There have been three unsuccessful attempts over the past several weeks to start a recall petition against four Niles Township board members, but the fourth time was finally the charm.

Recall wording, filed by township resident Anthony Millin, targeting Clerk Marge Durm-Hiatt, Treasurer Jim Ringler and Trustees Richard Noble and Richard Cooper passed a clarity hearing Monday at the Berrien County Courthouse.

Millin’s wording focused on the board members voting against soliciting bids for audit services for the township at a board meeting Feb. 7. At that meeting, Supervisor Jim Kidwell, who is also facing a recall petition, suggested that the board switch auditors.

Kidwell claimed the township could save more than $7,000 by allowing the state to do the audit versus having Siegfried Crandall, a company out of Kalamazoo, do the audit for a 10th straight year. The motion by Kidwell to do so failed by a 5-2 vote with those voting against it arguing that it was too late to send out request for proposals (RFPs) for a new auditor.

Recall organizers will now have 180 days to collect 907 signatures from township residents in order to have the recall item be put on the ballot. The signatures must be collected over a 90-day period.

This development comes after Bertrand Township voters ousted Supervisor John Mefford and Trustee Dick Haigh during this month’s recall election. Bertrand Trustee David Zelmer narrowly avoided recall in the same election.

Niles Township Supervisor Jim Kidwell and Bertrand Township Clerk Jane Lano are also on the hot seat, as recall organizers are currently circulating recall petitions against them.