Update: Special Town Meeting, 2107 ~ Night One Recap

Compiled by The Bedford Citizen

Special Town Meeting came to order last night shortly before 8 pm, with many residents still waiting in line. An overflow crowd filled the auditorium, the BHS library, and three classrooms.

The Bedford Citizen is working on several in-depth reports that will be posted later this week; meanwhile, here are last night’s decisions.

• Article 1 – Debate Rules — Passed on a voice vote
• Article 2 – Bedford’s Energy Assessment and Action Plan (NetZero is a petitioners’ article) Passed on a voice vote in all rooms
• Article 3 – Amendments Addressing Sign Illumination – Approved unanimously on a voice vote in all rooms
• Article 4 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment –Non-Medical Marijuana Use – Passed on a 2/3 counted ballot vote: 487 in favor of prohibition, 146 against
• Article 5 – General Bylaw Amendment – Marijuana Establishments – Passed on a voice vote
• Article 6 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Temporary Moratorium on Recreational & Non-Medical Marijuana Establishment Passed on a voice vote
• Article 7 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Military Housing Reuse Overlay District – Article failed on a voice vote as it did not get a 2/3 majority.
• Article 8 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Amendment to Bedford Zoning Map Former Coast Guard Property off Pine Hill Road – Postponed indefnitely

Town Meeting will reconvene at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 7 in the auditorium at Bedford High School.

Bedford TV’s video of the meeting is available on YouTube today thanks to Nick Giglio’s late-night editing.

Warrant articles remaining on Tuesday night’s agenda:

• Article 9 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Section 10 Nursing Care Facility
• Article 10 – Zoning Bylaw Designation of Nursing Care Facility
• Article 11 – Davis School Design & Construction Document Bond Authorization
• Article 12 – Bedford Woods Conservation Restriction Acquisition
• Article 13 – Grant of Easement – 13 School Avenue
• Article 14 – Infiltration/Inflow Work
• Article 15 – Community Preservation Surcharge Effective July 1, 2018
• Article 16 – Amend FY 2018 Community Preservation Budget
• Article 17 – Rescind Remaining Unused Portion of 2018 Bond Authorization for Bedford Village Expiring Use Project
• Article 18 – Land Acquisition Fund
• Article 19 – Amend FY 2018 Operating Budgets
• Article 20 – Bills of Prior Year
• Article 21 – Revisions to Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund