Mark's profile - coUrbanize

Supported a comment by Josh Burgel on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 4 months ago}

Josh Burgel
While the winter can be cold, cleared bike paths are useable 95% of the year.

Supported a comment by Peggy Briggs on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 4 months ago}

Peggy Briggs
This is one of my top priorities for years

Supported a comment by Ruthy Bennett on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 4 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 4 months ago}

I disagree. Outdoor recreation is healthier.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 5 months ago}

The draft plan should include more planning to increase community gardens. Community gardening is a great recreation. Community gardens bring together all ages of our community. In addition Concord's gardens are organic, so they provide better habitat for endangered pollinators than farms which use pesticides and herbicides. Community gardening is becoming popular. In Conantum 10 years ago 10% of our households had a community garden plot. Over the past decade we've improved our gardens to exclude deer and (almost) rabbits and voles. Coincidently among new residents there's been a big increase in interest. So, this year 35% of our households have community garden plots. Envision Concord where 35% or more of our residents have the ability to raise organic vegetables, berries and fruits successfully either on their own land or on a community garden plot. We're doing it in Conantum and we could do it in Concord!

Supported a comment by Judy Hill on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 5 months ago}

Judy Hill
That public hearing is important, as is the event the next night April 26 on the Climate Solutions Series, 7:30 at Willard School. See the flyer here: http://files.constantcontact.com/c6979f58201/cf7581ca-fdff-4d4c-b39e-9e84efa8c42f.pdf

Supported a comment by Tanya Gailus on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 5 months ago}

Tanya Gailus
Sustainability and climate resiliency matters received strong support during Town Meeting, and the committee is deliberating on these aspects with more focus, and also is open to public input in all areas. Please try to attend the Public Hearing on April 25, 7 pm, and also peruse the documents on the CLRPC's webpage, including previous and current meeting documents. http://concordma.gov/1067/Comprehensive-Long-Range-Plan-Comm

Supported a comment by India Hoeschen-Stein on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 6 months ago}

India Hoeschen-Stein
Jessica - I don't agree that these 60 year old ranch houses are fuel suckers. I worked as an engineer in the energy industry for many years and most (if now all these houses) were insulated and retrofitted during the 90's under the demand-side management era. The gas utilities were offering huge subsidies for energy improvements for many years.
I definitely agree that for folks selling their house they will take the best offer. Unfortunately, small, affordable energy efficient houses are not being built in their place. Across the street from me a 960 sqft (3 bedrm, 1 bath) selling for $580,000 was replaced by a 4,600 sqft home with 4 bedrms and one bath costing $1.6 million. At the rate that this is happening across Town I can guarantee that Concord will see it's energy use (and cost) rise and age and income diversity will also disappear.

Supported a comment by Brianne K on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 6 months ago}

Brianne K
I also live on Elsinore Street (14 years as a renter, outbid on an offer I placed about three years ago on a home), and am seeing the change take place in this neighborhood as several houses over the past few years have sold to developers, who in turn build a "McMansion" that in no way complements Concord's history or historic vibe, while taking up a good deal of land, and driving up the cost of for all homes in the neighborhood significantly. The cost of a 1000 sq. foot home is now roughly 700,000, making it impossible for many (including myself) to own in this neighborhood, or Concord in general. Even rents are sky high. E.g., 1 bedroom 688 sq. foot apartment in W. Concord for $2,300 plus utilities! Concord is no longer affordable to the middle class (unless you earn so little income you qualify for affordable housing). On a happy note, the house next door to my building was torn down, as the owners are rebuilding with "green" in mind. :-)

Supported a comment by Jeffrey Kerr on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 6 months ago}

Jeffrey Kerr
In fact, in Conantum, a family sold to what they assumed was another family. It turned out to by a proxy buy which was then flipped into a McMansion. It was heartbreaking to the family who had participated in the founding of the neighborhood. It also signaled the first intrusion of an outsized house into an historical mid-century neighborhood.
The Boynton Company, along with Hills Bros, has been unwilling to talk about community-influence development and has referred concerned residence to property law.

