An effort to recall Bertrand Township Clerk Jane Lano is moving forward.

At a clarity hearing Monday, the Berrien County Election Commission approved recall language filed against Lano by township resident Martin Couture.

The recall petition states that on “July 24, 2014 Clerk Lano notarized a civil rights complaint to be filed against Bertrand Township by an employee. The clerk failed to notify the board, the attorney or the insurance carrier until days after the regular board meeting of Aug. 14, 2014.”

Couture has been a township resident since 2010 and currently serves as an at-large representative for the township on the Southeast Berrien County Landfill Board. His wife, LeeAnn, was township treasurer from 2011 to 2013.

After learning about Lano’s actions following her notarization of the civil rights complaint, Couture said he felt compelled to file the recall petition.

“If you get a claim or even a potential claim you have a responsibility to notify your insurance company, especially if you expect them to cover a potential loss,” Couture said. “Right off the bat there should’ve been some quick response; 24 hours, 48 hours, something along those lines.”

Lano, who has 10 days to appeal the decision, said she is considering her options.

“Apparently Mr. Couture feels I need to be recalled from office for doing something right,” said Lano, explaining that she is not aware of any requirement that she, acting as a notary, would have to advise anyone that she had notarized a signature.

If nothing changes, Couture will be free to circulate the petition and gather 230 signatures. If the required number of signatures are collected, the petition would need to be verified by the county clerk, who would call for a special recall election, either in May or November.

The soonest it could appear on a ballot is May 2015.

Couture actually filed two recall petitions. Both went before the county election commission Monday. The second petition, which was in regards to another alleged violation by Lano, was denied.