Ballot Questions
Question 1. A proposed amendment to the state constitution to levy an additional tax on income over one million dollars. A yes vote would impose a 4 percent tax on that portion of income over $1M. A no vote would make no change in the state constitution relative to income tax.
Question 2. Regulation of dental insurance. Passage of this question (a yes vote) would regulate dental insurance rates, including by requiring companies to spend at least 83 percent of premiums on member dental expenses and other improvements instead of administrative expenses and other changes to dental insurance regulations. A no vote would make no change in the law relative to the regulations that apply to dental insurance companies.
Question 3. Expanded availability of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages. A yes vote would increase the number of licenses a retailer could have for the sale of alcohol, limit the number of “all-alcoholic beverages” licenses, restrict use of self-checkout, and require retailers to accept customer’s out-of-state identification. A no vote would make no change in the laws governing the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
Question 4. Eligibility for driver’s licenses. A yes vote would keep in place the law, which would allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license or permit if they meet the other requirements for doing so. A no vote would repeal this law.
This week and in the two weeks before the Nov. 8 election, the Concord Bridge is providing short interviews with the state representative candidates in the 13th and 14 Middlesex districts.
Simon Cataldo, 36, is a native Concordian who graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School in 2004 before going to Colorado College and later law school from which he graduated in 2014. Before law school, Cataldo taught special education math to middle schoolers in Harlem where he founded the nonprofit Harlem Lacrosse organization. Cataldo worked for the Justice Department until 2020, when he and his wife moved to Concord from Washington D.C.
Why is he running:
“I love this community,” he said. “I feel it is my generation’s responsibility to take a leadership role in addressing the significant challenges of our time, including the environment, climate change, equitable access to mental health and reproductive rights, public infrastructure and strong public schools.” He said he’d “never done anything political” before, but three factors propelled him to run for state rep: the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and Jan. 6. He feels positive change can be made at the state level that impact this district. “Having grown up here, I have a good base of understanding.”
Top three issues:
Concord’s environmental umbrella. “Concord has an environmental ethos. I’ve made relationships with town leaders to address issues” such as water conservation and quality, which he cites as an increasing concern in the district.
Another key issue is mental health for all ages. “Accessibility and affordability” are the keys. He feels the legislature can act to raise the reimbursement rate for providers.
The third top issue for Cataldo is transportation. “It’s a big challenge in the region, even before the pandemic.” He thinks the rail service is not sufficient or reliable, and the state “needs to step up. Concord can’t solve the issue on its own. We need a strong voice in the Legislature.”
Ballot questions:
Question 1. Yes. Question 2, yes. Question 3, yes, Question 4, yes.
Town Clerk prepared for Nov 8 election
Kaari Tari said voters should feel confident as they go to the polls on Nov. 8. “We have a great team of election workers to help maintain neutrality in the polling places while helping voters navigate the voting process,” she noted recently. She said police officers are stationed at each voting location to ensure that voters and election workers are free from interference. Further, Tari said observers are allowed in the polling location but must remain behind a six-foot buffer around the polling place set-up. “This will allow them to hear and view activities within the polling place, but not interfere with any part of the process,” she said. There is also a 150’ buffer around each building that is the site of a polling location, limiting electioneering, defined as campaigning for candidates, to outside of that area. Campaign pins or attire of any kind are not allowed within the buffer area and prohibited inside the polling location. Tari said her office received calls about Question 4 on the ballot that was not included in the booklet sent to all residents. She said a link to the question is available by going to the town website (www.concordma.gov) along with sample ballots and early voting dates. Early voting begins Oct. 22, and continues Monday through Saturday until Friday, Nov. 4. Check the website for hours.
- More than 4,000 ballots have now been mailed to voters requesting them. The deadline to apply for a vote by mail ballot is November 1 at 5:00pm
- Massachusetts now offers a new accessible option for voters with disabilities to vote from home. Go to concordma.gov to learn more.
- In person early voting begins at the Town House on Saturday, October 22nd.
Concord Indivisible announces endorsements
Members of Concord Indivisible (CI) have voted to endorse the following candidates on the ballot in November:
Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll for Governor and Lieutenant Governor Andrea Campbell for Attorney General Diana DiZoglio for Auditor Simon Cataldo for State Representative of the 14th Middlesex District
CI members were asked to signal their support for candidates in contested races who will represent Concord and nearby towns. Candidates had to receive votes from 65 percent of members responding anonymously to an online survey to receive the group’s endorsement.
“We are excited to support the fresh leadership that these candidates offer residents of Massachusetts and hope that they will encourage a strong turnout at the polls in the upcoming election,” said CI Steering Committee member Anita Saville.
