Concord Extends ADA Public Survey Deadline After Facebook Error Lists Wrong Date

CARLISLE — April 9, 2026 — Concord's ADA Advisory Commission extended its public accessibility survey deadline to April 17 after the town's Facebook page incorrectly advertised a May 10 closing date. Consultant Emmanuel of KMA told the commission Wednesday that approximately 115 residents had responded to the survey — the highest total the firm has recorded for a municipal ADA project, surpassing a previous high set by Watertown. Eight of nine town buildings have already been physically audited; remaining facilities including the municipal light plant, Ride Out Park, Emerson Field, White Pond, and Ripley playground are scheduled for inspection April 14 and 17. Among the survey's most striking findings: 83 percent of respondents did not know how to request materials in alternate formats, and 78 percent did not know how to request accommodations such as ASL interpreters. Emmanuel flagged that engineered wood fiber playground surfacing — commonly labeled as ADA-compliant by vendors — is not accepted as an accessible surface under Massachusetts 521 CMR unless manually raked every seven to ten days, a standard he said is rarely met; remediation costs run $30 to $35 per square foot. All draft audit reports and a digital accessibility review of the town website and permit portals are due to commissioners by May 7, ahead of the next meeting on May 14.