MassVoter.com← Concord Select BoardConcord Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
November 20, 2023
17 recorded votes, 17 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Henry Dane, Mary Hartman, Terri Ackerman, Linda Escobedo, Mark Howell
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Linda Escobedo took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Enter an Executive Session under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation - per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) settlement, and to reconvene in Open Session at 6:00 PM
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to enter an Executive Session under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation - per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) settlement, and to reconvene in Open Session at 6:00 PM. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 enter an Executive Session under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation - per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) settlement, and to reconvene in Open Session at 6:00 PM. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Open the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification at 6:00 PM and to continue the Public Hearing to 7:00 PM
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to open the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification at 6:00 PM and to continue the Public Hearing to 7:00 PM. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 open the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification at 6:00 PM and to continue the Public Hearing to 7:00 PM. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Approve the Concord Center Cultural Task Force charge with the amendment of increasing the membership from three to five members
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to approve the Concord Center Cultural Task Force charge with the amendment of increasing the membership from three to five members. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 Concord Center Cultural Task Force charge with the amendment of increasing the membership from three to five members. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Authorize the Town Manager to take the necessary steps to remove all on-street parking meters as listed in the memorandum included in the Select Board meeting packet
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted: to authorize the Town Manager to take the necessary steps to remove all on-street parking meters as listed in the memorandum included in the Select Board meeting packet. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - No The vote passed 4-1-0.
Yes: Ackerman, Dane, Escobedo, HartmanNo: HowellThe minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted: to authorize the Town Manager to take the necessary steps to remove all on-street parking meters as listed in the memorandum included in the Select Board meeting packet. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - No The vote passed 4-1-0..”
Approve the Consent Agenda
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Committee Appointments
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: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Committee Appointments.”
Be a sponsor of the Hanscom North Airfield Community Forum to take place on December 6, 2023
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to be a sponsor of the Hanscom North Airfield Community Forum to take place on December 6, 2023. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 be a sponsor of the Hanscom North Airfield Community Forum to take place on December 6, 2023. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Approve and authorize the execution of the deed for Parcel B Conveyance, 162 Plainfield Road
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to approve and authorize the execution of the deed for Parcel B Conveyance, 162 Plainfield Road. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 and authorize the execution of the deed for Parcel B Conveyance, 162 Plainfield Road. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Approve the amended 2024 Annual Town Meeting Calendar as included in the Select Board meeting packet
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to approve the amended 2024 Annual Town Meeting Calendar as included in the Select Board meeting packet. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Chair's Report
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 amended 2024 Annual Town Meeting Calendar as included in the Select Board meeting packet. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Chair's Report.”
Remove the Tercentenary Markers for temporary maintenance while the Town proceeds with the Historic Districts Commission process
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted: to remove the Tercentenary Markers for temporary maintenance while the Town proceeds with the Historic Districts Commission process. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - No Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye The vote passed 4-1-0. - Concord Middle School Building Committee - Recently had a tour of the new construction, which is coming along nicely. - Natural Resources Commission - Working on the Warners Pond Task Force charge in which there has been significant community input in the process.
Yes: Ackerman, Escobedo, Hartman, HowellNo: DaneThe minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted: to remove the Tercentenary Markers for temporary maintenance while the Town proceeds with the Historic Districts Commission process. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - No Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye The vote passed 4-1-0. - Concord Middle School Building Committee - Recently had a tour of the new construction, which is coming along nicely. - Natural Resources Commission - Working on the Warners Pond Task Force charge in which there has been significant community input in the process..”
Reopen the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to reopen the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Meredith Stone, Town Assessor, appeared before the Select Board and provided a presentation on the Town Classification for Fiscal Year 2024.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to reopen the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Meredith Stone, Town Assessor, appeared before the Select Board and provided a presentation on the Town Classification for Fiscal Year 2024..”
Close the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to close the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 close the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Tax Classification. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Select a residential factor single rate
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to select a residential factor single rate. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 select a residential factor single rate. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Not grant an open space discount
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to not grant an open space discount. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 not grant an open space discount. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Adopt a residential tax exemption of 10% in concert with the vote taken by the Select Board on August 7, 2023
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to adopt a residential tax exemption of 10% in concert with the vote taken by the Select Board on August 7, 2023. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - 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 a residential tax exemption of 10% in concert with the vote taken by the Select Board on August 7, 2023. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye.”
Not adopt a small commercial exemption
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to not adopt a small commercial exemption. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Discuss and Finalize comments compiled for the Mass Housing Response Letter for the Thoreau Residences 40B Application Chair Dane presented a draft letter that has comments compiled to be submitted to Mass Housing in response to the Thoreau Residences 40B application.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to not adopt a small commercial exemption. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Discuss and Finalize comments compiled for the Mass Housing Response Letter for the Thoreau Residences 40B Application Chair Dane presented a draft letter that has comments compiled to be submitted to Mass Housing in response to the Thoreau Residences 40B application..”
Approve the letter to Mass Housing with the amendments as discussed and to authorize Chair Dane to sign the letter on behalf of the Select Board
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to approve the letter to Mass Housing with the amendments as discussed and to authorize Chair Dane to sign the letter on behalf of the Select Board. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Communications and Documents of Interest for Information but not discussion
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 letter to Mass Housing with the amendments as discussed and to authorize Chair Dane to sign the letter on behalf of the Select Board. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Communications and Documents of Interest for Information but not discussion.”
Adjourn
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 PM. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Meeting Materials:
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was UNANIMOUSLY voted: to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 PM. Roll Call Vote: Chair Dane - Aye Ms. Hartman - Aye Ms. Ackerman - Aye Ms. Escobedo - Aye Mr. Howell - Aye Meeting Materials:.”
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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