Accused Arsonist Nominated By Concord City Manager To An Alternate Seat On The ZBA

CONCORD, NH — A former state employee who has been arrested several times, including being accused of arson in 2023, now holds an alternate seat on the city’s zoning board of adjustment.

Mary Rose Deak, 70, of Jennings Drive in Concord, was nominated for the open seat in April by Concord City Manager Tom Aspell. In the nomination submission, which included a resume, Aspell said Deak had lived in the city for more than 20 years and was a retired laboratory analyst and environmental monitor. She also worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to her Twitter-X and Facebook account. Her term, Aspell said, pending council approval, would expire in January 2028.

The nomination was placed on the consent agenda for Monday night’s meeting and approved by councilors by voice vote. Despite Patch telling them of her criminal history via email, neither Aspell nor Mayor Byron Champlin pulled her nomination for discussion, consideration, or enlightening councilors about her known priors.

Deak sought the Republican nomination for the District 2 Executive Council last year but was unsuccessful.

She has also been arrested several times.

In June 2024, she was arrested on resisting arrest or detention after interfering with a New Hampshire State Police trooper seeking to detain her, according to court records. She refused to present her arms to be handcuffed and pulled away. Deak initially pleaded not guilty. A week later, the case was placed on hold without a finding for six months pending good behavior.

In October 2023, she was arrested for arson and resisting arrest or detention after an incident or investigation at the Brady Sullivan at 11 Stickney Avenue. About 18 months before that, she was given a summons for illegally kindling of fire violation after an incident in Eagle Square.

A court public information officer could not find any resolution of the arson or kindling cases.

In September 2020, Deak was charged with negligent driving in Concord and was found guilty in October 2021. She was fined $310.

According to court filings, Deak has been the subject of two civil stalking complaints as a defendant and three as a plaintiff.

In July 2022, Deak’s Kia Soul caught on fire on Capitol Street outside the Statehouse.

Firefighters said putting out the fire was slightly more difficult than other fires due to other flammable liquids inside the vehicle. Witnesses said the driver appeared to be running from the scene, and officers attempted to look for her to check on her welfare. Officers found her and another woman later at the corner of Capitol and North State streets.

The Concord Monitor reported in a follow-up story that Deak was living in her Soul at the time and was able to save her cat from the burning car.

Deak can sometimes be seen panhandling on Loudon Road near Hazen Drive, holding a sign saying she was a former state employee.

Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 190 communities. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.