The Select Board has oversight of over 40-plus town boards and committees. Each member is a liaison to seven or eight of these. This is only part of the job. They must also become familiar with the many, many, many ways in which the commonwealth regulates what a municipality can and cannot do. Other tasks are also required depending on the year. Being chair of the Select Board is a very heavy lift. Doing it right takes a considerable amount of time. Mary Hartman does it right.
In this year’s Select Board election there are two openings. Terri Ackerman is leaving after ably serving for six years. Mary has served three years. If elected, she will have the longest service of anyone on the board. Her experience is a valuable contribution to effective town governance.
Experience matters. Mary is honest, intelligent, willing to listen, not afraid to make tough decisions, and considers all sides. She is dedicated to what is best for the town and fosters collaboration. Recently she brought together the School Committee, Finance Committee, and Select Board to discuss and successfully meet the Finance Committee’s guidelines for the FY26 budget. Mary knows how to lead.
There are many intelligent and highly educated people in Concord who are very successful in their respective fields. On the Select Board there is no substitute for experience. Please join me in voting for Mary on April 8, so that her experience will continue to benefit us all.
Susan Bates
Concord Greene
