By Erin Tiernan — Erin@concordbridge.org
With much of its work completed, the chair of a task force researching a federal Superfund site in town delivered the group’s final report “gift-wrapped” and topped with a bow — literally.
“I don’t expect you to open or read it right now,” Paul Boehm said at Monday’s joint Select Board meeting as he handed out copies of the 90-page document tied up in shimmering gold ribbons, prompting attendees to erupt with laughter.
The 2229 Main Street Advisory Task Force’s report recommends that the town enter negotiations to potentially acquire the Superfund site. Details on cost and future liability still must be deliberated, but Boehm said the site offers “a lot of opportunity” for future development.
A new working group will help steer looming decisions about the acquisition of the site as well as what might replace the cell blocks at MCI-Concord, the shuttered state prison, Select Board members revealed at their Monday meeting.
Projects to consider
The Superfund site is one of multiple properties coming up for redevelopment. Boehm told The Concord Bridge that the task force’s final report recommends “that the town start planning for things that will happen in parallel.”
“We’ve got MCI-Concord, we’ve got other properties, and the town needs to figure out what they’re doing [to] optimize these opportunities,” he said.
Select Board Chair Mary Hartman said the soon-to-be-launched working group would kick off a holistic planning effort that considers Concord’s many land opportunities and the town’s various needs.
Another advisory committee focused on the former state prison property is working on new zoning to set parameters for the density of housing, retail, and other eventual development.
The Peabody School will be up for redevelopment once the new middle school on Old Marlboro Road comes online this spring. The second school building occupied by current middle schoolers, Sanborn, will be demolished.
Hartman said the new group will probably include representatives from the Select Board, the Finance Committee, the MCI Concord Advisory Board, and Concord Public Works.
The Select Board must still vote on the committee’s charge and appoint members.
No time to waste
Boehm said the town “can’t wait” on planning decisions, even if construction is still years away. At 2229 Main Street, Concord could save money in the long run if it starts negotiations early next year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which controls the site, has said it would configure roads and driveways where Concord wants them if officials signal interest in acquiring the site.
Hartman said the Select Board will probably decide after a February public hearing whether to enter negotiations for the Superfund site. Select Board members will have the final say on acquisition.
New zoning for the prison property will be worked out over the next year or so. Town Meeting will have final approval.
Assistant Town Manager Megan Zammuto on Monday presented a land-use matrix much awaited by officials that will underpin the coming discussions on townwide planning and intersecting goals for the properties.
