UPDATE AS OF APRIL 10TH

A message from Town Manager Stephen Crane:

Hi, this is Town Manager Stephen Crane with an update for you on the coronavirus impacts in Concord. I hope this message finds you well. To begin, I want to help everyone understand how the Town is evaluating conditions and making decisions about modifications to services including access to Town facilities. Our only goal is to limit the community spread of COVID-19 so we can keep our community healthy and return to normal as soon as possible.

While most people are doing a good job with social distancing, there are some who are not taking these precautions seriously and are placing others at risk. Unfortunately, decisions will need to be made to address the few who are not doing their part that will have an impact everyone else.

As many of you already know, we have closed all sport courts and playground equipment and will be strictly enforcing parking limits at Town schools, parks, trails and other outdoor amenities. The Town may be forced to take further action for the sake of public health if people continue to ignore the guidance to remain at home except for essential errands and keep disregarding the social distancing measures when outside.

Some simple things you can do during this crisis to minimize risk of exposing yourself and others, as well as help manage the anxiety many of us are feeling, include avoiding a site if the parking lot is full and staying at least six to ten feet from others, stepping aside as needed to allow others to pass. Additionally, please keep dogs leashed so they do not run at others. A dog bite would be an unnecessary and avoidable burden on our health care system during this pandemic. The better we do at these things, the faster this crisis will end.

I also want to update you on a few new policies that can reduce the financial impact of the pandemic on individuals and businesses. First, the Select Board has voted to waive interest and other penalties in the event of a late payment of taxes. Second, resources for local businesses are now posted on the Town website and Town staff are available to assist with the process. Finally, the State is now allowing beer and wine sales with takeout orders from licensed restaurants.

The Annual Town Meeting will be postponed until Monday, June 22. The Town Election will be on Thursday, June 11.

Finally, we want to remind everyone to sign up for News and Notices to receive email updates from the Town. Directions to sign up are on the front page of the Town’s website: concordma.gov

Please take care during these trying times and help our first responders and health care workers by doing your part to keep yourself and others safe and well.