Brookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield, Massachusetts
Acting as the chair, Maureen has not allowed public comment in meetings. In small room of residents that attended a public meeting, Christina made a motion to allow public comment. Kim made a second. Maureen using the Chair position used her power to override them.
You need to ask yourself, is this the type of person your want running town meetings?
Four local businesses were found in violation of a new regulation enacted by the Board of Health. This tobacco regulation was brought forth by Maureen, acting as chair. The businesses were never directly notified, and when the hearings for this regulation took place, no residents (other than her husband) were in attendance. This occurred because the public hearing notice was placed in a newspaper with only the minimum information required.
In this video, one of the businesses came before the board to appeal their violation. You will see how Maureen gaslights these individuals during this meeting.
We see here from an older meeting where Maureen gaslights another Board Member over minutes. It was discussed how they would review the minutes again in a following meeting. Instead, Maureen rewrote the minutes to be voted on instead of discussing the meeting minutes that were drafted initially.
Visibly frustrated by the way Maureen has treated her and other board members. They start to stand up to bullying tactics. Would you serve under her leadership? Would you serve on a board with her? Should she be a part of our town leadership?
Residents have raised concerns about Board of Health meeting access, remote participation, meeting procedure, public comment, and Open Meeting Law compliance during Maureen Lepak’s tenure. The issue for voters is whether the Board of Health has consistently provided open, fair, and accessible public meetings.
Legal filings and complaints have raised issues involving ADA accommodation requests and public meeting access. Any pending lawsuit or complaint should be described as an allegation unless there has been a final legal finding. The concern for residents is whether accommodation requests were handled carefully, respectfully, and consistently.
Local businesses and residents have raised concerns about enforcement actions, including whether affected parties received clear notice and a fair opportunity to comply before violations, hearings, or potential fines. The issue is not whether the Board of Health may enforce valid rules. The issue is whether enforcement has been handled fairly, consistently, and with proper communication.
Residents and Board members have questioned whether new regulations were advanced before the full Board had meaningful discussion about need, impact, alternatives, and public input. Good local government requires transparency, collaboration, and careful review before new rules are imposed on residents or businesses.
During Maureen Lepak’s tenure, residents have pointed to repeated turnover involving Board-related positions and public statements by officials about difficulty continuing under the existing Board environment. The issue for voters is whether this level of turnover reflects ordinary disagreement or a deeper governance problem.
Brookfield taxpayers may bear costs connected to legal disputes, outside counsel, administrative burden, and public-record or meeting-law matters involving the Board of Health. The concern is whether better process, communication, and leadership could have reduced conflict and avoided escalation.
Under Brookfield’s recall law, a recall petition must be signed by registered Brookfield voters equal to at least 20% of the town’s qualified voters. The petition must be returned and filed with the Town Clerk within 20 days after the recall affidavit is filed.
Step 1: You Receive the Petition
Brookfield voters may receive a recall petition in the mail. If you support moving the recall process forward, please review the petition carefully and sign it.
Your signature must include your name and residential address so it can be verified by the Registrars of Voters.
Step 2: Sign and Return the Petition Quickly
Because the recall law allows only a short collection window, signed petitions must be returned as soon as possible.
Signing the petition does not remove anyone from office by itself. It simply helps determine whether enough voters support placing the recall question before the voters in a formal recall election.
Step 3: Signatures Are Submitted for Certification
Before the petition is officially filed, the signatures are submitted to the Registrars of Voters. The Registrars review the signatures and certify how many are valid registered Brookfield voters.
Step 4: The Town Clerk Determines Whether the Petition Is Sufficient
If enough valid signatures are certified, the Town Clerk certifies the petition as sufficient and sends it to the Select Board.
Step 5: The Official Is Notified
Once the Select Board receives the certified petition, the Board must give written notice to the elected official. The official then has five days to resign.
Step 6: If the Official Does Not Resign, a Recall Election Is Scheduled
If the official does not resign within five days, the Select Board orders a recall election. The election must be held on a Tuesday, not less than 60 days and not more than 70 days after the Town Clerk certifies that a sufficient petition was filed.
Step 7: Voters Decide at the Ballot Box
At the recall election, voters decide whether the official should be recalled, and to choose who you would like to vote for.
The recall process is designed to give Brookfield voters the final decision.