Bedford · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bedford public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Conservation Commission appointment
Kate Kelly moved up from alternate to full member of the Conservation Commission, filling a resignation vacancy through May 1, 2028.
Federal grant for solar storage and EV charging requires 50% match
Brainstorming on what's next: pairing solar with school roof replacements, ground-mounted solar on town land (most parcels are constrained), battery storage for peak-shaving, and — after a spirited debate — micro-nuclear reactors were added to the future agenda.
Public Outreach Plan
Members agreed past outreach failed to reach people — the 2023 open house drew 1,000+ visitors but many left thinking the facility was fine. The town will re-post its citizen-made facility videos prominently and re-engage the public before any ballot ask.
2027 Conservation Work Plan
The Commission is deciding what to focus on at its October workshop — options include a town-wide survey, a community turtle-counting project, and developing the town's first conservation strategic plan.
Chubbuck Road solar facility performance and revenue
The town's solar facility is producing more electricity than the town uses this summer and just delivered its first Eversource checks totaling about $32,700. But the economics are nuanced: Eversource buys power at ~$0.10/kWh while selling at ~$0.22, and the checks don't offset demand or distribution charges. A resident wants a plain dollars-and-cents profitability report within six to twelve months.
PFAS contamination in wells south of Route 101
The developer wants to skip extending public water even though the site is within the 1,500-foot trigger distance. The chair and others noted PFAS contamination nearby and pushed back hard on the waiver; the Public Works director noted residents constantly ask for water lines.
Conservation Land Purchase at 555 Wallace Road
The Town is buying 2.4 acres from the Marcia Marston Trust to protect land that's been a conservation target since 2009. It's paid for entirely by the Conservation Fund (current use tax receipts), not your taxes, and comes with trail access and restrictions on future development.
PFAS groundwater contamination near Merrill Farm
Wells near the subdivision have tested positive for PFAS, and a Jackson Square resident reported her own well came back positive. The board added a condition requiring notice to NHDES for lots within 500 feet of contaminated wells.
Severe drought approaching Bedford's border
Bedford is now 'Abnormally Dry' after more than a year of drought, but 93% of the state remains in drought. Residents are urged to conserve water — water gardens only, every other day, in morning or evening.
Road salt contamination near the public works yard
Magazine Street residents say decades of salt runoff from the town salt shed contaminated their wells and Riddle Brook, and they argue new wells in the subdivision would face the same fate. The public works director says the salt pile is now covered and the town is shifting to coarse sand.
Utility and town tree clearing in the district
A resident noted utilities and the town can remove front-yard trees without HDC approval and asked the diagram to show those easement zones. Staff agreed to add a footnote clarifying that utility and right-of-way work is exempt.
Conservation easement on New Boston Road property
The lot line adjustment on New Boston Road came out of a boundary survey being done for the Town's purchase of a conservation easement on the Acorn property — meaning land there will be permanently protected.
Tree removal at Joppa Hill Conservation Area
The commission was scheduled to consider spending conservation funds to remove trees at Joppa Hill Conservation Area. This affects how the popular conservation property is maintained and how its budget is used.
Pulpit Rock Subcommittee appointments
Scott Stevens and Matthew Burch were up for appointment to the Pulpit Rock Subcommittee, which helps manage the Pulpit Rock Conservation Area.
Maple tapping at Pulpit Rock Conservation Area
A request to tap maple trees on the Pulpit Rock Conservation Area was on the agenda. Allowing tapping could support educational or sugaring activities but raises questions about use of conservation land.
NHDES Household Hazardous Waste Grant
The DPW landed a first-of-its-kind $3,312 state grant to help fund Hazardous Waste Day, which collected over 21,800 pounds of hazardous waste last July. The town must match the amount, but it offsets costs that would otherwise hit the budget.
Sebbins Pond water quality and watershed management plan
Septic systems around densely packed Sebbins Pond are believed to be the main phosphorus source to the pond. A state-funded watershed management plan with VHB and DES is underway, and the committee made Sebbins Pond the priority for the sewer master plan.
Sixth Annual Cub Cleanup Day
Councilor Carter's roadside cleanup runs April 8–18, centered on April 11. Five tons of trash have been collected over five years, and the commission is invited to adopt a section of road.
Dog waste on conservation lands
Bagged dog poop is being left along trails, and the commission is considering dog waste stations plus outreach — dog waste is a water quality pollutant under the town's MS4 permit.
Church solar project as a community model
Bedford Presbyterian Church showed how a building can slash energy costs — 126 solar panels, heat pumps, LED lighting, and monitoring cut bills by ~$26,000 a year and CO2 by 101,000 pounds annually.