Town Meeting: Article 15 Fails, CMLP Internet Expansion Funded

By turns tense and workmanlike, Concord's annual Town Meeting on Tuesday tackled 11 articles on Tuesday night, voting down only a petitioner's bid to "Address Educational and Fiscal Concerns in the Concord Public Schools."

  Below you'll find a summary of articles and actions from the second night of Concord's annual Town Meeting, held Tuesday, April 23 at Concord-Carlisle High School. For opening night coverage, click here. And be sure to stay tuned to Patch for continuing coverage of Town Meeting. Article 8, Concord Public School Renovations Town Meeting easily passed a $795,000 appropriation for remodeling, reconstructing, extraordinary repairs or related work at various Concord Public Schools. According to Maureen Spada, the presenter for the School Committee, the lion’s share of these funds will be put toward electrical improvements, roofing and HVAC work at the Peadoby and Sanborn schools, while a smaller portion will go toward heating and paving work …

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Valerie Tratnyek

12:13 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I believe the school committee member meant "parents". He was talking about the new educator evaluator system that the Department of Education is putting into place, and I believe there is a parent survey as part of it. That is something I will follow up on. It is important to note, that like the TELL (teacher survey) the results will be only be analyzed and posted by the Dept. of Ed if they get …   more ›

Selectmen Talk Power Supply, Solar, Electric Cars with CMLP Director

David Wood, the Light Plant Director, went before the selectmen Monday night to talk about the latest from the town's power source.

Monday night, the Board of Selectmen listened to and quizzed Concord Municipal Light Plant Director David Wood about his work so far this year and intended projects for the future. Power Supply and Contracts Wood began by talking about the town's power supply, saying the contract with Morgan Stanley, Concord's main power supplier, will be up by the end of the summer. Morgan Stanley provides Concord with approximately 77 percent of its energy. Wood has already secured some smaller contracts to break up the single, massive deal and is hoping to get better prices by focusing on three-year or longer contracts, which Wood called, "moving in the right direction" in terms of saving the town money on its energy consumption. 13 Percent Wood then …

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Putting a Charge into Grounded Energy Efforts?

Article 33 is resident David Allen's idea for picking up where plans for a solar array fell off over the past few years, but key decision-makers say economics, as well as the environment, are an important part of the town's energy equation.

  According to its petitioner, Article 33, labeled the Town Sustainable Electricity Acquisition Process, is a follow-up to 2010's Article 64 which voted to install a solar array in Concord. The 2010 article passed, and a company was chosen to install the array, but the process was never carried out. Following Article 64's fizzle, the Concord Campaign for Quality Governance created a detailed report of what went wrong, and now the citizen's group's leader, David Allen, is ready to take the next step to get the town's grounded energy efforts back on track. Allen is one of the key driving forces behind Article 33. According to his website, concord-trustingtheprocess.org, the article “is about reducing greenhouse impact.” It's also about …

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D.C.J.

11:50 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012

On the contrary Reverand, Mr. Allen most certainly does get it. His plan reaches far into the future of Concord, not for a short term cheap solution. Quality is always better in the long run. Penny wise and pound foolish harms all - that is what will "muck it up", as you say. And quite frankly, I am at a loss as to how this is "wrong." Does not the future of our children and grandchildren concern…   more ›

About Town

Bicycles Come Full Cycle/Up to the Plate

PD gives CPW new mode of transportation.

Hello, and yes, it’s Friday, the most sought-after day of the week. We’re here! We made it! And since the weather is predicted to be exquisite, we shall all have a great weekend. A few things before we do, though... Rebate to Keep Cool in the Heat Did you purchase an ENERGY STAR quality air conditioner or refrigerator recently? If so, check out the Concord Municipal Light Plant’s website to see if you qualify for a rebate. Qualifying air conditioners may be eligible for a $50 rebate, and refrigerators, a $150 rebate. The paperwork is quick and easy, and well worth it. ENERGY STAR is a program of the federal government to help consumers, such as you and me, simultaneously preserve our natural resources and cash flows. GR8TNWZ? Great News! …

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Concord Light Anticipates Peak Demand and Harvey Wheeler Open for Cooling

The town issues two advisories in response to high temperatures.

With a couple more scorchers on tap for today and tomorrow, the town has taken some precautions and issued two advisories. The Harvey Wheeler Community Center on Main Street will be open to the public today and Friday from noon until 9 p.m. for use as a cooling center for anyone who needs to get out of the nearly 100-degree heat. "Basically we're doing what we can to provide respite in a place for people who don't have air conditioning," Fire Chief Mark Cotreau said. Residents are also reminded that both branches of the Concord Public Library — the Main and Fowler branches — are air conditioned and open to the pubilc. Those requiring transportation to a cooling center may call the Council on Aging at (978) 318-3020 during regular business …

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About Town

Update: Online is Offline; Sudbury Road Delays Expected

An issue with the Light Dept. and construction on Sudbury Road.

Who knew the Concord Municipal Light Plant would dominate today’s post? Not me! In fact, I don't think I've ever met with such publicity hounds. Here is another entry for that town department, which is no longer underpublicized. If you pay your bill to the CMLP online and it is due this week, you may want to additionally “seek alternate routes.” For some unexplained reason, the department is having a problem with its online billing system. The fix may be a week away, so if your bill is due, you can drop off payment at the Town House or at the CMLP office near the Acton line. Certainly, you want to get your payment in on time, as "the check is in the email," won't fly. You may also call in a payment to 978-318-3101. And while you have them …

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