Bedford Wins State Award for Innovation

March 20, 2013

Submitted by Healthy Bedford coordinator Carla Olson

Carla Olson, Margot Fleischman and Sue Baldauf accepted the
Carla Olson, Margot Fleischman and Sue Baldauf accepted the Innovation award

At the Annual Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Forum on March 13, 2013, Bedford Safe Routes to School Program was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) for “Innovation in SRTS Programs.”

The award for Innovation in Safe Routes to School Programs speaks to how one community or individual utilizes the resources and education provided to them by MassDOT and the Safe Routes to School Outreach Team to put their own stamp on their program. Bedford was commended for “steadfast growth and inspired vision in establishing a Safe Routes to School program within their community’s culture.”

The award was presented by Ned Codd, Director of Project-Oriented Planning, Mass DOT to and accepted by Healthy Bedford Coordinator Carla Olson and Bedford Youth & Family Services Director Sue Baldauf, on behalf of the Bedford Safe Routes to School Program.  Codd went on to elaborate before the audience of 100 forum attendees about Bedford’s success:

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“Ms. Olson and Ms. Baldauf oversee a Safe Routes to School Task Force, which includes representation from each of the schools, the Department of Public Works, the Board of Health, the Board of Selectmen, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee.  Under their leadership, this group of dedicated individuals has built a robust Safe Routes to School program that annually celebrates International Walk to School Day, Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day, and Bike Week, complete with park and walk sites, signage, and police and fire involvement.”

Representatives from the Bedford Safe Routes to School/Toward a Healthier Bedford Task Force was honored and delighted to receive this award for the community.

In addition to Olson and Baldauf, the Task Force includes Selectman Margot Fleischman, Public Health Director Heidi Porter, Department of Public Works Director Rich Warrington, Chief of Police Robert Bongiorno, Davis School Assistant Principal Andrea Salipante,  Lane School Principal Rob Ackerman, JGMS Principal Kevin Tracey, Bicycle Advisory Committee Chair Terry Gleason, Trails Committee Liaison Ralph Hammond, and MassDOT SRTS School Outreach Coordinator Heather Ross.

For more information on Safe Routes to School, or the Toward a Healthier Bedford project, see www.bedfordma.gov/BedfordInMotion

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