Alvarado Stays As Reading Recall Petition Fails To Pass

READING, MA — In addition to Tuesday's primary election, Reading voters were asked to consider a petition to recall Select Board member Vanessa Alvarado. The Select Board voted in June to hold a special election Sept. 1 to consider the petition.

According to unofficial results posted by RCTV, 3,831 people voted for the recall, while 5,641 voters cast ballots against it. Former Select Board member John Halsey was on the ballot as a potential replacement for Alvarado.

Supporters of the recall claimed Alvarado "acted to block police force ratification discussions following the Town Manager's selection of a police chief candidate on Jan. 11" in violation of the town charter, according to the petition. Those in Alvarado's corner painted the effort as a political hit job and said there was nothing abnormal about the timeline in naming a new chief.

The town appointed David Clark chief in February after going without a police chief for more than a year.

Related: Primary Election Takes A Back Seat In Reading