I read Linda Mattlage’s opinion piece in the Jan. 14 edition of the Monitor. She’s right that discussions have begun about a new Beaver Meadow clubhouse. Unfortunately, that’s the only point she got accurate.

Full disclosure, I recently organized a Concord community group called The Taxpayers Guild. I also wrote to the City Council a heavily-footnoted Report on Beaver Meadow, available at www.thetaxpayersguild.com.

Simply put, Beaver Meadow does not make money for the city. Ten years ago, its revenue was $918,200 but its expenses were $920,408. It lost money, as it did in nine out of the 12 years from 2009 to 2020.

In fact, the city had to issue $2,767,910 worth of bonds between 2016 and 2024 to cover Beaver Meadow’s expenses. That’s money taxpayers will have to pay for Beaver Meadow with interest. Prior to 2009, Beaver Meadow was expected to be financially self-sufficient. The city’s golfing committee — appointed not elected — changed that. The latest plan is an $8 million clubhouse that makes previous losses pale in comparison.

Concord needs a city golfing committee that doesn’t see taxpayers as a source of endless money for a golf course. I am sure Linda learned a great deal as a member of the Golf Advisory Committee and Ad Hoc Building Committee. Unfortunately, none of it had anything to do with finance and business, both critically needed if Beaver Meadow is to stand on its own two financial feet.

Marcy Charette

Concord