Bedford · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bedford public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Town Budget Review
A $39.4M budget is on the March 10 ballot with no council recommendation after a 6-1 vote. If it fails, the town goes into default again — potentially cutting road paving and affecting police and fire staffing. Last year's budget failed by 249 votes.
Supporters of BCTV-WBNH 501(c)(3) nonprofit formation
The board's new nonprofit is nearly official — state filing done, waiting on an EIN and bank account. Once live, it can accept donations and pursue charitable gaming revenue, potentially worth six figures a year based on other local groups' results.
Declining franchise fee revenue at BCTV-WBNH
As viewers drop traditional cable, BCTV's main funding stream is shrinking. The station is responding with business underwriting ($5,000 sports packages), a new nonprofit fundraising arm, and direct donations like the Men's Club camera gift — all without using tax dollars.
2026 Property Revaluation
Town values jumped about 20% to $7.7 billion; the median single-family home is now assessed at $807,500. The tax rate will drop, but officials warned not to multiply your new assessment by last year's 16.49 rate.
Owners project manager procurement
The RFQ for an owner's project manager is out with proposals due November 5. A small subcommittee will screen candidates, and the full committee plans interviews — possibly December 10 — with a recommendation to follow.
DERA Diesel Grants for Town Equipment
Federal and state money is available to replace diesel equipment with electric alternatives. The commission will check the town's Capital Improvement Plan for upcoming purchases — loaders, skid steers, generators — that could pair with a grant application.
March warrant article for facilities bonds
The committee wants voters to authorize a pot of bond money — amount TBD — to fix Town facilities, without tying the vote to specific buildings or designs. Prior detailed proposals failed; a roads-style ask passed before. Three-quarters of survey respondents said 'do something' about facilities.
2027-2036 Capital Improvement Plan
Resident Ken Russo pressed the Council on where recent spending — park lights, fire equipment, police gear — comes from. Councilors explained the voter-approved Capital Improvement Program and developer impact fees, and the Town Manager pointed to staff reports published with each agenda.
Aging IT infrastructure
The Town's servers are so old (2012) that the manufacturer won't support them, and there are no formal written policies on software updates or security standards. The Council bought new servers, but Councilor Sullivan pressed for better long-term IT policies.
Community Power program status
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.
Transfer Station Fee Increases and Safety Improvements
Bedford is raising disposal rates modestly to keep pace with vendor costs, stopping big commercial tires, adding textile recycling bins, and planning free compost giveaways and a resident survey about the facility's future. The town spends $1 million a year trucking trash out, so fees only offset part of the cost.
2027 Non-Union Employee Compensation
The council set new pay ranges for the town's roughly 50-60 non-union employees, shifted up 2.45% with regional inflation. Actual raises come later through the budget process.
State legislation on local control, electioneering, and tax caps
Several new state laws limit what Bedford can regulate: multifamily housing in commercial zones is exempt from most local rules, charter schools skip site plan review, and small daycares must be allowed by right. Staff will bring back zoning amendments to comply, and is still asking the state whether Bedford can keep workforce housing and density requirements.
Facilities Committee formation and fire station planning
Engine 2, under construction for over two years, is now expected to deliver in May or June and be in service by July 1. The chief and a captain will do a final factory inspection.
NHMA legislative policy positions
The Council endorsed the NHMA's two-year lobbying policy slate and sent Jeanne Walker as its voting delegate. It doesn't commit Bedford to any legislation, but shapes the municipal lobby's priorities.
Councilor access to department head meetings
Councilor Levesque was surprised a town manager staff meeting wasn't open to councilors. The town manager explained the charter makes department heads his direct reports; councilors agreed the current collaborative arrangement works.
Trustees of the Trust Funds annual report
The board that stewards the town's donations and $12.7 million in capital reserves reported strong returns — 12.1% on private trusts and 4% on reserves. That earned interest reduces how much taxpayers get billed for vehicles and building projects in future budgets.
Disabled Veteran Tax Credit Increase
Veteran credits haven't changed since 2007. The council consolidated the disabled credit at $2,500 and is now weighing bigger increases — possibly to the max over three years — with a modest tax rate impact of about $0.06 combined.
Recognition of departing Councilors Bemiss and Radke
Kathleen Bemiss and Lori Radke are leaving the Council. Radke's service spans Planning Board work starting in 2001, twelve years as Town Clerk, and two Council terms including chairing in 2024-2025.
PILOT agreement with Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic
Dartmouth Hitchcock's refurbished building at 25 South River Road is tax-exempt as a nonprofit, so the Town negotiated a payment in lieu of taxes equal to half the tax rate for five years, extendable five more. It's the second DHC PILOT in Bedford.
Retirement of the South River Road TIF District
The TIF district created in 2010 to fund Route 3 widening and infrastructure succeeded beyond expectations — property values there rose 70%. With all debt paid, the district is retired and leftover funds return to the general fund.
Keno and Games of Chance Prohibition Ballot Questions
New state law flips keno to opt-out, so the council put both prohibition questions on the March ballot — a way to reclaim local control over gambling in town.
Town boundary markers (perambulation)
Three boundary markers are missing and others disturbed. The town will split repair costs with Amherst, Manchester, and NHDOT — a few thousand dollars, mostly housekeeping, but Councilor Greazzo questioned why this 1791-era law still matters in the GPS age.
Warrant Article #9 — no tax impact
For the first time under the Charter, the Council had to formally recommend (or not) every article on the March ballot. The operating budget got a 5-1 recommendation; the skateboard park petition was left off with the Council's blessing, 4-2.