§ 7-22 — Removal of town clerks.

Whenever complaint in writing is made to the Attorney General that the town clerk of any town is guilty of misconduct, wilful and material neglect of duty or incompetence in the conduct of such town clerk's office, the Attorney General shall make such investigation of the charges as the Attorney General deems proper and shall, if the Attorney General is of the opinion that the evidence obtained warrants such action, prepare a statement in writing of the charges against such town clerk, together with a citation in the name of the state, commanding such town clerk to appear before a judge of the Superior Court at a date named in the citation and show cause, if any, why such town clerk should not be removed from office as provided in this section. The Attorney General shall cause a copy of such statement and citation to be served by some proper officer upon the defendant town clerk at least ten days before the date of appearance named in such citation, and the original statement and citation, with the return of the officer thereon, shall be returned to the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district within which such town is situated. To carry into effect the proceedings authorized by this section, the Attorney General shall have power to summon witnesses, require the production of necessary books, papers and other documents and administer oaths to witnesses; and upon the date named in such citation for the appearance of such town clerk, or upon any adjourned date fixed by the judge before whom such proceedings are pending, the Attorney General shall appear and conduct the hearing on behalf of the state. If, after a full hearing of all the evidence offered by the Attorney General and by and on behalf of the defendant, such judge is of the opinion that the evidence presented warrants the removal of such town clerk from office, the judge shall cause to be prepared a written order to that effect, which order shall be signed by the judge and lodged with the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district in which such defendant resides. Such clerk of the superior court shall cause a certified copy of such order to be served forthwith upon such town clerk, and upon such service the office held by such town clerk shall become vacant and the vacancy thereby created shall be filled at once in the manner provided in section 9-220. Any witnesses summoned and any officer making service under the provisions of this section shall be allowed and paid by the state the same fees as are allowed by law in criminal prosecutions.

Legislative History

(1949 Rev., S. 506; 1953, S. 256d; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 10-32, S. 12; P.A. 21-102, S. 4.) History: P.A. 78-280 substituted “judicial district” for “county”; P.A. 10-32 made technical changes, effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 21-102 replaced references to state's attorney with references to Attorney General. Town clerk was not automatically entitled to compensation until removed under section because legislature clearly empowered each municipality to determine the compensation of its town clerk, and section and common law do not grant public officers an absolute right to payment. 303 C. 699.