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Select Board — April 6, 2026

The meeting was marked by high-stakes public comments regarding personal attacks on staff, political definitions of antisemitism, and allegations of board member misconduct.

Date Monday, April 6, 2026 Duration 3.0h Speakers 18 Public comments 7 Decisions 12 Spirited
▶ Video

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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.
  • Proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April -6, 2026). (Approved)
  • Appointment of Andrew Boardman to the Community Preservation Committee. (Approved)
  • Reappointments to Library Committee (Pamela Reston, James Fahey), Financial Audit Advisory Committee (Christopher Schaffner), and Zoning Board of Appeals (Stephen Newbold). (Approved)
  • Proclamation honoring Honorary Firefighter Jesse Carney for medical emergency response on a JetBlue flight. (Approved)
  • New five-year agreement with the Concord Independent Battery Union and approval of specific firing dates. (Approved)
Apr 6, 2026 3.0h long 18 speakers 7 public comments 12 decisions Spirited
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“Anonymous allegations cannot be treated with the same level of effort as the motivations of such communications can sometimes be simply to consume resources unnecessarily.”

— Unidentified speaker · Opening remarks on public discourse and civility. ▶ 00:50

“We do have the duty and responsibility to support and defend our town employees from this kind of personal attack.”

— Ned Perry · Public comment regarding the targeting of the Natural Resources Director. ▶ 07:36

“We are at a point where everybody feels collectively that the services that we're providing to Concord residents would be negatively impacted if we continue down this path [regarding shared nursing].”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussion on the termination of the Maynard nursing agreement. ▶ 57:54

“I would propose that the select board member that represents the board on this be the chair, because I think that it's so important.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the leadership structure and necessary oversight for the MCI Master Plan Committee. ▶ 1:22:47

“We need a very local, qualified perspective in there [West Concord] because if we don't, it looks like we're ignoring the very local public interest.”

— Unidentified speaker · Advocating for specific community representation on the new committee. ▶ 1:43:16

“Succession planning is particularly challenging when you have so many very distinct functions that are actually quite lightly staffed.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing organizational resilience and the difficulty of maintaining continuity in small departments like the Assessor's office or Cemetery department. ▶ 2:29:50

“Words matter. Words and interpretation of words matter.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the necessity of precise language in the January 27th minutes addendum regarding email distribution. ▶ 2:53:13
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Consolidation of services into a single full-time position, terminating a shared agreement with Maynard.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The Chair addressed the community regarding anonymous allegations against officials, emphasizing the importance of verifiable information and the distinction between anonymity and confidentiality.

Speakers: Jim Smith, Unidentified speaker, Ned Perry
What was discussed

Multiple speakers expressed concern regarding an anonymous website containing personal attacks and misinformation targeting Director Delia Kay.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Wendy Holt, AJ Turnator
What was discussed

Public comments were received regarding the town's adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, with residents requesting amendments to protect free speech and political criticism of Israel.

Speakers: Deborah Dorfman
What was discussed

A resident raised concerns regarding a Select Board member's email criticizing the town's proposed bias and hate reporting system.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Updates provided on broadband maintenance, budget and capital article presentations, and upcoming joint meetings.

Speakers: Melanie Deneen, Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The Public Health Director proposed terminating the shared nursing agreement with the Town of Maynard to consolidate into a single full-time position serving both the Public Health Division and the Council on Aging. Discussion continued on the transition from a part-time geriatric nurse/public health nurse split to a single full-time 40-hour public health nurse to improve recruitment and coverage.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Debate over the proposed charge for the new MCI Master Plan Committee, focusing on membership size (agreed on 7), specific duties regarding commercial interests, and coordination with the Land Use Working Group.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion on dissolving the existing MCI Advisory Board as its functions will be assumed by the new MCI Master Plan Committee. The board moved to formally dissolve the MCI Advisory Board.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion on revising the Land Use Working Group's charge to clarify deliverables as they conclude their current phase of work, including adjusting the phase two deadline to the end of July and removing certain public outreach requirements.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

An update on the fiscal year incentive pay program, noting progress on employee goals, completion rates of check-ins, and a discussion on aligning employee goals with Select Board and Town Manager categories.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board reviewed proposed categories for future Select Board goals, such as Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Effective and Transparent Government, and Resilience and Sustainability.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion and approval of revisions to policy APB 10, including removing the moderator role, clarifying appointment authority (Town Manager vs. Select Board), and defining term end dates.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Review and discussion of an addendum to the January 27th minutes, specifically addressing corrections regarding the distribution of emails and the nature of requested communications.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Updates from various committees including the Tax Relief Evaluation Task Force, 40B projects, and the Financial Audit Advisory Committee.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Targeting of Natural Resources Director via anonymous website

An anonymous website is allegedly making personal attacks and spreading misinformation about a town official, leading to calls for legal action and protection of civil servants.
Board position: The board and Town Manager signaled a commitment to defending the employee and are exploring legal/police remedies.
high concern
02

Adoption of IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

Residents are concerned that the IHRA definition may be used to stifle political speech and criticism of Israel, requesting instead frameworks like the Jerusalem Declaration.
Board position: The board did not provide a direct response or stance during the public comment session.
high concern
03

