01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, January 24, 2007

By Maria Armental

Journal Staff Writer

CHARLESTOWN — Recent actions by the majority government have town residents wondering what’s next for this small, bucolic community where zoning and environmental issues take center stage.

After residents were shut out of the last special council meeting, at which the majority government summarily changed the town’s legal representation, some residents decided to call a meeting of their own.

Those residents have called a meeting for Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Quonochontaug Grange on Route 1 to address “concerns about the recent decisions and directions of the majority members of the Charlestown Town Council.”

On the agenda: ask the council at large to consider a recall provision.

“Under the [Town] Charter, there are very clearly stated circumstances in which officials can be removed from office,” said John Goodman, one of the organizers.

“And many feel that Councilman [James M.] Mageau” and fellow councilmen John O. Craig Jr. and Bruce W. Picard “have not lived up to their duties as council members by [restricting] public comment and their demeanor” and with their actions amounting to “a dereliction of duty,” Goodman said. “But there is no clearly defined mechanism by which to remove council members from office.”

The group has not started gathering signatures yet, but at the last special council meeting on Jan. 11, several town residents voiced their desire to launch a recall initiative.

North Kingstown residents approved a recall provision in the last election.

The group will also discuss the pending Open Meetings Law violations, public input at council meetings, the town’s ability to prevail in pending zoning cases, and “the poor public behavior of Councilor Mageau, and the support of Councilor Picard and Councilor Craig to enable him,” according to a meeting notice.

There have been three Open Meetings complaints filed against the council since November. The attorney general’s office is investigating two of those. The third — yet to be reviewed for merit — was filed Monday by town resident Clifford L. Vanover and accuses Mageau, Craig and Picard of meeting in private and without notice to discuss the appointment of the new town solicitor.

The attorney general is also reviewing the merit of a criminal complaint filed by Mageau against 17 people labeling them “ecoterrorists” and accusing them of threatening and harassing him. Council Vice President Harriet A. Allen filed a complaint Friday with the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union charging Mageau, Picard, and Craig had violated residents’ civil liberties by tabling public comments, preventing councilors from debating issues, and withholding the name and resumé of the person they intended to appoint town solicitor.

“There is just a great concern due to what happened since the election,” Goodman explained.

“There seems to be some secretive deliberations on the majority of the council, specifically Mr. [James M.] Mageau, Craig and Picard, leaving the public to wonder what the motivation or agenda might be.”

And “there has been no opportunity for these individuals to get together and discuss their concerns.” Goodman said.

Attendance at meetings has routinely bordered or exceeded the 100-person chamber’s capacity with residents spilling into the hallway and sitting by their television sets to watch the meetings. Cox Communications’ Public Access was recently inundated with requests for copies of the latest council meeting at which the solicitors were replaced.

Residents have particularly questioned the council’s hiring of Town Administrator Edward M. Barrett without an open search and sweeping changes on the town’s legal staff without a formal selection. Both were approved on a 3-to-2 vote despite public outcry.

Residents are also concerned about recent public comments that public input at meetings will be restricted.

“Your permission to talk at these meetings is soon coming to an end,” an angry Mageau bellowed at an equally angry woman at the Jan. 11 meeting, both getting within inches of each other’s faces with their index fingers.

“Comments such as that made by Councilman Mageau are very alarming,” Goodman said.

Both Mageau and Craig said public input will not be eliminated.

Comments, however, will be restricted to the portion of the meeting so designated and members of the public won’t be allowed to debate the council on issues or personally attack council members, said Mageau, who sued the town in 1985 when he was not allowed to comment at a public meeting.

“As far as the way we have done things, in a democracy, majority rules,” Mageau said, adding, “I don’t think they can find fault with any of the people we have appointed.”

No workshop has been scheduled to discuss changes to the council’s rules and regulations. The next regular workshop is scheduled for Feb. 7.

marmenta@projo.com