ADA Compliant Sidewalk Ramps; Community Food Plan; Medical Reserve Corps

The following information comes from Town Manager Christopher Whelan's weekly report.

The Concord Public Works Department has begun preliminary survey and design for the 2012 sidewalk maintenance program. The sections of sidewalks tentatively included in the plan are on Fairhaven Road, Monument Square, Commonwealth Avenue, Old Bedford Road, Fox Lane, Belknap Street, Grant Street, and the Rideout Playground parking lot.

Also included in the preliminary plan is the installation of ADA compliant ramps on sidewalks along Old Bedford Road, Bedford Street, Main Street, and Walden Street. According to Whelan's report, the design will be completed in the coming weeks, with public hearings, outreach, and bid preparation taking place to allow work to begin in mid to late spring.

Similarly, CPW has completed bid documents for the 2012 road crack sealing project. Bids will open on Feb. 17. The tentative list of roads scheduled for crack filling include sections of Monument Square, Upland Road, Lexington Road, Lowell Road, Edgewood Road, Old Marlboro Road, and Pine Street. Alternative roads for the plan include sections of Emerson Road, Annursnac Hill Road, Stow Street, Harrington Avenue, Old Bedford Road, Nashawtuc Road, Central Street, and Sudbury Road.

The project is expected to begin on or around April 1 in order to have the Patriots Day Parade route ready in time for the holiday.

The Health Division is looking for volunteers for the Concord Medical Reserve Corps.

According to Whelan's report, "Concord’s Medical Reserve Corps is a committed group of volunteers, with and without medical backgrounds, who help keep our community safe by responding to public health emergencies. Recent events have taught us that all towns and cities need to be ready for anything, including natural disasters, terrorism, and disease. By volunteering, you can help ensure that all of Concord’s citizens, especially the most vulnerable, receive the care they need during a public health crisis. This might include staffing a shelter, assisting at an immunization clinic, or being available to respond to a natural disaster such as an ice storm, flood, or tornado."

A public meeting will be held for volunteers on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. at the Department of Planning and Land Management on Keyes Road.

Planning Division

The Planning Board, this week, approved the site plan for new athletic facility on Fairhaven Road. 

Earlier this month, the Historic Districts Commission approved certificates of appropriateness for sings, lights, air conditioner components, and changes to the facade of an Independence Court home; and approved the new additions, front porch, and paint color of a home on Lang Street.

Members of the Planning Division met with personnel from the Natural Resources Division and two graduate students from the Conway School of Landscape Design recently as well.

According to Whelan's report, the students will be preparing a food security plan for Concord, and will hold a public input meeting on Feb. 2 and a feedback meeting later in March. The ultimate goal of the group is to "provide a baseline of existing resources and conditions, with recommendations identified for future action."

Click here to read Whelan's complete weekly report.