Concord Sets Sept. 9 Forum On MCI-Concord Master Plan
CONCORD — Town officials will hold a public meeting September 9 to present a framework plan and zoning update for the former MCI-Concord prison campus, while Concord Public Schools count down to an August 31 start and the Concord Free Public Library opens a rare exhibit of paintings by Edward Waldo Emerson.
TOWN HALL
The Town has scheduled a Public Meeting on the MCI Concord Master Plan and Zoning Update for September 9 at 6 p.m., where officials will present the Framework Plan for the shuttered state prison site. The gathering is part of an ongoing process to determine how the property, one of the largest undeveloped parcels in town, will be reused and rezoned.
The Health Department is also tracking a rise in cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, after the CDC flagged an increase in cases across multiple states. The town says Massachusetts' case count remains typical for this time of year, but officials are advising residents to stay aware of the illness and its symptoms.
Separately, the town reminded residents that the Rideout Park courts project at 61 Laws Brook Road in West Concord begins construction Monday, August 24, at 7 a.m., a closure previously announced that is now imminent.
SCHOOLS
Concord-Carlisle Regional School District students return to class Monday, August 31, following two professional development days for staff on August 27 and 28. The School Committee holds a joint meeting Wednesday, August 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. ahead of the new year, and the district calendar lists September 4 as a no-school day and September 7 as the Labor Day holiday.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Concord Free Public Library has opened "Celebrating the Art of Edward Waldo Emerson," an exhibition on the first floor of the Main Library running through September 10. The show features a rare selection of works by Emerson, son of Ralph Waldo Emerson, including pieces on loan from private collections shown publicly for the first time alongside paintings, sketchbooks and his palette held in the library's William Munroe Special Collections.
The library is also joining communities statewide in reading "Nothing More of this Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity" by Joseph Lee as part of the Great Reads from Great Places program. Copies are available at the Fowler Branch, with September book club discussions, partner events and an author Q&A watch party planned.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: How rising fuel costs are changing business at Concord's Verrill Farm": Patch reports that higher fuel prices are squeezing operations at the West Concord farm, according to Concord Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/concord).
"Get A Free Pizza, $8 Meals In This MA City For Restaurant Week: Cheap Eats": Concord is kicking off a 10-day restaurant week offering discounted meals at local spots, Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/concord).
COMING UP
Early in-person voting runs Monday, August 24, and Tuesday, August 25, ahead of the September 1 state primary. The Conservation Restriction Stewardship Committee meets Tuesday, August 25. The School Committee holds a joint meeting Wednesday, August 26, from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by district professional development days August 27 and 28.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.