West Concord advisory committee approves updated 2010 master‑plan matrix; adds Church Street sidewalks to work list

The West Concord Advisory Committee voted March 5 to adopt an updated status matrix based on the 2010 West Concord Master Plan and to post the document on the town website for public input.

The committee’s action, moved and described on the record by Susan (chair, West Concord Advisory Committee), was intended to deliver a consolidated, up‑to‑date list of recommended projects and their status to the consultants working with the town’s MCI effort. “I make a motion that this updated matrix is our final, assessment of the status of the West Concord master plan, which was issued in 2010,” Susan said before the vote.

Why it matters: the committee said the matrix will be handed to the MCI consultants and the MCI committee to inform near‑term planning and outreach. The group also agreed to post the matrix on the Town of Concord website with a request that residents and other committees submit corrections or updates.

Key decisions and follow‑up

- Adoption of updated matrix: Committee members voted to finalize the updated matrix and release it for consultant review and public comment. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee agreed the chair (Susan) would clean up the document for submission and posting.

- Addition of Church Street sidewalks item: After members described narrow, damaged sidewalks and tree‑root damage on Church Street between Main Street and Commonwealth/Com Ave, the committee added a new row (referred to in the meeting as “row 78”) to the matrix to capture that pedestrian safety issue. The committee described the Church Street condition as “sidewalks in very bad condition” and marked it high priority; the chair said she would refine the new row before posting.

- Posting and crowdsource updates: Members agreed the posted matrix should include contact information (the chair or planning staff) so committee members and residents can send corrections or notify the committee of work already underway.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from the committee’s prior meeting: Yes — Barbara (committee member), Linda (committee member), Greg (committee member), Allison (committee member); Abstain — 1 member (not specified). Outcome: approved.

- Motion to adopt the updated West Concord master‑plan matrix as the committee’s final assessment and to add the Church Street sidewalks entry (row 78): Motion made by Susan (chair); seconded (name not specified). Outcome: approved by voice vote (committee members voiced “aye” and the chair declared the motion adopted). Specific roll‑call votes were not recorded in the transcript.

Discussion highlights and context

Committee members walked through the matrix row by row, updating status and priority for items such as Main Street and Com Ave streetscape elements, gateway/wayfinding signage, informational kiosks, and historic interpretation panels. John, Greg and others described portions of Main Street and Junction Park as partially complete; several members said improvements such as benches and planters exist around Junction Park but that narrow sidewalks near the bridge and on Church Street remain problematic.

Members emphasized the matrix’s role as a working document to give the MCI consultants a current picture of local priorities. Susan said she had incorporated notes from Elizabeth (planning staff) and would add photos and clarifying language where useful before posting. The committee also agreed to invite community input once the matrix is published online.

Related committee updates

Several liaisons reported other local planning activity: the Recreation Commission is considering converting a half basketball court to pickleball and is expected to vote on options in April; the MCI committee will present to the West Concord advisory committee at the April meeting (scheduled April 2); and Jennifer Schuneman, identified in the meeting as a guitar‑museum owner/developer, is expected to appear at next month’s meeting to present a development update.

What’s next

Susan (chair) will finalize the matrix text (including the newly added Church Street sidewalks row), send it to planning staff for posting on the Town of Concord website, and include contact instructions for residents to submit updates. The committee plans to accept emailed corrections or status updates and to revisit the posted matrix if other committees or staff provide new information. The MCI presentation is scheduled for April 2, 2025.