Supported a comment by Judy Hill on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 6 months ago}

Judy Hill
Thank you India H, for including Mr. Boynton,s response. The home-replacements projects he gives for examples seem to serve the opposite of diversity. The original seller of a ranch wins, the buyer (eg., Ms. Boynton), in order to put up a larger new home, wins when she sells the house, but the town does not win. Developers can't keep building bigger, $1m-plus homes and expect teachers and firemen to buy them. They will be bought, instead, by two and three-car commuter families making large incomes, and Concord becomes even more a bedroom community, adding citizens who aren't invested in local issues, other than being sure their children's schools remain great.

Supported a comment by Jeffrey Kerr on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 6 months ago}

Jeffrey Kerr
Concord has allowed developers to have their way with the town. Unlike other towns in the Western suburbs, Concord has been slow to build protective regulations and reluctant to enforce the rules it makes. A quick glance at the Concord Journal, basically an advertising arm of the real estate companies, gives a useful snapshot of the many ways the town is being mined. It would not take that much to create neighborhood friendly requirements that both allow for new building and preserve the aesthetics of the town. Its not a good thing that Concord is being filled in by the same three huge Colonials over and over and over.

Supported a comment by Nick Pappas on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Nick Pappas
you know, an effective intra-town bus could help reduce the need for parking. In the context of sustainability, it might make sense to have a goal of reducing the number of cars owned by residents. A good bus service would support a goal like that. It seems silly that our family car is the only practical choice I have for running errands to the town center that is 2.5 miles away.

Supported a comment by Tanya Gailus on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Tanya Gailus
Bill has requested free parking for a long time to help his and others' businesses, and has met with opposition, including from some town officials, that free parking has nothing to do with his concerns - that in fact many businesses prefer limited parking so that there is customer turnover. I have been neutral about this discussion, still am. I think there are pros and cons either way. But I am surprised to find out today in the Concord Journal (http://concord.wickedlocal.com/news/20171114/move-to-boost-business-two-days-of-free-parking-in-concord-center) that the Selectboard has approved free parking for two days after Thanksgiving, precisely "to help businesses" - which makes me wonder about the consistency of the town officials' arguments. Does it perhaps depend on who brings up the issue? If so, should it?

Supported a comment by Bill Montague on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Bill Montague
We need to find way to support our Concord Retailers that have been suffering for the past 5 years or more. There is not enough free parking spaces. Bill Montague

Supported a comment by Josh Burgel on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Josh Burgel
Biking = business

Supported a comment by Kevin Neijstrom on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Kevin Neijstrom
Bring trees back to Commonwealth Avenue! Old photos depict a tree-lined street. Our modern street has limited shade and is designed around how many cars we can park along it. It's a great town but could be a more beautiful and useful one.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Increase the incentive to property owners to add solar on their roofs and/or over parking areas. It will help keep our open space open and the shading will help keep buildings and cars cooler in summer, because of the shading provided by the panels.

Supported a comment by Brian Foulds on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Brian Foulds
Add 5 MWh of energy storage to the solar array at WR Grace to balance load and allow more solar installations throughout town.

Supported a comment by Peter DeRosa on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

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.

Supported a comment by Katharina Zuellig on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Katharina Zuellig
Lots of speed limit offenders on this stretch of road. Post more "Ped Xing" signs, especially for children getting on and off school busses

Supported a comment by Kevin Neijstrom on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Kevin Neijstrom
Bring a beach area back to Warner's Pond. Current water access is not terribly appealing or usable. Long ago there was a beach here and it was much more frequented.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

We need a town bylaw forbidding trucks from using "Jake brakes" which they do on this section of Sudbury road. Jake brakes are engine brakes that make a loud noise and are distracting/disconcerting to drivers if the truck is tailgating as well as disruptive to neighboring households. Jake brakes, while fine in rural areas, have been outlawed in other communities.

