As a resident of Concord since 1981, Elise has an exceptional understanding of our town, its governance issues, and an extensive record of service, including: one term on the Board of Selectman (one year as Chair); two terms on the Finance Committee; two terms on the Zoning Board of Appeals (four years as Chair); many years on school building committees; PTG president at both Willard and the Middle Schools; and as a parent on the advisory committees of both the Middle and High Schools.

I believe this experience, in combination with Elise’s natural abilities, uniquely qualify her to contribute to our Board, and hope you will join me in supporting her for a second term as Selectman, and the continuity and leadership she will provide to our town government.

Milt Schwenk

Elise Woodward is running for election to Concord’s Board of Selectmen and I hope you will join me in supporting her candidacy.  As a long time resident of the town, Elise has been an active volunteer in our community serving on various boards and committees relating to school building projects, land use decision-making, and municipal finances.  In her professional life, she is a principal and architect with a major Boston based architectural firm.  These qualifications, of course, are impressive and will serve all of us well in a position on the Board.  But, equally important is Elise’s demonstrated ability and temperament for listening, respecting divergent opinions, and a willingness to risk changing one’s mind as we learn more about the diverse and complex issues facing communities today.

Please join me at the polls on March 6th in supporting Elise Woodward for Concord’s Board of Selectmen.

                                                            Gary Clayton, Center Village Drive

Thank you Elise Woodward!

Kudos to Elise for taking on another term as Selectman. She has been a wonderful addition to the Board. Demonstrating always, a respect, dignity and wisdom that has set her apart as one of our most effective leaders and Board contributors.

In todays reality, with so many minefields to be navigated while voyaging through uncertain times. I ,for one, am glad to see her steady hand return for a second term.

Concord is indeed fortunate to have citizens such as Elise who are willing to step forward and give of their time and talent. We are blessed to have such courage and dedication in our midst.

When next you see Elise give her thanks for “a job well done”, and offer best wishes for another fruitful term as Selectman.

                                                                    Fritz Kussin, Concord Greene

Of the73 parcels of land owned by the Town and the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District, the Solar Siting Committee has identified six sites as being suitable for hosting ground-based solar power systems and as worthy of further discussion and debate in Town. Together, these sites could accommodate approximately 12-19 megawatts of photovoltaic solar arrays. The Committee has also identified an additional three sites as being suitable but for which legislative or regulatory hurdles exist. Because the overhead of developing and operating solar arrays increases in terms of cost per unit of energy as the size decreases, the Committee limited its focus to sites that could support at least one megawatt (i.e., at least five acres).

The committee’s recommendation is a starting point for broader community discussion on how the sites should be used in the future.  All of the sites are likely to be controversial because of their current uses and/or for other potential uses in the  future.

The total amount of municipally-owned land identified by the Committee is not likely to be enough to support the Light Board’s goal of 25 megawatts in 25 years. Therefore, additional land may eventually have to be purchased or leased.  In the coming years as opportunities for ground-mounted solar installations are proposed, the Board of Selectmen will refer to the excellent analysis prepared by the Solar Siting Committee

“Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Brundtland Commission

In 2011, the Board of Selectmen established sustainability principles as a conceptual framework for Concord to advance sustainable practices in an integrated way. Adoption of a provision on Sustainability in the Town’s Administrative Practices and Procedures was also achieved in 2011.

1. Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals, and minerals.
2. Reduce dependence upon synthetic chemicals and other manufactured  substances.
3. Reduce encroachment upon nature.
4. Meet human needs fairly and efficiently.

• the challenge of managing budgets and tax burdens in a persistently weak economy;
• capital improvements forConcord-CarlisleRegional High School;
• the operation and capital expenses of Minuteman Regional Vocational and Technical High School;
• greater local control of municipal health care expenses;
• local option tax alternatives;
• final report of West Concord Task Force and establishing the West Concord Advisory Committee within the Planning Board
• final report of the Solar Siting Committee on Town-owned lands suitable for ground mounted solar installations;
• the 2229 Main StreetCommittee reported achievement of a milestone in working with U.S. E.P.A to clean up the Starmet site;
• approval of reconstruction of Concord-Carlisle Regional High School at the November Special Town Meeting;
• renewal of contracts with the Police and Fire Departments, the Concord Independent Battery, and the Town Manager;
• implementation of the Town Meeting vote on street lighting;
• updating the Town’s outdoor lighting policy and engaging a consultant to provide advice;
• implementation of the Town Meeting vote on incorporating sustainability considerations into Town operations;
• support for expansion of the Bottle Bill by the state legislature;
• moving and establishing the new location for the Caesar Robbins House;
• completing the purchase of the Rogers land and accepting conservation restrictions on the Rogers land and Concord Riverwalk;
• the potential acquisition of parcels for open space, agricultural land, and municipal purposes;
• licensing of pedicabs and pedicab drivers within the Town;
• working with the Town of Acton, MassDOT and MCI Concord on design for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (through the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Advisory Committee);
• assessing scope and coordination of services for Town residents in need;
• and creation of a discussion group within the Town on financial sustainability policy for the future.

The Board and the Town Manager established and coordinated their goals for 2011 (FY 2012) as in prior years: to maintain the Town’s financial stability and well-being; to promote near-term and long-range planning to maintain and enhance the Town’s unique character; to make and implement policy through effective Board organization, governance and communication; and to maintain and enhance the quality of Town services.  Specific objectives included promotion of energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy generation and providing training for volunteers on Town boards.

• sustainable energy practices recommended by the Comprehensive Sustainable Energy Committee;
• Zone C residential restrictions;
• continued planning for the future of West Concord, including potential formula business restrictions proposed by the Planning Board;
• masterplan and feasibility studies on the proposed reconstruction of Concord-Carlisle Regional High School;
• repairs to Town roads and bridges;
• working with the State and neighboring towns on the Route2/Crosby’s corner project;
• potential acquisitions of parcels for open space and agricultural land;
• an intermunicipal agreement for advanced life support services;
• considerations of proposals to install ground-mounted solar generation facilities on Town-owned land; support of affordable housing initiatives;
• Concord’s  375th Birthday Celebration.

• review of the Town’s continued participation in the Community Preservation Act;
• planning and completion of new playing fields;
• potential acquisition of parcels of open space and agricultural land;
• acceptance of several conservation restrictions and easements at the Nashoba School, Finigan’s Way and the Tyler land;
• continued planning for the future of West Concord through the West Concord Task Force;
• continued planning for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail through that committee;
• longterm planning for waste water treatment;
• completion of the Willard School;
• authorization of a long-term lease for Emerson Umbrella by Town Meeting;