Betsy Olsson-Mackowski
Everyone benefits when they live in walkable areas!

Martin Alejandro Padilla
I beg that the town builds a walkway or path to keep pedestrians safe. Truthfully, there is no safe way to get from Harrington Ave neighborhood to downtown West Concord. Think about a mother pushing a stroller, a kid wanting to get an ice cream, joggers/runners/walkers or just commuters who would love to take the train and not own a 2nd car... or families that could walk downtown for a bite or soccer matches at cousins park... if the path is too expensive, just build a path and a bridge over the river! I hope we don't need to wait for an accident to be understood.

Valeria Petracchi
Add a bike lane or sidewalk on Harrington Ave. Even having Marshalls Farm where many neighbors could ealk, they have to drive because Harrington Ave is a very dangerous road. Commuters drive at crazy speeds and bypass runners, bikers, pedestrians and even little kids on bikes. My kids got yelled at multiple times and I am afraid this won't be a priority until someone gets ran over. All this West concord community could walk to downtown West Concord and Thoreau school if only we had a safe way/ path to walk on...

Tanya Gailus
The Tree-Preservation-Subcommittee was duly dissolved after Town-Meeting 2017. There have been delays in implementing the Tree Bylaw. It was sent late to the AG, in July. Was on town website in October. Rules and regulations are still being worked out. A modest bylaw affecting only periphery and only major construction. Meanwhile, unnecessary tree loss is continuing, as simply to allow for a slightly bigger lawn in new construction-not because a house is to be built on that location. I also agree that we need to look into a more comprehensive discussion/bylaw for preserving "significant trees" - like 100yr old oak trees. I don't usually write sentimentally in town matters. But yesterday, such a tree (100 yr. oak) was taken down across the street from us, and it literally sounded like a "cry" as it fell..A number of peripheral tall pine trees were taken down, too, just to expand the future lawn. One has to- and does- respect the existing rights of land owners, including developers. But this is also why our town staff has to act with more diligence in making sure our bylaws are implemented in a timely manner. There is often a lack of communication among town departments as well. So, yes, we need to look into tree preservation in more detail and with more thorough understanding of ecology than the Tree Subcommittee was able to do.- and deal with TM bylaws in a more conscientious manner.

Martin Alejandro Padilla
A bus between Acton's business areas, Concord and West Concord would be a great way of getting rid of 1 of 2 cars in a family. Specially because you can bike in the summer, but not in the winter...

Ruthy Bennett
Some kind of shuttle all over Concord so people dont have to drive their car for a short trip or kids can have another option besides being driven.

Mark Hanson
Electric trains are a great idea as it would facilitate providing better, more reliable service. Electrifying the line is an expense, but the reduction in operating costs over time and the lower cost of vehicles would more than make up the difference.

Sanford Feman
Electrify the commuter rail and eliminate diesel locomotives.

I think that parking "solution " isn't good at all. I never had a problem parking in the center and talking to others from Lexington, they always mentioned how easy parking is in Concord.

Bill Montague
If the Prison closes, that is rumored, Make that very large ares into affordable condos or apparent buildings. Where people can walk to West Concord center where there is almost anything one would need. Even the Post office is near by.

Erin Cusker
Sidewalks on 2A with connection to Acton and future Bruce Freeman Railtrail

West Concord, Concord center, especially crossing Rte 2 and connecting to the commuter rail.

Bill Montague
Hi Mark, Yes I was thinking of a separate Commuter Parking lot that would be fenced in and guarded. Perhaps pay $1.00 for all day for computers to they would not be taking up valuable Town parking spaces. They already have a huge lot in Acton for this purpose. Just copy that an put it half way between Acton, and West Concord. It could be owned by the MBTA etc.

Mark Hanson
trips to the MBTA depot locations in Concord and West Concord should be coordinated to coincide with the arrival/departure of inbound and outbound trains to integrate our local transit with metro area transit.

Bill Montague
Yes a small bus that makes the rounds all day for those who do not want to drive or even have a car. West Concord, - Depot Area - Concord Center p Crosby's parking lot.

Lori Pazaris
The word sustainability can be defined in terms of leaving our children with the natural resources they will need for a healthy future. Sustainability must be considered and built into all aspects of the comprehensive plan. Energy is just one segment of sustainability. Maintaining and protecting open space using fewer materials in construction and other projects etc are examples.

Joe Stein
Am I the only one who finds this pro-development question "Where does farming fit in Concord's future" offensive? Concord has a rich tradition of agriculture and I believe the Town should do everything it can to ensure it remains so for the next several generations.

