Q: What do you think is the single most pressing issue facing the Housing Authority today?
Q: Do you support the use of handheld voting devices (“clickers”) at Concord Town Meeting, and why or why not?
Edward Larner
The most important issue for the Housing Authority is to manage federal, state and town owned units for the health and safety of our tenants. State and federal audits indicate that we are doing a good job. The most pressing political issue is building a strong consensus that housing needs are not being met and finding the will to fix the problem.
Carmin Reiss
Community consensus should determine use of electronic voting at Town Meeting. This year we’ll consider Article 26, “Town Meeting Study Committee” (incorporating study of electronic voting for some or all votes), and Article 29, “Use of Hand-Held Electronic Voting at Town Meetings.” Electronic voting, at rental cost roughly $8000/meeting, would save time on counted votes, but not visually assessed votes. Research, including our 2019 Town Meeting demonstration, indicates that available systems are user-friendly, secure (pre-identified units operating on limited radio frequency vs. internet), and generally reliable. Electronic voting is private. Some favor privacy, believing it allows people to vote without fear of retribution, while others do not, believing that public voting encourages consideration of community as well as individual interests. Concord, in its tradition of thoughtful self-governance, will voice a community view on electronic voting. As Concord’s moderator, I will heed the community’s voice.
Q: Do you think the MCI-Concord property might be used to help address the town’s affordable housing needs, and how?
Q: What do you think of the future possibility of a hybrid or fully remote-participation Town Meeting?
Edward Larner
Definitely. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. During development we must include housing that matches the needs of what is built there as well as alleviating the current shortage that now exists.
Carmin Reiss
Two reservations prevent my support of fully remote or hybrid town meeting: (1) protecting deliberation, the essence of Town Meeting, and (2) vote integrity. As to deliberation, how would we assure that remote voters are actually participating (following and listening, if not speaking), not off-line waiting for a text alert to vote? How would we manage scale (13,000 registered voters)? Does any platform accommodate over 1000 participants? As to vote integrity, what technology guarantees participation via internet only by registered voters, no interlopers? I do support remote participation to accommodate those whose disabilities make in-person attendance impossible. With limited remote participation, we could preserve deliberation and vote integrity.
Q: Where in town would you like to see affordable housing expanded, what type of housing, and why?
Q: What are your thoughts on having Concordians vote on Town Meeting items in a subsequent special election?
Edward Larner
The 2023 Housing Production Plan developed by members of the Housing Roundtable identified multiple strategies for more affordable housing: rezoning large lots; Adjacent dwelling units (ADUs); MBTA Communities rezoning; mandating affordable units in new developments; home rule passage for transfer fees and other taxes; building duplexes and multiple family homes; purchase of small single-family homes as available. The Housing Authority owns 28 properties spread throughout the town. Most neighbors are unaware of their location. Habitat for Humanity recently built a single-family home and expanded another into a duplex. The Junction Village project has pivoted away from the assisted living facility. The Housing Development Corporation delayed the deadline for proposals for projects. It is the 17 acres adjacent to the prison available to the town for either affordable housing or open space. Also spread throughout the town are many homes with an affordable deed restriction that has allowed buyers to purchase their home without the opportunity to profit on a future sale. Larger apartment projects of over 200 units each have been filed under the 40B mandate which will all be considered affordable and keep Concord exempt from the mandate for a long time. Why there is considerable pushback on new proposals: the perception that West Concord always bears the brunt of mandated housing development; the NIMBY reaction of increased congestion, unsightly design and lowered property values. The solution is to do it well. This is Concord. We are concordant. Let’s get it done.
Carmin Reiss
I would support referendum rights on limited Town Meeting votes, but not the full warrant. Consigning all Town Meeting votes to subsequent ballot vote would eviscerate Town Meeting as a deliberative body. A poll vote, offering opportunity neither to persuade others to your point of view nor to listen to those who disagree with you, is not deliberation. Deliberation produces better decisions. A “safety valve” referendum mechanism, however, is reasonable. Current state law gives 3% of voters in representative Town Meeting communities two weeks to request a referendum vote on Town Meeting actions. Longmeadow, an open Town Meeting town, has special state legislation permitting a referendum right on limited Town Meeting actions. The 1996 Concord Town Meeting Study recommended further study of a referendum option, as did the 2014 Town Governance Study Committee. The Town Meeting Study Committee that I am proposing would be charged with such study.