A former mayor of Petersburg said he picked up a petition application with criteria that would recall the Petersburg Borough Assembly, which comes after stirring controversy between the city government and some of its constituents.

Borough Clerk Debbie Thompson confirmed that she gave Ted Smith an application to recall the assembly. Smith, however, said he “looked it over” and then handed it to another person to take the lead. That person remains anonymous.

“I can’t give that name without his permission,” Smith said. “I am neutral on the idea, but there are some strange things going on.”

Smith...