Standing room only in the rear of the Town House second floor Hearing Room for the Town Caucus on Monday, January 27, 2025. Ken McGagh/The Concord Bridge
It was standing room only in the rear of the Town House’s second floor hearing room for Monday’s caucus. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Concord Bridge

Town Caucus propels 8 nominees toward April municipal election

By Dakota Antelman — [email protected]

Photos by Ken McGagh/The Concord Bridge

It was standing room only at the Town House on Monday night as Concord voters gathered for this year’s Town Caucus. 

Over roughly one hour, supporters nominated four candidates for two seats on the Select Board, three candidates for two School Committee posts, and one candidate for Town Moderator. 

Before the speeches, voters in attendance tasked former Select Board chair Michael Lawson with running the evening’s events as caucus chair. The group tapped former Town Clerk Anita Tekle as caucus clerk.  

Town Caucus chair Michael Lawson, left, starts  the Town Caucus at the Town House on Monday, January 27, 2025.    Ken McGagh/The Concord Bridge
Caucus chair Michael Lawson, left, begins the official proceedings.

For three-year Select Board terms: 

  • Cato Anderson nominated local business owner Elizabeth Akehurst-Moore. Anderson said Akehurst-Moore, who has served on multiple town committees, is “the kind of leader who embodies the very best Concord stands for.” He also praised her willingness to work hard toward “thoughtful, sustainable decisions for our town.”
  • Deena Whitfield backed 2229 Main Street Advisory Task Force chair Paul Boehm and said having his children and grandchildren in Concord gives him a “multigenerational perspective.” Whitfield, a member of The Concord Bridge board who spoke on her own behalf, discussed other resume highlights and touted Boehm’s experience working with staff across town departments through his roles on various committees. 
  • Sven Weber nominated Select Board incumbent Mary Hartman for another term, praising her as an “active listener” who seeks input before making decisions. He listed accomplishments from Hartman’s time in office and said she “tries to strike a balance between short-term actions and long-term goals with a clear eye on the long-term direction for the town.”
  • Colin Baughman supported businessman Joe Laurin, describing him as a data-driven person who has invested in Concord and its future. Baughman highlighted Laurin’s work with youth sports programs and other organizations, saying he is “a microcosm of what this town needs.”  

For three-year School Committee terms:

Alexa Anderson.
Alexa Anderson.
  • Heather Bout nominated incumbent Alexa Anderson, calling her a thoughtful person with a “collaborative nature” and an “ability to tackle complex issues with both heart and pragmatism.” Bout described working alongside Anderson on multiple committees and said she is someone who “does the hard work needed to move projects forward.”
Sandeep Pisharody.
Sandeep Pisharody.
  • Matt Boger nominated Thoreau School parent Sandeep Pisharody and ticked through his “dizzying resume” of community contributions and professional accomplishments. “We need leaders with talents who can direct $50 million in research funding, solve cybersecurity problems for the government, and still find time to be on the soccer field cheering on all our kids,” Boger said.
Dr. Michael Williams.
Dr. Michael Williams.
  • John Cratsley boosted longtime Concord resident and parent Dr. Michael Williams, saying the retired pediatric surgeon “cares deeply about children … whether they’re his patients or his neighbors.” Citing his medical training, Cratsley said Williams is “someone who listens, offers his perspective, listens again, and then always seeks a common, helpful solution.”

Unopposed for a one-year Town Moderator term:

  • Marian Stanley nominated Carmin Reiss for a 10th term, detailing her resume and lauding the “skill and grace” with which she has helmed Town Meeting since she was first elected.
  • Town Moderator incumbent Carmin Reiss takes a bow after accepting the nomination to run again unopposed during the Town Caucus at the Town House on Monday, January 27, 2025.    Ken McGagh/The Concord BridgeTown Moderator incumbent Carmin Reiss accepts the nomination to run unopposed for a 10th term.

Adhering to tradition, nominees did not take the microphone during the caucus. 

As candidates launch their campaigns, Concordians who still want to run for office can get on the ballot by securing at least 50 signatures from registered town voters and returning nomination papers to the town clerk by 5 p.m. on February 18.

Election day is April 8. The voter registration deadline to be eligible for this year’s town election is 5 p.m. on March 28. Register to vote here.

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