Mayor Nick Isgro was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, at which City Solicitor Bill Lee told councilors their role was not whether to put the recall to a vote, but when, as the city charter requires that the election occur.

Leaders of petition effort say they asked the Democratic party for help because circulators feared retaliation, while the mayor said non-residents and political operatives committed “acts of fraud, deception and intimidation.”

The city clerk on Thursday certified that 887 valid signatures had been gathered calling for a special election on a recall of the mayor, just days after a recall vote was OK’d for recently appointed Councilor John O’Donnell.

City clerks on Thursday are likely to have final tally of verified signatures even though residents expressed fear of retaliation if they signed the petition.

Acceptance of a $570,000 Alfond grant for municipal pool improvements also is on the Tuesday agenda.

Emails sent to and between city officials raise questions about whether the Waterville mayor’s social media post will have implications for the city’s business and tourism or its relationship with Colby College.