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Antisemitism, Accountability, and Housing Funds Dominate Select Board Meeting
Key Takeaways
Residents demand direct condemnation and transparency on antisemitism
Select Board narrowly commits Deaconess mitigation funds to senior housing, splits emerge over flexibility
Calls for slow, careful policy on financial reserves, land use, and appointments as procedural fatigue creeps in
Demand for Clear Action on Antisemitism in Schools
Public comment sharply criticized recent school and Board responses to a Federal complaint alleging "rampant antisemitism at Concord-Carlisle High School." Residents and students, many giving uncomfortable, detailed accounts, challenged vague statements, lack of transparent reporting, and what they described as “performative” or “downplaying” efforts from school leadership. Calls to “explicitly and swiftly condemn antisemitism” and make reporting data public were frequent. The Board, and particularly the DEI Commission, faced suggestions to table their own plan until gaps around Jewish communal safety and accountability are closed.
Deaconess Funds: Board Prioritizes Senior Housing, Splinters on Process
Amid pressure from the affordable housing lobby, the Board voted 4-1 to designate New England Deaconess Association payments into a gift account for senior housing. This step locks up future dollars for housing rather than the broader range of senior support allowed by agreement. Several Board members and residents voiced concern about reducing future Board discretion and questioned whether the “urgent need” narrative is being used to preempt longer-term policy review.
Policy Drift: Calendar, Land Use, and Appointments
A proposed tree removal was tabled pending legal review, with the Board wary of creating precedent for swapping out healthy public trees on aesthetic grounds. Minor amendments to the 2026 Town Meeting calendar and technical votes to forward remote participation, ranked choice voting, and rodenticide petitions were passed. Debates over Land Use Working Group representation revealed ongoing tension, with dissent flagged regarding the wisdom of seating two Select Board members as full participants, again, straining norms.
Other actions
Approved consent agenda and multiple committee appointments unanimously
Authorized year-end financial transfers under M.G.L. c. § 33B
Initiated review of outdated Reserve Fund policies after Town Meeting critique
Confirmed process for Town Manager performance evaluation
Discussed Select Board FY26 goals—no final vote
Accepted FY26 liaison assignments by consensus
Comments from the Public or Staff (Highlights)
David Y: Urged Board to “explicitly and swiftly condemn anti-Semitism” and launch a transparent reporting portal
Stella K (former student): “The School District’s response constantly feels like its only performative in nature and is failing to bring forth solutions.”
Felix F: Warned training materials risk erasing Hindu cultural meaning of the swastika by associating it solely with Nazism
Brian F: Stated Jewish families are “not ready for healing until there has been an honest reckoning, understanding and clear accountability”
Grant H: Criticized parents’ willingness to protect marginalized children beyond material comfort
Votes Taken
Consent Agenda: Passed (Unanimous)
Committee Appointments: Passed (Unanimous)
Deaconess Affordable Housing Fund: Passed (4–1)
Land Use Working Group charge amendment: Passed (4–1)
Land Use WG Select Board representative (Boehm): Passed (4–1)
Town Meeting Warrant Petitions (Remote participation, RCV, SGARs): Passed (Unanimous)
Year-end transfers: Passed (Unanimous)
2026 Town Meeting calendar: Passed (Unanimous)
Quote to Reflect On
“Ensure that DEI efforts truly include and protect the Jewish community, not as an afterthought.” David Y
Go Direct to the Source
The meeting summary above is auto-generated and may contain errors (report them here). You can access this meeting's official minutes and recording below.
July 14, 2025 - Concord Select Board - minutes.pdfOfficial Meeting Minutes
Official Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2025 - Concord Select Board - meeting materials.pdfOfficial Meeting Materials
Official Meeting Materials
Video of the Meeting
Video of the Meeting
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