Concord Issues Heat Warning and Outdoor Water Restriction Through July 4

DATELINE — CONCORD

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for Concord running from Wednesday, July 1 through Saturday, July 4, and the town is asking residents to conserve outdoor water use at the same time — a one-two punch that officials say requires immediate action from the community.

TOWN HALL

The town's Public Health office posted an advisory Monday urging residents to review available resources, including local cooling centers, ahead of the multi-day heat event stretching through the Independence Day holiday weekend. Residents are encouraged to identify a cooling plan now, before temperatures peak.

Separately, the town's Department of Public Works has called on residents to reduce outdoor water use, citing current system demand. The two alerts together signal stress on both the public health and water infrastructure sides of town operations during what is expected to be one of the hottest stretches of the summer.

In a personnel note, Town Manager Kerry Lafleur has appointed Aaron Miklosko as Interim Director of Concord Public Works, effective upon the retirement of Alan Cathcart on June 19. Miklosko steps into the role as the department navigates the heat-driven demand period.

Also on the town's radar: the survey for the MCI Concord Master Plan closes July 1. Residents who have not yet weighed in on the draft plans for the former state prison site have until end of day Tuesday to submit their feedback at concordma.gov.

Looking ahead to transportation planning, the Lowell Regional Transit Authority will present at the next Transportation Advisory Committee meeting on July 7, opening a conversation about expanding LRTA bus service into Concord.

Road work continues this week on Thoreau Court, Thoreau Street, Sudbury Road, Everett Street, Stow Street, and Devens Street through July 3.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The Concord Free Public Library is accepting applications for its 2027 Writer-in-Residence Program through July 15. The residency, which runs January through June 2027, is designed to continue Concord's literary heritage by supporting diverse voices and arts programming. Interested applicants can find details at concordlibrary.org.

Note that all Concord libraries will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"🌱 Patch AM: See which Concord projects just scored new 'millionaires tax' money" — Concord projects have received fresh funding tied to Massachusetts' so-called millionaires tax revenue, per Concord Patch. (Read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/concord)

"🌱 Patch AM: Why Concord residents are questioning their School Committee's leadership votes" — Questions have emerged among residents about recent leadership decisions by the School Committee, according to Concord Patch. (Read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/concord)

"🌱 Patch AM: How Concord schools might still get rooftop solar without spending upfront" — Concord schools may have a path to rooftop solar installation through a financing structure that avoids direct upfront costs, per Concord Patch. (Read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/concord)

"🌱 Patch AM: How much more will Concord households pay for water and sewer July 1?" — New water and sewer rate changes took effect July 1 in Concord, with Patch reporting on what the increases mean for household bills. (Read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/concord)

COMING UP

- **Tuesday, July 1** — MCI Concord Master Plan survey closes; final day to submit feedback (concordma.gov/conservation) - **Tuesday, July 1** — Hugh Cargill Trust Committee meeting (see agenda for Zoom link) - **Tuesday, July 1** — West Concord Advisory Committee meeting - **Thursday, July 2** — Warner's Pond Management Committee meeting (see agenda for Zoom link) - **Friday–Saturday, July 3–4** — All Concord Free Public Library branches closed for Independence Day - **Monday, July 7** — Transportation Advisory Committee meeting featuring Lowell Regional Transit Authority presentation on potential Concord service expansion - **Tuesday, July 15** — Deadline for Writer-in-Residence 2027 applications at Concord Free Public Library