Bedford · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bedford public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Transfer Station Redesign and Three-Phase Compactors Delay
The voter-approved three-phase compactor project at the landfill is on hold while DPW considers redesigning the whole transfer station layout. The money was approved by voters in 2023 but never bonded, so a bigger redesign could require a new warrant article.
Water system capacity and fire flow
Pennichuck can supply domestic water but only 725 gpm of fire flow at Jackson Square, short of the town's typical requirement. Residents questioned whether the undersized system can absorb more users, and irrigation limits came up.
Greenfield Parkway sewer system deterioration
The 20-year-old private-era sewer system at Greenfield Parkway is in rough shape — bad original workmanship, failing valves, and almost no records of what was installed. The town is seeking a clean water grant to fund a full assessment and has the project in the CIP as a backup.
Route 101 sleeve conversion from sewer to water use
A family selling the commercial-zoned 257 Wallace Road property wants the town to let a future developer use unused sewer sleeves under Route 101 to bring municipal water to the site. The well there tested high for PFAS, and better development (and tax revenue) hinges on having town water.
Sewer pump station improvements at 30 Harvey Road
The Bellazardan project was delayed two years by a condo-association sewer pump station that needed upgrades. The Harvey Road Sewer Association has now approved the redesign, and the developer is investing in new pumps and three-phase power. The board adjusted conditions so the town sewer permit is needed before sewer installation, not before building permits.
Sewer master plan update and future sewer district boundaries
The committee weighed which areas should stay in the sewer master plan: the Pines, Boynton Street, and Sebbins Pond stay (Sebbins Pond as a priority due to water quality), while the Route 101/Nashua Road to Covenant Way corridor is recommended for removal over traffic and density concerns.
Elevated sewer bills from BOD/TSS and Alpine Court flow discrepancies
High BOD/TSS readings and inflated flow measurements were driving up Bedford's sewer bills to Manchester. Both problems were traced to fixable causes — siphon settling and a grease blockage in Manchester's meter — and bills are returning to normal, with a credit being pursued.
Shared stormwater system responsibility
The gas station site drains into a 1990s-era shared detention system used by Kensington apartments, townhomes, and the town's own road. The board reworked the condition so the applicant, DPW, and town council jointly assess the system rather than the applicant bearing the full cost.