Concord Journal

When it was passed last July, the Green Communities Act (GCA) was hailed by the governor’s office as “a giant step forward towards a clean energy future.” But implementing the GCA could be an even bigger step as more and more “Green Communities” vie for state funds. Read More »

Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and Rep. Niki Tsongas announced on Thursday the passage of legislation by the United States Senate to protect a one-of-a kind national historic treasure, Col. James Barrett’s Farm in Concord, by adding it to Minute Man National Park.  The farm had a central role in the first battle of the Revolutionary War in 1775. The House is expected to pass the measure in the coming days at which point it will be ready to be signed into law by the president. Read More »

Locals looking to raise awareness about global warming made a quite a splash Saturday by braving the blustery afternoon air to plunge into Concord’s Walden Pond. Read More »

West Concord families have had to travel a little bit further than Beharrel Street for their seven-foot firs this year.

The Hall’s Christmas Tree Stand, a seasonal staple in West Concord for more than 40 years, will not open for business this Christmas season — or any season hereafter.

Toby Hall, who started selling Christmas trees in 1962 at the old Acadian Utilities, decided as he hit age 60 that it was time to end his Christmastime tradition of traveling to Concord to sell the balsam and Fraser firs his family grows in Maine. Read More »

The Natural Resources Commission will be proposing a Wetlands Bylaw at Town Meeting 2009. Copies of the draft bylaw are available on the town Web site at www.concordma.gov, on the Natural Resources Web page. Public comment is encouraged. Provide written comments to the Natural Resources office at 141 Keyes Road, via fax at 978-318-3291, or via e-mail to dkaye@concordma.gov by Dec. 19.

ConcordCAN invites you to a free “Evening with Bill McKibben” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Tri-Con Church. McKibben’s topic is “The Most Important Number in the World, Join the Fight Against Global Warming.” Discussion will follow McKibben’s address; refreshments and book buying opportunities will be provided in the Parish Hall. Read More »

Willard students will become community educators next year, moving into a new building touted as an interactive classroom with learning elements that highlight the elementary school’s green design features. 

Last spring, hundreds of Willard School students in hardhats broke ground on the school slated to open for the 2009-2010 school year and the Willard School Building Committee two weeks ago told selectmen the project was ahead of schedule and under budget.  Read More »

The Garden Club of Concord is soliciting proposals from residents and local organizations seeking funding for garden-related community projects. Read More »

It will be farmers helping farmers Saturday, as more than 20 representatives from the New England farming community will come together at The Old Manse for a farmer’s market benefit for Verrill Farm.

Farmers will roll in from western and southeastern Massachusetts and even New Hampshire, bringing with them bread, goat cheese, pumpkins, potatoes, carrots and cabbages. All proceeds will go toward the crew and staff at Verrill Farm, whose main farm stand was recently destroyed by fire. Read More »

The recent fire on Wheeler Road that destroyed the main building at Verill Farm also shed light on some very real issues facing Concord firefighters.

Verrill Farm is in an area of town not fully served by town water and the nearest hydrants were about 1,700 feet and 1,900 away. It required multiple trucks to connect to each hydrant, as a typical fire truck carries 1,200 feet of hose — two trucks are needed to effectively pull water more than 1,500 feet.

Given the circumstances, said Concord Fire Chief Ken Willette, the Concord Fire Department did an excellent job. Read More »