Residents urge Select Board to defend Natural Resources director against anonymous website attacks

Several Concord residents used the public‑comment period at the Select Board’s April 6 meeting to press the board to act after an anonymously created website circulated allegations about the town’s director of natural resources.

Jim Smith, a member of the National Resources Commission, said the site contains “many, many misstatements, falsehoods, and fabrications” and urged the board to treat anonymous allegations with skepticism and to rely on verifiable sources. A later speaker who said she represented about 92 community members called the material “bullying, harassing, and defamatory behavior” and asked the board and town manager to “stand up for one of your own.”

Ned Perry, who identified himself as a Concord resident, asked the board to consider legal steps and recommended an executive session with town counsel if the website is not removed by April 8. He urged the Select Board to use “all its powers to stand with my director and protect her to the fullest extent.”

Town staff and board members responded in the meeting’s manager report that the town manager and police department have been contacted and that town counsel is working on the issue. A town official said staff have been in touch with the affected employee and are providing support while awaiting further legal guidance.

The Select Board did not take a formal, recorded action on the floor that night beyond directing staff to continue coordination with town counsel and the police; residents asked the board to pursue identification of the website’s creators and potential remedies if removal efforts fail.