures within a period of 20 days. Following certification of these papers by the clerk the challenged official is given five days in which he may resign, and failing that a special election for the office must be held within 35 days of the certification of the papers.

Mr. Riley’s affidavit for the recall of Selectman Mutch reads: “Mr. Clement A. Riley of Norwood in the County of Norfolk in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn according to law on oath depose and say that I am a qualified voter of the town of Norwood, Mass., and that I seek the removal of John M. Mutch of said Norwood Mass., from the office of selectman of said Norwood upon the following grounds of removal:

“That while acting as said selectman he has failed to perform his duties as a selectman in a proper manner and for the best interests of the town of Norwood. He has in bad faith voted to award contracts to persons who are not the lowest bidders and has unlawfully discriminated against responsible bidders for said contracts to the detriment of the town of Norwood. That he has failed to perform the duties of his office in a faithful and impartial manner and has allowed his official acts to be influenced and controlled by selfish motives and personal prejudice.

“That he has interfered with a certain town official, namely William C. Kendrick, general manager of the town of Norwood, in the proper performance of his duties and has falsely accused said manager of lack of cooperation and in an attempt to intimidate, coerce and control said manager threatened to institute proceedings for dismissal of said general manager which said act has not been done in good faith as for the best interests of the town of Norwood, Mass. The same being actuated by ill will, prejudice and personal animosity toward said general manager.”

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)