Select Board — February 25, 2026

Board entered executive session under MGL Ch. 30A §21(a)(3) to discuss litigation strategy in Archstone v. HDC and Hannon v. MIG cases; returned to open session at ~6pm.

Multiple residents raised concerns about IHRA antisemitism definition adoption (procedural issues, chilling effects, factual accuracy), cell tower siting at Rideout Field in West Concord (lack of due diligence, health/park impacts), and related policy matters.

Motion to approve consent agenda; January 27 minutes pulled for WordSmith edits on material weaknesses, reconciliation, audit committee, and ARPA funding language; edits reviewed and deferred to next meeting.

Approved reappointment of Sue Leach-Chance and Sue Beck to West Concord Cultural District Committee for second three-year terms.

Discussed community confusion over IHRA reference vs. adoption in proclamation; proposed further board discussion; noted open meeting law complaints on proclamation development to be reviewed March 10 or 12; mentioned Secretary of State event.

Presented February monthly projects report covering ~50 initiatives (infrastructure, public safety, technology, climate); spotlight on Baker Ave culvert repair; cell coverage assessment and other updates discussed.

Approved continuation of West Concord Art Loop sidewalk decals (May–October) with same scope as prior year; call for new artist submissions underway.

Briefing on request to shift Novo Riverside 40B project monitoring from MassHousing to EOHLC Local Initiative Program (perpetual restriction, no NEF lender requirement, town monitoring with developer reimbursement). LIP provides town discretion, perpetual affordability, and local monitoring control while Mass Housing is used primarily for towns under 10% threshold. LIP provides perpetuity for SHI units versus 30 years under Mass Housing.

Review of revised health insurance (4.3% increase), property insurance, workers' comp, and regional school assessments resulting in 1.98% overall expense increase; free cash update provided.

Presentation of recommendations for public safety facilities (new West Concord fire HQ, Wen Street evaluation), municipal consolidation (purchase/renovate existing office space), and public works relocation (MCI preferred); phase 2 planning outlined. Discussion of the working group's analysis of public safety, public works, and municipal office consolidation needs, highlighting building conditions and potential cash flow from property consolidation. Exploration of how the MCI site could address public works relocation while enabling other facility solutions; emphasis on state coordination and mixed-use potential. Public safety and public works buildings are in poor condition despite appearances; the Select Board must raise awareness similar to the schools' middle school campaign. Municipal consolidation could generate $4-17M positive balance by freeing properties for sale.

Comments from Mark, Stefan, and Tanya raising concerns about insufficient public outreach, agendas lacking detail, risks to 509 Bedford Street agricultural land and trails, and neighborhood impacts.

Review of existing studies, ARPA-funded feasibility analyses for Peabody/Ripley/Kaies/Church Street sites, MCI RFP status, and preparation for Article 12 funding request at town meeting. Public outreach portion of the working group charge was deferred until options were clearer; now committed to engagement before decisions. Planning funding request (under 1% of asset value) is needed now to create a roadmap; buildings risk failure and we are in 'failure mode' requiring urgency.

Discussion of challenges with overlapping advisory groups (MCI and land use) and need to organize work via staff or small committees; suggestions to be presented on the 16th. There was some crossover and some confusion about who was doing what in those things and I think we need to try to think about ways to to do that.

Proposal to organize a public event for recruiting volunteers to fill committee vacancies, possibly coupled with other events; discussion of timing relative to town meeting. I want to volunteer to try to organize some kind of event for the public that can come in and just ask questions about being a volunteer and give us an opportunity to promote some of the openings on the committees.

Reports on Bias and Hate focus groups (public invited), Tax Relief Committee progress (report targeted for April 16), Instant Reporting Group extension request to May 1, Road Safety prioritization planning status, and first meeting of Waters Pond Management Committee.

Motion to adjourn the meeting.