Joe Stein
Trees provide a number of important ecological and environmental services, as well as improve property values and "town character". But trees are experiencing increasing stress from road salt, infestations (pine trees are dying all over town), and climate (ie,tar spot due to prolonged wet conditions). I propose the Town consider creating a formal Tree Committee modeled after other successful committees within MA. The committee may be charged with promoting shade tree plantings, soliciting ideas for tree replacement, managing tree dedications, etc. Towns such as Lexington, MA have an active Tree Committee and dedicated town website. Concord should consider the same (I would happily serve as volunteer).

Peter DeRosa
Look for ways to connect high density residential areas to the town centers, job clusters, and regional transportation hubs. Plan all future dense housing with this in mind.

Lori Pazaris
Would it make sense for Concord to consider purchasing already built smaller homes fand renting to town workers at affordable prices.? This could limit the tear down trend and minimize expanding our built environment.

Tanya Gailus
When consultant keeps saying "change is going to happen whether we want it or not" or something to that effect, one wonders: Is anyone claiming otherwise? (Doubtful.) The question that then comes to mind is: Is consultant trying to pre-advocate for certain preferences, specifically: not just for conceivably appropriate development, but also for pre-arranged , pre-determined reduction policies in conservation measures, to smooth the road for any not-necessary development. Not dissimilar to some of the policies of the current national administration. Ideas perhaps especially based on closed door meetings with for-profit interests and with town management personnel some of whom have expressed resistance (per draft report) to natural preservation initiatives. This "baking- in implementation" approach raises concerns, especially when meetings with developers have taken place behind closed doors, and also since consultant has resisted similar meetings with conservation groups. Whatever improved transparency the CLRPC decides to provide from now on will not change this initial rigging of the field. Yes, change will of course happen, as transformation, as evolution. The way to go about is to tackle needs one by one, not to write off or reduce natural preservation measures from the start. In addition, we do not know what exactly might change in two or three years - demographically, ecologically, politically. So it is dangerous to establish pre-set policies. We can only identify immediate needs and future potential needs.

More sidewalks, better crossings for busy roads, good possibilities for children to walk to school.

Farming is already a big part of Concord. And it should stay that way.

Every "High Rise", meaning more than 4 stories, should be built to accommodate solar.

Libraries and Beede Center.

Concord Center and West Concord Center as well as good transportation to Boston.

Housing could be in the center, West Concord Center, and further out. Smaller houses or duplexes that are affordable for families. I prefer the woods and the disadvantage is the distance from the center, so that I mostly drive with my car. Safe crossings and more side walks would make me use my bike more.

I would like diverse retail businesses, with a good mixture of restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, book stores, hardware stores, food and specialty shops. Parking does not seem a problem .

I don't like to walk on roads or pavement. My best experiences are on trails in the woods with my dog. Apart from that I do water exercises at the Beede Center.

Unfortunately, the xc track is not as good as it used to be. It is very close to Rte 2.

Mark Hanson
Cross Country skiers get in shape using roller skis. We need a paved track on the CCHS property for them to practice. This would be much safer than having them practice on the hilly roads in Conantum and other areas in Concord. Neighboring towns would likely contribute as the track could be used by skiers around the area. Possibly we could get the track 'for free' by just providing the land for it. The good thing is that hills is what the skiers want and the hilly area of the CCHS property might work.

Mark Hanson
Parking buses under solar panels helps reduce operating costs by reducing snow and early morning window frost removal work in winter and keeping the buses dry and out of the sun the rest of the year.

Mark Hanson
Land uses that are compatible with environmental improvement such as composting or providing school bus parking closer to CCHS and thereby reducing diesel fuel use by simplifying / reducing total bus miles traveled as presented in 2016 during the discussion of Article 16 are compatible with the spirit of Thoreau's philosophy. Parking buses there under solar panels would be a good step toward meeting the goals of reducing CO2 emissions.

Trails in the woods.

Crossing of Rte. 2 with bike or walking is dangerous.

Linda Nieman
I would also support guarded bike paths

Peggy Briggs
This is one of my top priorities for years

Ruthy Bennett
Bike/pedestrian crossing at route 2, so people can easily travel to both sides of town, especially school aged kids riding their bikes.

Josh Burgel
Over 200 households could use a ped-activated crosswalk in order to access Willard, Sanborn, Peabody, and the Bruce Freeman RT.

A sidewalk from Heaths Bridge Road to #117 is missing. It makes walking and biking quite dangerous.

Mark Hanson
There is no pedestrian-safe light cycle at this crossing. Pedestrians cross at the same time left turns are allowed for north bound traffic on Sudbury road that wants to turn left to Route 2 westbound. This could be solved by keeping northbound Sudbury road traffic red while the pedestrian cycle is on.

Christa Collins
Re: Josh's comment, also a ped-activated crosswalk on Rt 62 at West St. would be great. It's a dangerous crosswalk and we could use some traffic-calming in that approach to W. Concord.

Mark Hanson
Great idea. Traffic visibility is limited there was one pedestrian fatality in this area 20 years ago or so. A smart crossing would make it safer.