West Concord Advisory Committee Moves to Revise 15-Year-Old Founding Charge

CARLISLE — May 13, 2026 — West Concord Advisory Committee debates expanding its charge as bridge project nears state review. Meeting May 13, the committee heard that the Assabet River pedestrian bridge 25 percent design submission has been filed with MassDOT, triggering a 90-day review; the project carries a current construction estimate of approximately $14 million, rising to $19 million with MassDOT-required contingencies, and Town Planner Elizabeth Hughes said she expects construction funding to be programmed into the state Transportation Improvement Program around fiscal year 2030. Hughes said removing four to six parking spaces from the town-owned portion of the West Concord commuter rail lot may be required to route the trail connection, a change that would need Select Board approval. The committee also spent the bulk of the evening debating whether its 2011 founding charge — written as a subcommittee of the Planning Board to implement the now-dated West Concord Village Center Master Plan — still fits a moment when 63 town committees have absorbed many of the functions it once covered; Hughes framed the committee's current value as increasing efficiency, saying "it would be a longer time getting there" without it. A three-person working group will bring a draft revised mission statement to the June 3 meeting.