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Concord Select Board
How the Concord Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Terri Ackerman and Susan Bates joined the board after the March 2019 town election (first meeting April 22, 2019). That night the board unanimously elected Michael Lawson as Chair and Linda Escobedo as Clerk. Because of COVID-19 the 2020 town election was moved from March 31 to June 11, 2020 and Annual Town Meeting to September 13, 2020, so this board served until September 2020; most meetings from March 2020 on were held remotely. Michael Lawson’s last meeting was September 13, 2020. Covers 67 meetings, April 22 to September 13, 2020.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
Coming up
No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →
Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Members
Terri AckermanMember · At-large · at 67 of 67 meetingsSusan BatesMember · At-large · at 63 of 67 meetingsLinda EscobedoClerk · At-large · at 65 of 67 meetingsJane HotchkissMember · At-large · at 63 of 67 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Concord Select Board minutes from January 8, 2018 through August 31, 2026: 342 meetings and 2,592 votes. The town’s Agenda Center holds the board’s minutes back to 2008; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. The board was already called the Select Board throughout this period. All the minutes loaded are typed documents with searchable text. Not here: executive-session minutes (including released executive-session minutes that some files append after the open-session minutes); agendas posted in place of minutes; cancelled or postponed meetings; meetings of two-member Select Board subcommittees (the Committee Volunteer and Flag Policy subcommittees); the Concord Housing Roundtable, site visits, a liquor-licensing training session and other boards’ hearings that members attended, where the minutes record no Select Board deliberation or vote; meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes (among them the open session of March 26, 2018, April 11 and April 30, 2019, October 15, 2019, December 7, 2019, July 7, 2020, October 23 and November 6 and 17, 2021, and February 7, 2022); and meetings after August 31, 2026 (the September 14, 18 and 28, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Concord’s minutes usually say “Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED,” which is shown as every member present voting yes; they named the mover only from 2025 on. From 2020 to 2023 most votes were roll calls by name, and when a member voted no or abstained the minutes usually name the member (“The motion passed 4-1-0, with Ms. Ackerman voting nay”). Where the minutes say only “it was VOTED” or “MOVED” with no count or names (common in 2018 and 2019) we show the result only (155 votes); where a split count names no one (“by a margin of 3-1 with one member opposed”) we show the count only, with a note (37 votes). A few roll calls contradict the word “unanimously” in the same sentence; those show the result only, with a note. Members who stepped aside (recused) or whom a roll call lists as “Not Present” are not shown in that vote; members who arrived late or left early are shown only in the votes they were there for. In 2021 and 2024 several sets of minutes record the board’s positions on Town Meeting articles in a table (“Affirmative Action – 5-0-0”); each row is shown as a vote. At joint meetings only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Sep 13Recommend affirmative action on the proposed amendment to Article…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
September 13, 2020: Recommend affirmative action on the proposed amendment to Article 11
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recommend affirmative action on the proposed amendment to Article 11. Roll call vote Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Mr. Lawson: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recommend affirmative action on the proposed amendment to Article 11. Roll call vote Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Mr. Lawson: Aye.”
Sep 13Recommend no action on the proposed amendment to Article…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
September 13, 2020: Recommend no action on the proposed amendment to Article 16
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recommend no action on the proposed amendment to Article 16. Roll call vote Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Mr. Lawson: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recommend no action on the proposed amendment to Article 16. Roll call vote Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Mr. Lawson: Aye.”
Sep 8Approve the consent agendaMotion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed 3–0 · see note
September 8, 2020: Approve the consent agenda
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Not Present Ms. Bates: Not Present
Yes: Ackerman, Hotchkiss, LawsonThe roll call records Linda Escobedo and Susan Bates as “Not Present” for this vote, so they are not shown voting. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Not Present Ms. Bates: Not Present.”
Sep 8Appoint Jim Smith of 14 Edmonds Road to the…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
September 8, 2020: Appoint Jim Smith of 14 Edmonds Road to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term beginning on October 1, 2020 to expire on April 30, 2023
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to appoint Jim Smith of 14 Edmonds Road to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term beginning on October 1, 2020 to expire on April 30, 2023 Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to appoint Jim Smith of 14 Edmonds Road to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term beginning on October 1, 2020 to expire on April 30, 2023 Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye.”
