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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. Matthew Johnson joined the board after the June 11, 2020 town election (first meeting September 21, 2020). On September 21, 2020 the board unanimously elected Linda Escobedo as Chair and Susan Bates as Clerk, each “effective through the close of the 2021 Annual Town Meeting.” Meetings were held remotely. Jane Hotchkiss’s last meeting was June 13, 2021. Covers 36 meetings, September 21 to June 13, 2021.
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 36 of 36 meetingsSusan BatesClerk · At-large · at 35 of 36 meetingsJane HotchkissMember · At-large · at 36 of 36 meetingsMatthew JohnsonMember · At-large · at 36 of 36 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.
Jun 13Support affirmative action on revision of motion under article…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 13, 2021 (Special meeting): Support affirmative action on revision of motion under article 9
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to support affirmative action on revision of motion under article 9.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to support affirmative action on revision of motion under article 9..”
Jun 7Approve the consent agendaMotion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 7, 2021: Approve the consent agenda
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: 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 approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye.”
Jun 7Approve the Grant of Location Petition by Comcast of…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 7, 2021: Approve the Grant of Location Petition by Comcast of Massachusetts to install new coaxial cable along and across 1150 Main Street and Baker Avenue
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve the Grant of Location Petition by Comcast of Massachusetts to install new coaxial cable along and across 1150 Main Street and Baker Avenue. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: 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 approve the Grant of Location Petition by Comcast of Massachusetts to install new coaxial cable along and across 1150 Main Street and Baker Avenue. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye.”
Jun 7Accept the Capital Planning Task Force Final Report and…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 7, 2021: Accept the Capital Planning Task Force Final Report and Recommendations with our gratitude
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to accept the Capital Planning Task Force Final Report and Recommendations with our gratitude. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: 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 accept the Capital Planning Task Force Final Report and Recommendations with our gratitude. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye.”
Jun 7Execute the Inter-Municipal Agreement and participate in the "Making…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 7, 2021: Execute the Inter-Municipal Agreement and participate in the "Making the Connections" initiative
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to execute the Inter-Municipal Agreement and participate in the "Making the Connections" initiative. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: 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 execute the Inter-Municipal Agreement and participate in the "Making the Connections" initiative. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye.”
Jun 7Recommend affirmative action on Article 7 at the 2021…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed · see note
June 7, 2021: Recommend affirmative action on Article 7 at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recommend affirmative action on Article 7 at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Nay Ms. Bates: Nay Ms. Ackerman: Nay Ms. Hotchkiss: Nay Mr. Johnson: Nay
The minutes say “it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recommend affirmative action on Article 7,” but the roll call that follows lists all five members as “Nay.” Showing the result only as the minutes word it; we will ask the town which is correct. 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 Article 7 at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Nay Ms. Bates: Nay Ms. Ackerman: Nay Ms. Hotchkiss: Nay Mr. Johnson: Nay.”
Jun 7The Select Board shall appoint and charge an independent…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was VOTED: that…Passed 3–2 · No: Bates, Johnson
June 7, 2021: The Select Board shall appoint and charge an independent citizen committee to study the Personnel Bylaw, the charge of the Personnel Board, and related documents and make recommendations for...
Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was VOTED: that the Select Board shall appoint and charge an independent citizen committee to study the Personnel Bylaw, the charge of the Personnel Board, and related documents and make recommendations for appropriate changes thereto. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Nay Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Nay The chair declared that the motion passed on a vote of 3 to 2.
Yes: Ackerman, Escobedo, HotchkissNo: Bates, JohnsonThe minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded it was VOTED: that the Select Board shall appoint and charge an independent citizen committee to study the Personnel Bylaw, the charge of the Personnel Board, and related documents and make recommendations for appropriate changes thereto. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Nay Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Nay The chair declared that the motion passed on a vote of 3 to 2..”
Jun 7Accept the appointment of Rebecca Lemaitre of 3 Abbott…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 7, 2021: Accept the appointment of Rebecca Lemaitre of 3 Abbott Lane to the Historical Commission as an Associate Member for a term to expire on April 30, 2022
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to accept the appointment of Rebecca Lemaitre of 3 Abbott Lane to the Historical Commission as an Associate Member for a term to expire on April 30, 2022. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: 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 accept the appointment of Rebecca Lemaitre of 3 Abbott Lane to the Historical Commission as an Associate Member for a term to expire on April 30, 2022. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye.”
Jun 1Approve the consent agendaMotion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 1, 2021: Approve the consent agenda
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye
Yes: Ackerman, Bates, Escobedo, JohnsonThe roll call does not list Jane Hotchkiss, who was at the meeting, so that member is left out of this vote. 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 Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Mr. Johnson: Aye.”
Jun 1Having convened in an open meeting on May 25,…Motion: Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 1, 2021: Having convened in an open meeting on May 25, 2021 and June 1, 2021, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Select Board and the School Committee of Concord,…
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: Having convened in an open meeting on May 25, 2021 and June 1, 2021, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Select Board and the School Committee of Concord, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated May 28, 2021 for the Concord Middle School located at 835 Old Marlboro Road and 1231 Old Marlboro Road which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future for priorities #2, #5, and #7, with deficiencies as follows: Priority #2. Elimination of severe overcrowding, this condition has been addressed by use of an elementary school being converted to use as the second middle school building in 1967, Priority #5. Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility, the two buildings that serve as the Middle School have significant capital requirements with roofing, HVAC and other systems reaching obsolescence after nearly 50 years, Priority #7 Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and a
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: Having convened in an open meeting on May 25, 2021 and June 1, 2021, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Select Board and the School Committee of Concord, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated May 28, 2021 for the Concord Middle School located at 835 Old Marlboro Road and 1231 Old Marlboro Road which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future for priorities #2, #5, and #7, with deficiencies as follows: Priority #2. Elimination of severe overcrowding, this condition has been addressed by use of an elementary school being converted to use as the second middle school building in 1967, Priority #5. Replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility, the two buildings that serve as the Middle School have significant capital requirements with roofing, HVAC and other systems reaching obsolescence after nearly 50 years, Priority #7 Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements; having two buildings located a mile apart requires duplication of many services and increases staffing costs significantly; these funds could be used to improve the direct educational experiences of the Middle School students housed in the Peabody and Sanborn buildings; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City/Town/Regional School District to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Roll call vote Ms. Escobedo: Aye Ms. Bates: Aye Ms. Ackerman: Aye Ms. Hotchkiss: Aye Mr. Johnson: 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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