Embedded Files
Board Treads Carefully on Land Use Power, Backs Costly Turf Gift, and Advances Article Endorsements
Key Takeaways
Land Use Working Group seats expanded amid board discomfort over representation and Planning Board roles
$1.49M private gift for Doug White turf replacement approved, funds to be returned if not spent
Multiple high-spend or policy articles advanced for Town Meeting, some with split votes revealing unresolved concerns
Land Use Working Group: Board Sidesteps on Role and Oversight
Debate over the Working Group charge underscored unease about Select Board and Planning Board influence, with concern voiced about overrepresentation by sitting board members and procedural misses in appointing at-large vs. committee-nominated members. The board amended the charge to add a Planning Board representative and extra at-large seat but sidestepped open questions about strategic control.
Large-Scale Gift Accepted for Turf; Strings and Scrutiny Linger
The board unanimously accepted $1,490,390 from the Friends of the C-C Playing Fields for turf replacement. CFO Ansaldi reported two bids under budget, but all were still being evaluated. Any unused funds will be returned, echoing a broader theme: private funds are welcomed but process discipline remains unsettled.
Article Endorsements: Fiscal Risk, Split Votes, and Procedural Gaps
Articles on major spending, zoning, and citizen petitions (including ranked choice voting and rodenticide bans) were endorsed, several without clear cost projections or operational impacts. Article 36 (SGAR ban) and Article 45 (PRD Bonus) saw split votes, flagging unresolved tensions on environmental regulation and housing density. The Consent Calendar and article scheduling also raised logistical questions, with the School Committee’s delayed participation affecting group composition.
Other actions
Appointed Walter Clay (Historic District Commission), Dorothy Ortner (Minuteman School), and William Kemeza (Natural Resources Commission)
Approved proclamations for Pride Day (June 7) and Juneteenth (June 19)
Confirmed votes to recommend or report on 13 separate Town Meeting articles including utilities, funds, and budgets
Comments from the Public or Staff (Highlights)
Mark Gailus (public): Raised climate resiliency and urged joining the MA Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network
Votes Taken
Approved acceptance of $1,490,390 Doug White gift (Unanimous)
Approved committee and commission appointments (Unanimous)
Approved proclamations for Pride Day and Juneteenth (Unanimous)
Article endorsements: Article 36 (3-1-1, one nay, one abstention); Article 45 (4-1-0, one nay); all others unanimous
Quote to Reflect On
“The Board concurred that the vote on the flag raising request would be tabled until May 12, 2025.”
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.
Official Meeting Minutes
Official Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2025 - Concord Select Board - minutes.pdfOfficial Meeting Materials
Official Meeting Materials
May 5 2025 - Concord Select Board - meeting materials.pdfVideo of the Meeting
Video of the Meeting
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