HOLDEN — Issues arising at the Jan. 30 meeting of the Wachusett Regional School District Committee made their way into the Feb. 6 meeting of the Holden Board of Selectmen, with two residents asking for the resignation of member Tom Curran.
Curran was among a group who tried to “intimidate” parents, resident Amy Miller told selectmen during the citizen comment section of the meeting.
Miller initially identified Curran as the subject of her comments but did not name him later after the chairman said she should not use names, only titles.
“During this incident, a selectman was among a group individuals” who she said “attempted to harass one of his own constituents.”
Miller said “he is not fit for public office,” and asked the Board of Selectmen to “disavow his actions.” She then also asked that he resign from his public office.
Her comments were followed by those of resident Aidan Kearney, who said he was at the school committee meeting regarding a matter of public concern, specifically the “divisive diversity, equity and inclusion aspect of the curriculum.”
Kearney said he was sitting toward the front of the room “when four individuals, including a member of the Board of Selectmen, came over to me and in a bullying manner accosted me, made me feel unwelcome, told me that I could not record the meeting,” something Kearney said “I have every right to do,” adding he was recording the meeting for reasons including his protection.
Under the state Open Meeting Law, meetings can be recorded, but a person must inform the chair of the committee in advance of doing so and must not do so in a manner that is disruptive to the meeting.
“I was told I don’t live in this town and to go back to where I came from,” Kearney told the Board of Selectmen.
“I felt so unwelcomed,” he said. “We came here for the schools and were told to go back where we came from,” adding he was born and grew up in Worcester, moving to Holden in 2016. He ran for the School Committee in 2021 but was not elected.
“I had four people stand in front of me,” he said. “That video has now gone viral. … Our town has become the laughing stock of the country because of that. It is embarrassing, humiliating and degrading.”
He said he was “afraid to attend meetings ever again.”
“I would request the member apologize and resign,” he said.
Responses
Addressing citizen comments later in themeeting,ChairmanAnthonyRenzoni said that the Board of Selectmen “does not disavow incidents that happen outside a meeting (of its board).”
He added that “any resignation demand should be between an elected official and their constituent.”
Regarding the recording issue, Renzoni said he had no comment since it was an action outside a convened meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Stephanie Mulroy also spoke, noting her comments were her personal feelings.
“As a selectmen, I hold to the calling that we are to be completely nonpartisan representatives of all citizens of Holden regardless of our political leaning.”
Adding that elected officials are “held to a higher standard of behavior,” Mulroy said that “Being granted a position of leadership also comes with a degree of authority.”
Addressing the incident, she said, “No citizen should be intimidated or silenced by one of our board, and I am personally appalled by the the lack of judgement the select board member exercised in the School Committee events last week.
“At times of disagreement and of division, it is our duty to maintain level-headed leadership that promotes calm and inclusive discourse,” Mulroy said.
