Civic Concord

Deputy Town Manager Megan Zammuto talks with Concord's Fire Chief Brian Whitney about the Town's transition from a regional Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider to an in-house service operated by the Concord Fire Department. Learn why the Town is making this change, how the department has prepared, and what it means for emergency medical services in Concord.

What does the Community Development Department do, and how does its work shape everyday life in Concord?

 In this episode, we talk with Community Development Director Alyssa Sandoval about the department’s role in coordinating planning, development, public health, building safety, historic and natural resource protection, and other services that help shape Concord’s future. The department brings together four divisions whose work touches everything from zoning and development applications to wetlands, public health, building inspections, and long-range planning. 

We also hear from the leaders of each division: Kevin Pickering, Building Commissioner; Melanie Dineen, Public Health Director; Delia Kaye, Natural Resources Director; and Elizabeth Hughes, Town Planner. Together, they explain what their teams do, how their work connects, and what residents should know about the services and responsibilities of Community Development.

Host Megan Zammuto talks with Eve Isenberg, Chair of Community Preservation Committee.

In this episode of Civic Concord, we explore Article 35, a proposal that would update local zoning governing wireless infrastructure. You’ll hear how the current bylaw has shaped where facilities can be located, and how the proposed changes aim to better reflect today’s technology while maintaining local oversight.

In this episode of Civic Concord, you’ll hear from Sven Weber, co-chair of the Land Use Working Group, about the next phase of municipal facilities planning. Building on months of analysis, he shares what the group learned about Concord’s existing facilities, the priority areas identified, and how this work connects to emerging land opportunities. The conversation also looks ahead to how this next phase will help translate ideas into actionable plans through deeper analysis, cost estimates, and continued community engagement.

How does Concord build its annual budget?

In this episode of Civic Concord, Town Manager Kerry Lafleur and CFO Jennifer Barrett walk through the FY27 budget process—from early planning to Town Meeting. They explain how priorities are set, what drives costs, and how the Town balances maintaining services with long-term financial planning.

A clear, behind-the-scenes look at how the budget comes together and what it means for residents.

This episode of Civic Concord focuses on Article 34, which proposes updates to Concord’s mixed-use development bylaw. The conversation features Planning Board member Sue Felshin, who explains what mixed-use development means in a Concord context, why the current bylaw has been difficult to implement, and how the proposed changes aim to support housing options, commercial vitality, and walkable village centers.

This episode of Civic Concord breaks down Articles 13, 14, and 15 for the 2026 Town Meeting, focusing on the Concord Public Schools operating budget, capital plan, and Concord’s share of the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District budget. The conversation features Regional School Committee Chair Tracey Morano and Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter discussing key drivers, staffing and enrollment trends, major investments, and what residents should understand heading into Town Meeting.

In this episode, Planning Board member Rob Almeida explains why the amendment is being proposed, what changes it would make, and how it relates to the state’s MBTA Communities law and compliance deadline.

In this episode, Megan speaks with Concord Town Moderator Carmin Reiss about the upcoming 2026 Annual Town Meeting. We talk about how Town Meeting works, what residents can expect this year, and how people can participate in the decision-making process. Whether you are a longtime Town Meeting voter or attending for the first time, this conversation offers helpful insight into Concord’s open town meeting tradition.