Town Meeting: ConcordCAN Explains Its Positions on Warrant Articles

The following information was provided by Concord's Climate Action Network, also known as ConcordCAN!

ConcordCAN! has taken positions on several warrant articles coming up at the April Town Meeting.  Our Steering Group is unanimously and publicly calling for:

• A yes vote on Article 12, which would authorize the Selectmen to sell a land-use restriction to the Walden Woods Project, committing the Town to limit future activities on the former landfill site. (Requires a two-thirds vote.)
• A no vote on Article 13, which would authorize the use of Concord Public School capital funds to develop bus transportation infrastructure on the former landfill site. (Requires a two-thirds vote.)
• A no vote on Article 30, which would repeal in its entirety the bottled water by-law that was adopted at last year’s Town Meeting and is now in effect.
• A yes vote on Article 52, which would enable the Town to acquire the McGrath property on Barrett’s Mill Road for the purpose of permanently protecting the farmland. (Requires a two-thirds vote.)

Articles 12, 13, and 30 are all complex and controversial; and a few votes may make a real difference in the outcome. Please make a special effort, if you are a Concord voter, to be there for these critical votes.

Article 12 and 13 will come up almost immediately on Monday evening.  Article 30 is pre-scheduled for consideration at 7:30 pm on Wednesday. Please make sure that you are present for the votes on these important articles, each of which challenges us to think hard about what is most consistent with sustainable community. 

We urge you to consider each article using the four sustainability principles adopted by the Town of Concord in July 2011, as follows: 

• Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals, and minerals; 
• Reduce dependence upon synthetic chemicals and other manufactured substances; 
• Reduce encroachment upon nature; and 
• Meet human needs fairly and efficiently. 

Parking at this Town Meeting will be extremely tight due to the construction at CCHS; arrive as early as possible!  Extra parking will be available at Alcott School and the Concord Courthouse, with shuttle buses to the High School.