Sobhan Namvar Declines Andover Reappointment Following Pushback

ANDOVER, MA — Andover's former Community Support Coordinator Sobhan Namvar decided against rejoining the town government following pushback on social media, the town manager said.

The former Police Department employee resigned in August amid the controversy around Youth Services Director Bill Fahey's firing, citing "racist remarks and threats to his family."

The town had been prepared to rehire Namvar to his role, where he developed "a companion curriculum and program, opened a community drop-in center and connected more than 650 individuals and families with resources to support mental health, addiction recovery, family services, housing and food security," according to the town.

Namvar's appointment was initially listed on the consent agenda for the Jan. 5 Select Board meeting, but he asked to be removed, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said.

"Sobhan decided not to proceed with his reappointment based on some pushback that he observed on Facebook, "Flanagan said. "I am disappointed. As a leader in his field, his reappointment would have been a benefit to the residents of Andover."

This is the third time in two years Namvar, a licensed social worker, has stepped away from a role with the town following opposition from a segment of the public.

In Aug. 2020, he stepped down from the town's new diversity, equity and inclusion office following "aggressive resistance by some in our community calling into question Sobhan's own ethnicity, religion and credibility," Flanagan said.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com