Mary Hartman is an experienced leader and financial expert with a strong commitment to public service. She holds an MBA in International Business from Clark University and spent years working as a senior finance manager for a Fortune 50 high-tech company, later teaching corporate finance at Bentley University.
Since retiring, Mary has served as President of her Homeowners Association, Chair of the Concord Finance Committee, and, since 2022, as a member of the Concord Select Board, where she currently serves as Chair.
Mary and her husband, Bob, moved to Concord 15 years ago, drawn to its trails, open spaces, farms, and village centers. They have three grown children and three teenage grandchildren. Mary enjoys gardening at Rogers Community Garden, walking her border collie, Rain, and attending water aerobics classes at the Beede Center.
As a proven leader, Mary is dedicated to making Concord a stronger community for all.
Meet Mary
On the Issues
Financial Stability
To promote financial stability, we must manage property taxes carefully, set realistic budget guidelines, and assess the impact of expenditures on taxes. By improving efficiency in both town and school operations, we can unlock cost savings. We must diversify the tax base to include revenue sources beyond property tax so that all those who enjoy Concord’s infrastructure and services will share the cost. Through careful attention to our tax policies, I will use all available tools to avoid a Prop 2 1/2 override.
Working Together
As Select Board Chair, I host joint public meetings to unite town committees. Collaboration among the Select Board, Finance Committee and School Committee resulted in jointly developed 10-year capital plans that address the backlog of municipal capital needs such as DPW and Public Safety. Furthermore, both schools and the town will present FY26 budgets that meet FinCom guidelines. I welcome public involvement to ensure all voices are heard in decision-making processes.
Infrastructure
Funding of critical infrastructure like roads, our stormwater system, and safe drinking water continues to be a top priority for Concord. We must recognize that preventative maintenance of these systems avoids the high costs of emergency repairs that result when we react to problems instead of preempting them. I will work with town staff to find ways to expand our wastewater permit and capacity to allow for more housing and commercial development.
Commercial Development
Concord has a unique opportunity to evaluate the development potential of 160 acres of land, including MCI-Concord, Peabody School, and potentially 2229 Main Street. We must look at these sites as opportunities to reduce the tax burden on homeowners, attract businesses that meet community needs, and support clean energy projects. I will work closely with residents and experts to ensure thoughtful, sustainable development that balances economic growth with Concord’s values and goals.
Housing
I am committed to finding housing solutions across a range of affordability, yet I am particularly interested in workforce housing that includes housing for Concord citizens. I believe that housing in the more moderate price range will advance our DEI goals at a practical level. Using town and state guidelines, we will determine the types and scale of housing that would best serve our community.
Democracy
The biggest challenge facing us today is cynicism, mistrust, and misinformation. My concern is this blinds us to the things our local town government does well, like: excellent schools, a professional police force, a responsive fire department, two thriving libraries, popular recreation programs, and more. But most importantly, our town government—and the involvement of people like you—keeps our democracy alive. Let’s solve our challenges together.