Concord public works previews tree policy, compost site changes and PFAS treatment planning

Commissioners at the Town of Concord Public Works meeting on June 10, 2026 spent much of the session on program and capital priorities for FY27, including a draft public shade-tree policy, updates to compost-site operations, facilities and roof repairs, and preliminary work to address PFAS in groundwater.

Public shade-tree policy and inventory

Staff said they will draft a public shade-tree policy that defines public shade trees (trees in the public right-of-way or on town property outside conservation land), clarifies the process for removal requests, and sets a fee schedule. The department will also update the town’s tree inventory to include 250th-tree-planting initiative trees and ongoing plantings. Staff said the town typically budgets about $50,000 annually and plants 50–100 trees each year.

Compost site and recycling operations

The town’s yard-waste compost site is a seasonal, MassDEP-permitted yard-waste operation. Staff noted it is funded largely from the general fund and discussed proposals to tighten site access (a resident sticker program and fees to verify residency), install a cardboard compactor through the Waste Management contract, and explore organic composting options as part of future contract negotiations. Staff also emphasized that the compost site doubles seasonally as the town’s snow dump and that relocation or redevelopment of related sites would change operations.

Facilities backlog and capital work

Facilities manager Russ Carlstead described a backlog of maintenance and several capital projects, including roofing work at 133–135 Kais Road, ADA improvements, and structural repairs at municipal buildings. He said the town maintains an annual capital allowance of roughly $750,000 for such repairs and noted that several larger projects (e.g., a roof or major interior work) can push that balance higher; lead abatement at a red barn was flagged as a near-term contractor-driven remedy.

Water and wastewater: PFAS treatment planning

Darren Lefthalum, water and sewer superintendent, outlined work to procure engineering services for pilot testing and design of two PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) groundwater treatment systems at town well sites. He said one previously planned site near the municipal light plant and rotary is under review because MassDOT design concepts affect potential siting, and staff are coordinating with regional partners to identify the most economical and durable solution. "We will be obtaining engineering services to initiate pilot testing and design of two PFAS groundwater treatment plants," Lefthalum said.

Meters, SCADA and wastewater plant upgrades

Staff reported 24% of an automated meter system has been installed since September and that the town will solicit procurement to subcontract installations to speed completion. Department leaders also said they will secure firewall and secure-login upgrades for SCADA supervisory systems, replace aging clarifier drives at the wastewater plant, and continue a multi-year inflow-and-infiltration inspection and repair program across ~32 miles of sewer main.

Next steps

Staff will return with drafts for the public shade-tree policy and formal proposals on compost-site fees and card-board compactor installation. The department will solicit engineering proposals for PFAS pilot plants and present findings as design work proceeds.

Attribution: Quotes and specific program figures are attributed to town staff and department heads speaking at the June 10, 2026 meeting.