Councilor· March 18, 2024 - March 2027
Becky Soule
Bedford
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 15
- Total speaking time
- 1:26:30
- Avg per meeting
- 5:46
- Segments
- 1362
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Top issues during term (20)
2027 Conservation Work Plan
Not yet determined — spending priorities (land acquisitions vs. trail work) may be informed by the survey.
Town Budget Review
The 2026 budget uses $1.25 million of fund balance to reduce the tax rate; the AAA rating keeps borrowing costs low.
2026 property revaluation
Assessments up ~18% for the median home, but the tax rate will come down — final December bills pending.
2027-2036 Capital Improvement Plan
About $9.73 million is planned for 2027, over $4.89 million of the roads-related total going to local roads.
Chubbuck Road solar facility performance and revenue
First checks total $32,687.96; a ~26.5% federal rebate (~$750K+ on $2.8M construction, potentially more with the $1M three-phase power cost) will help pay down the bond.
Ambulance ordinance to reduce emergency call volume
Two stations plus a fourth ambulance would be a major capital investment; ambulance service itself loses money significantly.
150,000 sq. ft. warehouse at 308 South River Road
The developer says the conditions could kill the project's financing; the town gains a large commercial property on the tax roll if it's built.
Trail Subcommittee
$14,193 approved now from a conservation fund of roughly $1.9 million, with tens of thousands more possible later.
Public Outreach Plan
No direct cost, but success determines whether a $40-60 million bond question can pass.
Conservation Land Purchase at 555 Wallace Road
Up to $335,950 for the land plus $30,000 for due diligence, leaving roughly $1.4 million in the Conservation Fund; house demolition costs would come later via competitive bid.
C-PACER Clean Energy Financing Program
No direct town cost; administrative burden can be assigned to the financing process.
DERA Diesel Grants for Town Equipment
Grant money could offset costs of electric loaders, skid steers, or generators in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Amended Historic District Regulations
Developed with grant funding; training sessions for the commission and residents are also grant-funded.
Federal grant for solar storage and EV charging requires 50% match
Grant funding amount not stated in available materials.
Severe drought approaching Bedford's border
Olympus Way private road paving dispute
Unknown — any town assistance would be a budget question for a future meeting.
PFAS contamination in wells south of Route 101
Extending the water main could cost the developer substantially, but may qualify for Drinking Water Trust Fund support.
Rehearing standards under RSA 677:3
No direct cost to the town beyond staff time for noticing and rehearing the case.
Declining franchise fee revenue at BCTV-WBNH
Six sports underwriters bring in $30,000 a year; the Men's Club donated $4,400 for a camera; no tax dollars fund the station.
Rundlett Hill Road speeding and pedestrian safety
A dedicated traffic officer would be a new line in the 2027 police budget.
Decisions during term (338)
Recorded while Soule was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Minutes from May 7, 2026 Meeting
Formation of Underwriting/Policy Subcommittee
Adjournment
Appointment of Kate Kelly to the Conservation Commission
Approval of 2027 Town Council meeting dates
Approval of minutes — Public Session October 14, 2026
Motion to enter non-public session (RSA 91-A:3, II-d)
Approval of Minutes – June 23, 2026
Preston Field Parking/No Parking – Case #10-01-2026
Adjournment
Approval of September 24, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Reschedule November and December meetings
Adjournment
Purchase of 2.4 acres at 555 Wallace Road (Marcia A. Marston Trust)
Award of bid 2026-1002 for IT servers and storage devices
Changes to the Town Council Rules of Procedure
Approval of September 23, 2026 public session minutes
Proceed with posting the Owners Project Manager RFQ
Approval of September 24, 2026 public session minutes
Approval of September 24, 2026 non-public session minutes
Voting record (43)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Motion to enter non-public session (RSA 91-A:3, II-d)
that the Bedford Town Council go into non-public session per RSA 91-2:3 II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property
to leave non-public session at 9:16 PM
to seal the minutes, because it is determined that divulgence of this information likely would render a proposed action ineffective
that the Bedford Town Council confirm the appointment of Paul Connolly as the Information Technology Manager for the Town of Bedford, effective July 20, 2026.
that the Bedford Town Council pursuant to RSA 466:14 authorize the town clerk and animal control officer on behalf of the Town Council to send civil forfeiture letters and collect civil forfeiture fin
to adjourn at 7:39 PM.
Confirmation of the Appointment of the Information Technology Manager
Approval of a Civil Forfeiture Warrant for unlicensed dogs
Appointment of William Carter as Town Clerk
Authorization to Sell Renewable Energy Credits
Approval of April 22, 2026 Interview and Public Session Minutes
She missed the April 22 meeting being approved.
Approval of May 6, 2026 Non-Public Session Minutes
the Bedford Town Council accept the 2025 Town boundary perambulation report and authorize the Town Manager to negotiate cost-sharing agreements with adjoining municipalities for any necessary monument
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 7: Operating Budget
the Bedford Town Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with the DOT regarding the reconstruction of the Nashua Road Bridge over Riddle Brook as the “Project Sponsor”
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 8: Capital Reserve Fund – Projects and Equipment
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 4
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 6: Shall the Town, if Article 5 is defeated, authorize the Town Council to call one special meeting, at its option, to address Article 5 cost items only
adjourn at 7:54 pm
NHDOT agreement for Nashua Road bridge reconstruction
Hoyle Tanner engineering contract for Nashua Road bridge
Acceptance of 2025 Perambulation Report
Recommend Article 4 — special meeting if Fire CBA fails
Recommend Article 6 — special meeting if Police CBA fails
Recommend Article 7 — 2026 Operating Budget
the Bedford Town Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into agreements with Hoyle Tanner, allowing up to $400,000 in current and future Local Roads funding to design, permit, bid, and secure rig
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 9: Capital Reserve Fund – BCTV Equipment and Infrastructure
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 12: Keno Games
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 10: Capital Reserve Fund – BCTV Equipment and Infrastructure
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 11: Citizen petitioned article-Skateboard Park
the Bedford Town Council not recommend Article 11
the Bedford Town Council recommend Article 13: Shall we prohibit the operation of games of chance within the Town of Bedford?
Recommend Article 8 — Capital Reserve Fund, Projects and Equipment
Recommend Article 9 — Capital Reserve Fund, BCTV Equipment and Infrastructure
Recommend Article 10 — Software Licensing Capital Reserve
Article 11 — Skateboard Park citizen petition: NOT recommended
Recommend Article 12 — Prohibit Keno games
Recommend Article 13 — Prohibit games of chance
the Bedford Town Council appoint Kathleen Bemiss to the Bedford Council to fill the remainder of the time until the next regular election for the seat declared vacant by the Council on January 14, 202
the Bedford Town Council increase the budget for the Library position
the Bedford Town Council move Article 8 Capital Reserve Fund as proposed in the original warrant
Amendment restoring the Library reference librarian position ($58,749)
Opposed to adding staff positions; consistency if given to the library it must be given to others.