Van Liew v. Kurland

Pierce, Laurence D., J.

The matter is before the court on the special motion to dismiss, filed pursuant to G.L.c. 231, §59H, the “anti-SLAPP” statute,1 by defendants Jon Kurland and Patricia Dzuris (respectively, “Kurland” and “Dzuris”). For the reasons discussed below, the motion is ALLOWED.

Factual and Procedural Background

The plaintiff, Roland Van Liew (‘Van Liew”) and the defendants reside in the Town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts (“Chelmsford” or the ‘Town”). In 2011, Van Liew commenced an effort to recall four elected members of the Town’s Board of Selectman. One of the Selectman targeted…