Supported a comment by Regine Ryder on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

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

Supported a comment by Michelle Touw on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Michelle Touw
Absolutely, w c task force also recommended this bridge as well as widening with cantilevered walk tge rt 62 bridge for pedestrians. Winter plowing makes it alist impassable.

Supported a comment by Tyler Spring on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Tyler Spring
Add a pedestrian bridge over the Assabet River connecting the Baker Ave business parks to West Concord Village. Our 2010 Master Plan recommended such a bridge. After reading GPI's feasibility study provided...

Supported a comment by Rick Hedeman on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Rick Hedeman
Love the fact that the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is happening! Would LOVE it if there was some way to connect it with the trail from Concord center to Bedford...

Supported a comment by Matthew Johnson on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Matthew Johnson
I just looked at the survey results, hoping to see the text responses that people submitted to the open-ended questions. There's only a summary of most used keywords. Is the raw data available anywhere? Sometimes the best insights are in those comments.

Supported a comment by Tanya Gailus on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Tanya Gailus
Yes I just noticed. Thank you.

Supported a comment by Tanya Gailus on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 10 months ago}

Tanya Gailus
Where can one find ALL the data from the envision survey? Your update from the October 21 public event presentation shows the answers to only 'some' of the questions. Please post the answers to ALL the questions.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

I agree that the Beede center is too costly for most seniors. I've never bought a membership or used the facility despite supporting it by providing tax dollars for at least part of it's construction and providing it a location on the CCHS campus free of charge. I'm delighted that it provides a pool for CCHS swimmers. That was the main goal, but where I grew up in Edina Minnesota we had a pool at the high school that had open swimming hours with out cost to the community. It'd be nice if there were an open swimming opportunity at Beede. Even for only one hour a week.

Supported a comment by Bob Andrews on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Bob Andrews
I use the Beede Center and the Harvey Wheeler Community Center frequently. Being able to exercise is important to me. Yoga is now available at a low rate at Harvey Wheeler; and I would like to see this continue for seniors. I have benefitted from the past policy of no charge at the Beede Center for octogenarians or older. It is regrettable that that was terminated, although I was grandfathered in and still enjoy it. Affordability is an issue for retired people without large financial assets.

Supported a comment by Regine Ryder on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

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

Supported a comment by Regine Ryder on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

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

Supported a comment by Regine Ryder on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

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

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Perhaps work toward extending the Minuteman Bike trail to connect with the Bruce Freeman trail along the old reformatory rail route.

Supported a comment by Alice Kaufman on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Alice Kaufman
Many of our roads and streets are common bike routes - Lowell, Monument, Bedford, Lexington, Sudbury, Commonwealth, & Lawsbrook. I understand that the width of many of our roads will not allow installation of bike lanes. Painted Sharrows would help remind drivers that these roads are shared & to drive with caution.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Restore Adult Ed to it's former stature in the 1970's. At that time it was the best in the region. I recall learning to speak Swedish, for example. We could also take leadership position in new more affordable housing options for middle income residents.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Extending the Minuteman Rail Trail from the Concord/Bedford line to connect with the Bruce Freeman Rail trail near the reformatory is a great idea. Mr. Johnson is right, it would be a safe, quick alternative to the roads to get from Concord Center to West Concord Center. It would require a couple of bridges and I understand there may be some property ownership issues to address, but it's a very worthwhile idea.

Supported a comment by Matthew Johnson on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Matthew Johnson
It would be nice if the crossing was part of the extension of the Reformatory Branch trail. That would reduce the need to create designated bike lanes on already crowded streets, and provide a more pleasant way to travel for pedestrians and cyclists than walking along Main St.

