Police investigating new ‘scarecrow’ targeting Superintendent Laurie Hunter

Acton police are investigating the discovery of another Acton Center display with language targeting schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter.

The latest message appeared in the area of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery near Partridge Lane and Bedford Street early Saturday morning. 

Police Capt. Brian Goldman said authorities were investigating a “scarecrow,” but would not comment when asked to confirm whether the message was aimed at Hunter. 

Partridge Lane resident Denise Jantzen told The Acton Bridge that she saw the display. She shared photos showing a trashbag mounted on crosspieces.

“Fire liar Hunter,” read a spray-painted message on the front. A sign on the back said, in part, “The hatchet for Hunter! Hate, waste, bulling [sic], higher taxes.”

Neither Hunter nor regional School Committee chair Tracey Marano responded to Bridge requests for comment on Monday.

K-8 School Committee Chair Andrew Herchek noted in an email that the display was discovered “at the end of the street of an elected School Committee official.”

He described the incident as an “anonymous act of intimidation,” one he decried as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.” 

The chairs previously spoke out against a display in Monument Square last month that also targeted Hunter. 

Herchek said this kind of situation “appears to be escalating,” saying, “We will not allow fear and violence to dictate the administration of our schools.”

Jantzen said she saw the display while leaving her neighborhood. She said she contacted the police. 

“I think people need to understand the level of intimidation,” Jantzen told The Bridge. “I don’t care if you’re a School Committee person or a Finance Committee [member] or a town committee [person] or town manager — nobody should be receiving that.”

Goldman wouldn’t share details about the investigation into the September display in Monument Square but said “by far, we haven’t gone stale.” 

In that case, as with this one, police have divulged only limited details in light of continuing investigations.

“While some might look at it as being very simple and straightforward, it’s actually quite complex,” Goldman said of these probes.

Select Board Chair Mark Howell condemned recent incidents at the beginning of Monday night’s board meeting, saying, in part, “Anonymous expressions, such as the placement of disparaging signage along the public way, does nothing to support or further productive dialog.” 

Town Manager Kerry Lafleur weighed in with a separate statement thanking Howell for his comments and urging residents “to embrace the Select Board’s call for dialog and constructive engagement.” 

“That is the only way we will make progress together,” Lafleur said.

This breaking story has been updated.