Sep 3Adopt changes to the Tax Incentive Financing Agreement with…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY: VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
September 3, 2020: Adopt changes to the Tax Incentive Financing Agreement with Town Counsel's input, and to remove the apostrophe in the word "party's" on page 2, and to remove an extra 'e'…
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY: VOTED: to adopt changes to the Tax Incentive Financing Agreement with Town Counsel's input, and to remove the apostrophe in the word "party's" on page 2, and to remove an extra 'e' in Christopher Heights on page 2. Roll call vote Mike Lawson: Aye Terri Ackerman: Aye Jane Hotchkiss: Aye Linda Escobedo: Aye Susan Bates: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY: VOTED: to adopt changes to the Tax Incentive Financing Agreement with Town Counsel's input, and to remove the apostrophe in the word "party's" on page 2, and to remove an extra 'e' in Christopher Heights on page 2. Roll call vote Mike Lawson: Aye Terri Ackerman: Aye Jane Hotchkiss: Aye Linda Escobedo: Aye Susan Bates: Aye.”
Sep 3Move affirmative action on Article 16Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was 4-1: VOTED:…Passed 4–1 · No: Bates
September 3, 2020: Move affirmative action on Article 16
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was 4-1: VOTED: to move affirmative action on Article 16. Roll call vote Mike Lawson: Aye Terri Ackerman: Aye Jane Hotchkiss: Aye Linda Escobedo: Aye Susan Bates: Nay
Yes: Ackerman, Escobedo, Hotchkiss, LawsonNo: BatesThe minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was 4-1: VOTED: to move affirmative action on Article 16. Roll call vote Mike Lawson: Aye Terri Ackerman: Aye Jane Hotchkiss: Aye Linda Escobedo: Aye Susan Bates: Nay.”
Aug 31Extend the non-enforcement of parking meters through the remainder…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 31, 2020: Extend the non-enforcement of parking meters through the remainder of the calendar year
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to extend the non-enforcement of parking meters through the remainder of the calendar year. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to extend the non-enforcement of parking meters through the remainder of the calendar year. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye.”
Aug 31Approve the amendments to the TIF that were included…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: to…Passed 4–1 · No: Ackerman
August 31, 2020: Approve the amendments to the TIF that were included in the August 31, 2020 Select Board packet along with minor edits noted today
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: to approve the amendments to the TIF that were included in the August 31, 2020 Select Board packet along with minor edits noted today. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Nay Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye
Yes: Bates, Escobedo, Hotchkiss, LawsonNo: AckermanThe minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was VOTED: to approve the amendments to the TIF that were included in the August 31, 2020 Select Board packet along with minor edits noted today. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Nay Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye.”
Aug 31Appoint election officers as stated in the memo dated…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board UNANIMOUSLY:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 31, 2020: Appoint election officers as stated in the memo dated August 31, 2020 from the Town Clerk to the Select Board
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board UNANIMOUSLY: VOTED: to appoint election officers as stated in the memo dated August 31, 2020 from the Town Clerk to the Select Board. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Select Board UNANIMOUSLY: VOTED: to appoint election officers as stated in the memo dated August 31, 2020 from the Town Clerk to the Select Board. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye.”
Aug 31Appoint Karle Packard of 86 Butternut Circle to the…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
August 31, 2020: Appoint Karle Packard of 86 Butternut Circle to the Capital Planning Task Force for a term effective at the conclusion of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting, and to expire June…
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to appoint Karle Packard of 86 Butternut Circle to the Capital Planning Task Force for a term effective at the conclusion of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting, and to expire June 30, 2021. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to appoint Karle Packard of 86 Butternut Circle to the Capital Planning Task Force for a term effective at the conclusion of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting, and to expire June 30, 2021. Roll call vote Mr. Lawson: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye.”
From the Concord Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): The Concord Bridge — Wendy Rovelli and Cameron McKennitt (Celeste Katz Marston, April 2024), Paul Boehm and Mary Hartman (January 2025), Dean Banfield (courtesy photo, March 2026). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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