Compiled by The Bedford Citizen
Marching to their traditional fifers’ tune, the Bedford Minutemen posted the colors as Monday’s 2015 Annual Town Meeting opened with an invocation by Rabbi Susan Abramson. It was developed in collaboration with a prayer written last year by Bedford’s Interfaith Clergy Association. The final stanza is Rabbi Abramson’s.
May our beloved Town of Bedford be blessed with healing from all hatred,
May our homes overflow with loving kindness
May all our children grow up in the safety that encourages them to be their own best selves,
May our public spaces welcome strangers and friend swith abundant grace,
And may our citizens of all backgrounds and traditions share generously with and learn eagerly from one another.
May the words we speak this evening be filled with wisdom, reflective of our loftiest goals for all members of our community. May the opinions we express and the votes we take reflect our dedication and commitment to the common good and the welfare of our town.
The following articles were decided during Monday’s meeting:
Article 1: Reports of Town Officers and Committees
Sandra Hackman offered an update on the Planning Board’s Comprehensive Plan and Mark Siegenthaler, Chair of the Selectmen, read the annual list of memorials to individuals who have served the Town of Bedford:
- Elmer Cornelius Bartels: Ad Hoc Page School Study Committee 1982-1983; Architectural Barriers Committee 1992-2007; Handicapped Access 1984-1991
- Jack Berberian: Business Manager, School Department 1972-1979
- Janet B. Blake: Measurer of Wood, Bark and Manure 1992
- Carol M. Connors: School department 1973-2007; Election worker 2009-2014
- George Dalrymple: Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee 1982-19831989-1991, and 1997-1998; Cable Television Committee 1992-2006; Council on Aging 1993-1998; Election Officer 1994 – 1995; Fire Station Addition Building Committee 1964-1965; Historic District Commission 1965-1971; Schools & Municipal Space Needs III 1998-2001; Sketch Plans – Fire Department Future Building Needs 1963-1964
- Mary Donahue: Tax Collector’s Office 1983-2008; Election worker 1988-1998
- Claire French: School Superintendent’s Office 1978-2003
- Lawrence E. Gardini: School Custodian 1990-2003
- Marguerite Hamilton: School Employee 1997-1999
- Constance Ann Hanley: Adult-Ed Teacher 1985; Assistant in Business Office 1982-1996; Election officer 1978-1999: Rose Lois: Election worker (2003-2012)
- Alfred McLaughlin: Fence viewer 1968-1974; Ice area study committee 1972; Municipal building committee 1970; Police station study committee 1971; Sewer study committee 1971-1972
- John M. McMahan: Ration Board, 1968-1973; Special Police Officer 1968-1974
- Frances Mello: School Nurse 1968-1985
- James E. O’Donnell Jr.: Department of Public Works 1951-1952; Firefighter 1956-1988
- Marie E. “Betty” Primmerman: Assessor’s Office retired 1965-1978
- Mary Jayne Ramsay: Public Works Department 1967-1983: Finance Department 1987-2011
- Ernest L Scheyder: Election worker 2005-2012
- Sandra L. Shanklin: Davis School Secretary 1986-2003
- Carl Silvestrone: Fence Viewer 1993; Public Works Heavy Equipment Operator 2001-2002; Sewer System Operator 2002-2014; Chief Sewer System Operator 2014-2015
- Coral Gillespie Webber: Public Health Nurse 1964-1965
- Robert Yanosick: Firefighter 1962-1988
According to Town tradition, this Resolution will be inscribed in the permanent record of the 2015 Annual Town Meeting, and notification theeof will be sent to members of their families.
Article 2: Debate Rules, Approved
Article 3: Consent, Approved
Article 4: Amend Cable Television Revolving Fund Expenditure Limit, Approved
Article 5: Reauthorization of Revolving Funds, Approved
Article 6: Bills of Prior Years, Approved
Article 7: General Bylaw Amendment – Volunteer Coordinating Committee, Approved
Article 8: General Bylaw Amendment – Cable Television Committee, Failed
Article 9: Home Rule Petition for Additional Alcoholic Beverage Licenses, Approved as amended – Correct a typographical error to read “section 12 and 17 (not 77)” and to say “additional licenses” for further clarity.
Article 10: Rescind Remaining Unused Portion of 2014 Bond Authorization for Bedford Street Sewer Force Main Improvement, Approved
Article 11: Bond Authorization – Bedford Street Sewer Force Main Improvement, Approved
Article 12: Bond Authorization -Amend Capital Project 09-17 Water Standpipe Painting and Preparations, Approved
Article 13: Proposed FY2016 Capital Projects Plan, Click to read details of the FY16 Capital Budget Voted on March 23 2015
Article 14: Amend FY2015 Community Preservation Budget, Approved
Article 15: Community Preservation Budget – Fiscal Year 2016, Approved, Click to read details of the FY16 CPC funds voted on March 23 2015
Votes on Tuesday, March 24
Article 16: Supplement Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2015 and Articles of the 2014 Annual Town Meeting, Postponed indefinitely
Article 17: Salary Administration Plan Bylaw Amendment – Classification & Wage Schedule, Approved
Article 18: Operating Budgets – FY2016, Approved with no holds
Article 19: Ambulance Enterprise Budget – Fiscal Year 2016, Approved at $904,912, of which only $34,000 will be from the tax levy
Article 20: Salary Plan Additional Funding, Approved at $165,777
Article 21: Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund Appropriation, Approved at $565,368
Article 22: Supplement Accrued Sick Leave Fund, Approved at $25,000
Article 23: Salary Administration Plan Bylaw Amendment – Classification & Wage Schedule, Postponed indefinitely
Article 24: Free Cash, Approved at $3,137,000 leaving a balance of $800,811.
The meeting was adjourned sine die by Selectman Chair Mark Siegenthaler.
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