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Working group asks select board to create public safety buildings committee, prioritizes West Concord fire station
Summary
The Land Use Working Group voted to recommend creation of a public safety buildings committee and advised that its initial priority review should be the West Concord fire station, followed by police headquarters and the Concord Center substation.
The Concord Land Use Working Group voted to recommend that the select board establish a public safety buildings committee and advised a priority order for facility review beginning with a West Concord fire station, then the police headquarters, and subsequently the Concord Center substation.
The committee discussed the need for a rapid, consultant‑backed assessment of public safety infrastructure because anticipated growth (members cited projections tied to MCI and other development) will change service demands. Paul Bone and other committee members said the new body should undertake capacity and population projections and be prepared to work with town staff on acquisition and financing strategies.
A motion to establish the committee and adopt the priority list passed on a roll‑call vote with recorded yes votes from Rob Almeida, Keith Bergman, Paul Bone, Matt Boger, Mary Hartman, Judith Long, Mark Martinez, and Linda Miller.
Why it matters: members stressed that rising housing and population expectations in the west part of town increase the urgency for modernized public safety facilities. The committee flagged acquisition and funding as key implementation issues that the new committee or staff functions will need to resolve.
Next steps: the recommendation asks the select board to create the committee, to charge it with population and capital planning for public safety needs, and to provide a scope of work (a one‑page scope/priority list was discussed).
