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Community group urges committee to condemn harassing emails sent to town volunteers and officials
Summary
Representatives of Westborough Connects told the school committee they have tracked more than 150 harassing emails since 2021 targeting town volunteers and officials; they urged public rejection of such conduct and said they will work with regional anti-bullying partners to provide bystander training and support.
Kate Storm, chair of the Westborough Connects board of directors, and Kelly Petrella, the organization's executive director, told the school committee they have documented more than 150 email exchanges since 2021 that they described as harassing, personally abusive and sometimes containing identity-based attacks.
"These emails... are not constructive nor do they invite dialogue," Storm said, describing messages that included name-calling and implicit undertones of racism and identity-based bullying. Petrella said the messages have sometimes targeted town committee members and employees and have caused emotional distress.
Westborough Connects said it has largely replied by offering support to recipients but now plans to take a public stand and to partner with the Metro West identity-based anti-bullying coalition, led by Spark Kindness of Natick, to develop bystander training and resources for the community.
The committee chair and several members acknowledged they have seen similar emails and described the conduct as unprotected or abusive speech in some cases. "We have experienced as many kinds of emails that you're speaking about," the chair said, and added the town has counsel available to advise on steps to address unprotected speech.
Committee members and the public thanked Westborough Connects for raising the issue and for offering to share coalition resources with town boards and staff. Allison thanked the speakers and the committee indicated willingness to collaborate on solutions while noting legal and procedural limits to the committee's authority over residents' speech.
No formal committee action was taken during the meeting; the group said it will return with further resources as the coalition develops them.
