By Kim Siebert MacPhail
Because a number of factors have contributed to steep losses in school lunch revenues, Food Service Director Ken Whittier and Director of School Finance David Coelho presented a proposal to the School Committee on May 14 to raise lunch prices at the elementary schools by 25 cents. The result is that a regular lunch at those schools next year will cost $2.50.
By Kim Siebert MacPhail
Bedford High School Principal Henry Turner presented the annual school improvement plan to the School Committee on May 14, receiving unanimous support for the BHS Advisory-Council-approved proposal. Turner explained that this year’s plan for the coming academic year has four main goals: read more…
This Hartwell Road property will become the “Athena Lane” subdivision
By Kim Siebert MacPhail
A well-attended public hearing took place on May 14 to address an application by “Homes by Anna, LLC” for a two-house subdivision and private way called Athena Lane off Hartwell Road. Planning Board members reacted favorably to specifications of the plan, calling developer Anna Wallace’s intent to spare mature trees on the parcel “thoughtful.” Pam Brown, the attorney representing Wallace in this matter, requested that the Planning Board approve the subdivision and waive some of the usual road construction standards— such as street lighting requirements— for the driveway-scale private road.
Bedford’s new Veterans’ Service Officer William Linnehan (r) with Lexington’s Ryan Lennon
Submitted by Bedford Youth and Family Services
In February Bedford and Lexington formed a district to better serve the veterans of both towns. That plan was formally approved by the Selectmen from both communities as well as the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services in Boston.
The Blake Block behind the snow fence installed to alert pedestrians to the change in grade between the sidewalk and the curb.
On May 14, the Planning Board discussed two minor special permit amendments involving 62–88 The Great Road, otherwise known as The Blake Block. Owner Bruce Blake and attorney Pam Brown proposed the addition of a barrier of Japanese holly that would prevent pedestrians from inadvertently falling off the edge of the tiered sidewalk into The Great Road. Blake and Brown also negotiated the placement and capacity of bike racks on the property, ultimately receiving permission to drop the number of accommodations from 16 bicycles to 14. read more…
With its demolition completed, Bedford’s Travelodge is now just a memory – Montage, courtesy Mary Firestone, (c) all rights reserved, 2013
By Kim Siebert MacPhail
The Travelodge at 285 Great Road has been demolished and there are no definitive plans for what will happen next on the site.
According to Code Enforcement Officer Chris Laskey, the demolition of the Travelodge building began at the end of April because the owner of the property –Great Road Shopping Center LLC—decided to act before the demolition permit, approved in October 2012, expired.
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- The Travelodge as it was
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- Demolition in progress
Submitted by the 60th Annual First Parish Plant & Craft Fair
There will be dozens of artisans and craftspeople on Bedford Common when the 60th Annual First Parish Plant & Craft Fair opens at 10 am on Saturday, May 18.
There will also be a terrific selection of heritage perennials from our parishioners’ gardens, hearty locally-grown annuals and a grocery garden with herbs, veggie six-paks and tomatoes.
You’ll be wise to arrive early for the best plants and remain on the Common for an early cookout lunch, or our bake sale treats, and to peruse the wares of our visiting craftspeople. Who’ll be there?
The Citizen Digest contains links to stories about Current Events taking place within the next two weeks, a list of Coming Attractions for which you may wish to save the date, a list of important Community Announcements, links to pages with information about local institutions, and a guide to using The Citizen Digest to publicize your organization’s events.
Bedford Event Listings through Wednesday, May 29
Members of First Parish’s Peace and Justice Committee Ivy Pompei, Joe Pompei, Virginia Packer, Susan Worthen McCombs and David Packer stand behind Monday evening’s three panelists, Rabbi Joseph Berman, Rev. Lucas Johnson and Dr. Alice Rothchild (seated, l-r) with Lois and Brown Pulliam
Submitted by Lois Pulliam for the Peace and Justice Committee of First Parish on the Common
Occupation of Palestinian land by Israeli settlers was discussed as a civil rights issue during a panel presentation on Monday night, May 13, at First Parish in Bedford. The meeting was sponsored by the church’s Peace and Justice Committee, with David Packer as moderator.
read more…
The Boston Athenaeum and the MFA: Bedford Author Hina Hirayama Speaks at First Parish Lyceum
Submitted by First Parish on the Common in Bedford
Hina Hirayama with some of the treasures in the Boston Athenaeum exhibit “With Eclat: The Boston Athenaeum and the Origin of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston”
Bedford resident Hina Hirayama will speak on her book, With Éclat: The Boston Athenæum and the Origin of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2013.) at the Bedford Lyceum, First Parish in Bedford on Sunday May 19 at 9 am.
