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Concord board faces questions over $200K+ loader purchase and repayment plan
Summary
Residents and board members pressed the Select Board over a large equipment purchase and how it was financed, citing a 2007 voter requirement for major non-budgetary appropriations and asking for a written promissory note to repay the Connecticut River fund; a special meeting was scheduled for March 17 to resolve outstanding accounting and documentation questions.
A prolonged discussion at the meeting focused on a recent heavy-equipment purchase (described in the record as a loader) and how the town financed it. Several speakers said the board paid roughly $242,000 for the equipment and that the money was moved between town funds (including the Connecticut River fund) rather than placed on the warrant for voter approval. One participant pressed the board: "I don't understand why the board spent $242,000 and didn't bring it to the people," calling the process "irresponsible" and asking whether a note or other written record would be created to formalize repayment.
Board members and attendees also reviewed the town's 2024 storm reimbursement figures, which were raised in the same discussion: total storm costs reported were $1,046,412.70, with FEMA reimbursing 75% ($784,836.13), leaving the town with an unpaid share of $261,603.14. A board member noted a 2007 vote requiring that non‑budgetary appropriations over $5,000 go to Australian ballot, and attendees urged the board to research minutes, prepare written repayment terms (a promissory note was suggested) and hold a special meeting with auditors and former board members to clarify the process. The board agreed to seek documentation and scheduled a special meeting for March 17 at 5:00 p.m. to pursue resolution.
"You spent that in 2024. You have 200,000 that you have not been reimbursed," a speaker said, urging the board to account for the transaction and to document repayment. Another participant referenced the town's prior vote and the auditors' advice that major purchases should be put in the budget or brought to voters.
The board did not take a formal final vote at the meeting to change the financing; instead, members directed staff to research minutes and prepare options so the board can formalize repayment terms at the scheduled special meeting.
