Concord Select Board Candidates Clash Over Development, Budget, and Senior Services

CARLISLE — March 19, 2026 — Two Concord Select Board candidates debated housing, development, and senior services at a Council on Aging candidate forum March 19. Dean Banfield, a Finance Committee veteran, and Sam Hirschsteiner, a first-time candidate and former civic-education nonprofit executive, squared off before a senior audience at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, moderated by Nancy Brumbach of the Sudbury League of Women Voters. Banfield called the residential tax exemption "probably here to stay" and said he opposes selling the Harvey Wheeler Center outright: "It's a historic building. It's invested an enormous amount of money in bringing it up to where it is now." Hirschsteiner said he is waiting for the full RTE task force report before committing on that question and argued that transit-oriented development near West Concord and Concord Center train stations is the long-term answer to budget pressures. Three uncontested candidates — Drew Maliazzi for School Committee, Stephan Bader for Housing Authority, and Carlin Reed for Town Moderator — also appeared; Bader noted the Housing Authority manages 243 homes and has secured competitive state grants under Executive Director Jennifer Polito, while Reed confirmed a household warrant briefing book will again be distributed before town meeting.