Supported a comment by Matthew Johnson on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

Matthew Johnson
I have another suggestion here - Juniors and Seniors should have to earn a number of "green credits" to graduate. They can get these by riding the bus, biking/walking, carpooling or using electric vehicles. Alternatively, they could participate in other projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This would support Article 51 and might also reduce peak traffic, while improving teens' awareness and support for sustainability.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 11 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{5 years, 12 months ago}

When a pedestrian requests a walk cycle, the signal system should respond soon.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Water gardens used as a way to take runoff from impervious pavement can be turned into effective pollinator habitat and forage areas. Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook conservation area in Worcester has done this for the runoff from their parking areas and buildings.

Supported a comment by Joan Kennedy on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Joan Kennedy
Healthy watershed and water quality supported with town leadership and budget for future generations.

Supported a comment by Gary Kleiman on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Gary Kleiman
and revising zoning to keep development out of current and FUTURE flood plains.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Coordinated bus feeder_distributor routes to/from the train depots that coordinate with train schedules is worth exploring as a way to make public transit more useful...and more used.

Supported a comment by Gary Kleiman on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Gary Kleiman
...or provide last mile transportation that connect neighborhoods to the commuter rail express trains. You don't need parking if a "school bus" type system has a pickup timed to take you from your neighborhood to the WC or C depot in time for the 8:03!

Supported a comment by Brian Foulds on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Brian Foulds
The Blue Bird All American RE electric bus is being developed this year and should be available in 2019. Currently Concord is operating the diesel version of Blue Bird All American so no change in size, shape or function other than fuel. https://blue-bird.com/blue-bird/Press-Releases/Blue-Bird-Introduces-AllNew-Electric-School-Bus-So-104.aspx

Supported a comment by Linda Nieman on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Linda Nieman
An in-bound commuter rail stop after 9 am would be fantastic. There are no inbound trains between 8:51 am and 10:26 pm. As a parent who has bus stop duty, I cannot make the early trains and 10:26 am is too late :(

Supported a comment by Leslie Pelton on Envision Concord ^{6 years ago}

Leslie Pelton
There are stunning numbers of kids who drive to CCHS. The car parking should be limited and expensive. We need multitudes of bike racks, scooter racks. We could collaborate with HubWay of other organizations to make even electric bikes available to our kids. And then give them huge incentives for using them. And, of course, we need safe biking lanes throughout Concord!

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

And park the buses under solar panels to keep them out of the weather and over the course of a year generate the power they'll use. And don't park them here, but park them under solar panels at the schools. It's a good way to educate our children about conservation and reduce our bus transport operating costs at the same time.

Supported a comment by Brian Foulds on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

Brian Foulds
By 2030 transition 80% of our school bus fleet to electricity.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

I agree that we could connect the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to the Minuteman Trail. Safe bikeways for commuters are a valuable resource. Before I retired I commuted from Concord to Hanscom AFB by bike and a rail trail would have been safer and faster.

Supported a comment by Diane Proctor on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

Diane Proctor
A superb idea, Sanford. As a long term project, many changes in our transportation systems can be effectively implemented to reduce harmful emissions.

Supported a comment by Sanford Feman on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

Sanford Feman
Electrify the commuter rail and eliminate diesel locomotives.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

Parking is needed. And more frequent and flexible trains. Current trains are only efficient for the AM and PM commute. At other times smaller train consists or individually powered cars could provide more frequent service economically. The tracks are valuable infrastructure making more use of them by running rail traffic makes sense. Smaller trains would not block intersections in Concord as long and frequent daytime service would be helpful to commuters who might need to return to Concord during the day.

Supported a comment by Linda Nieman on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

Linda Nieman
More parking for commuters, please.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 1 month ago}

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.

Followed Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

Pedestrian light is delayed too long after activation encouraging J-walking. Giving pedestrians their crossing light sooner would increase traffic safety.

A second problem with this intersection is the log queues that form northbound on Sudbury road. This is a traffic - sensitive light that needs to hold green for northbound traffic longer.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

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.

Commented on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

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.

Supported a comment by Josh Burgel on Envision Concord ^{6 years, 3 months ago}

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

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