Bias and Hate Reporting System Criticism

A resident alleged that a Select Board member's communications misrepresented and undermined the work of a citizen volunteer group regarding hate reporting.
Board position: The board did not address the specific complaint during the meeting.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
7
Total speakers
3
Addressed
0
Partial
4
Not addressed
Jim Smith
▶ 02:02
Addressed
Speaking on behalf of the Natural Resources Commission, he addressed an anonymous website that has been making personal attacks on the Director of Natural Resources. He emphasized that such behavior is contrary to the town's tradition of civil discourse. Key concern
The proliferation of an anonymous, defamatory website targeting a town official.
Board response
The Town Manager addressed the issue later in the meeting, stating they are working with the Town Council and Police Department to address the matter.
The Town Manager provided an update on the legal and investigative steps being taken to address the website.
Jeff
▶ 04:00
Addressed
Representing 92 community members, he condemned the 'bullying behavior' of an anonymous website targeting Delia Kay. He requested that the Select Board and Town Manager take action to defend the civil servant from harassment. Key concern
Bullying and defamatory behavior directed at a town employee via an anonymous website.
Board response
The Town Manager addressed the issue later in the meeting, stating they are working with the Town Council and Police Department to address the matter.
The Town Manager confirmed that the town is investigating the issue with legal and police counsel.
Ned Perry
▶ 07:08
Addressed
He expressed concern over a planned campaign to discredit the Director of Natural Resources through a website and negative emails. He recommended the Board meet in executive session to discuss steps to have the offending website removed. Key concern
Protecting town employees from personal attacks and requesting executive session to discuss legal remedies against the website.
Board response
The Town Manager addressed the issue later in the meeting, stating they are working with the Town Council and Police Department to address the matter.
The Town Manager confirmed that they are actively working with the Town Council and Police to resolve the situation.
Speaker SPEAKER_09
▶ 09:14
Not addressed
The speaker argued against the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, suggesting it can be used to silence criticism of Israel. They requested the Board amend or drop the definition from the town's proclamation. Key concern
The use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in town proclamations and its impact on free speech.
The board did not provide a direct response to this speaker during the public comment section.
Wendy Holt
▶ 12:21
Not addressed
She urged the board to amend the town's antisemitism proclamation to specifically exclude IHRA examples to protect free speech. She suggested the Jerusalem Declaration on antisemitism as a better guiding resource. Key concern
Amending the town's proclamation to ensure criticisms of the Israeli government are not categorized as antisemitic.
The board did not provide a direct response to this speaker.
Deborah Dorfman
▶ 15:14
Not addressed
She objected to Select Board member Cameron McKenna's emails which she claimed misrepresented the purpose of a proposed bias and hate reporting system. She argued that his comments undermine the work of citizen volunteers. Key concern
A Select Board member's alleged inaccurate portrayal and undermining of the town's bias reporting system workgroup.
The board did not address this specific complaint during the public comment section.
AJ Turnator
▶ 20:09
Not addressed
The speaker requested the town reverse its endorsement of the IHRA definition in favor of frameworks like the Jerusalem Declaration. They expressed concern that the current definition is being used to chill political speech and harm local culture. Key concern
The potential for the IHRA definition to be used punitively against residents and staff expressing pro-Palestinian views.
The board did not provide a response to this speaker.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April -6, 2026).
Unanimous approval.
Approved
Appointment of Andrew Boardman to the Community Preservation Committee.
Term beginning June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2029.
Approved
Reappointments to Library Committee (Pamela Reston, James Fahey), Financial Audit Advisory Committee (Christopher Schaffner), and Zoning Board of Appeals (Stephen Newbold).
Approved as a slate, excluding Andrew Boardman who was voted on separately.
Approved
Proclamation honoring Honorary Firefighter Jesse Carney for medical emergency response on a JetBlue flight.
Unanimous approval.
Approved
New five-year agreement with the Concord Independent Battery Union and approval of specific firing dates.
Includes dates for April 11, April 19, April 20, May 25, and November 11.
Approved
Proclamation celebrating Concord Pride Fest and authorization for decorative flags.
To take place on June 6, 2026.
Approved
Early termination of the shared public health nursing agreement with the Town of Maynard.
The agreement was intended to run through June 2027.
Approved
Nomination of Wendy Revelli as the Select Board representative for the MCI Master Plan Committee.
The board agreed to nominate her to represent the board and maintain continuity with DCAM coordination.
Approved
Dissolution of the MCI Advisory Board.
The board voted to dissolve the board to make way for the more focused Master Plan Committee.
Passed
Approval of revisions to the Land Use Working Group charge.
Changes included adjusting the phase two deadline to the end of July and removing certain public outreach requirements.
Passed
Approval of revisions to policy APB 10.
Revisions included removing the moderator, clarifying appointment designations, and adjusting term end date language.
Passed
Approval of the January 27th minutes addendum.
Included the discussed cover sheet and corrected descriptions of email communications.
Passed

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Meet in executive session with the Town Manager to discuss the offensive website/campaign.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: Preferably this evening
If website is not removed, schedule executive session with Town Council.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: April 13, 2026
Redistribute memo regarding Article 31 (permanent memorial) for review.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: This week
Conduct broadband maintenance/upgrades.
Assigned: Town Manager/Staff · Due: April 9, April 30, and May 7, 2026
Send potential committee nominations and qualifications to Wendy Revelli.
Assigned: Select Board Members · Due: Prior to the next meeting on April 21st
Revise the MCI Master Plan Committee charge to include agreed-upon changes (size, commercial duties, specific coordination language) and typos.
Assigned: a speaker (Mark) · Due: Next meeting
Compile a list of nominations for the Select Board to consider.
Assigned: Wendy Revelli · Due: April 21st
Tweak the charge for the new committee/list of names.
Assigned: Mark (a speaker)
Prepare a formal thanks to the NCI Advisory Board.
Assigned: a speaker
Update the MIDI list to include designations for which committee appointments require Select Board approval vs. Town Manager appointment.
Assigned: Kristen
Meet on Tuesday the 21st at 6:00 PM.
Assigned: Select Board · Due: 2026-04-21
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-30.