Annual Town Meeting Concludes Harmoniously on Third Night

By Jeffrey Epstein

The 2018 Annual Town Meeting unanimously approved a $90.3 million operating budget for Fiscal 2019 Monday night, concluding a three-night review of municipal articles. The estimated impact of the operating budget on residents is $1,312 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, according to published town documents. The total budget is $95.8 million.

Article 19, which would have provided additional funds to the budget if needed, was postponed indefinitely by agreement of the meeting, as recommended by the Finance Committee. All other articles were passed unanimously on voice votes.

Two line items in the operating budget were held for review on voter request: Account 1410 (Assessors) and Account 6300 (Recreation Committee).

The first hold was from a voter investigating the Assessors’ missed deadline [for the FY2018 tax classification hearing]. The board previously reported that it had missed the state-required deadline, which Assessor Ron Cordes said resulted in a compressed schedule for fourth quarter tax returns. Tax bills for the fourth quarter have been issued and are due May 1.

Cordes answered that the Board has hired a consultant to look into the matter, and the investigation is still underway. The Board has also requested an audit by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. See https://www.bedfordma.gov/board-of-assessors-0

The line item was then put to a voice vote and passed unanimously.

The question regarding the Recreation Commission was about the Town’s role in supporting Springs Brook Park, which the Selectmen confirmed was a request of the Recreation Commission. It was previously reported in The Bedford Citizen that an additional $80,000 was approved to support salaries at Springs Brook Park. See https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2018/02/fincom-hears-recreation-commissions-2018-summer-plan-springs-brook-park. This item was then also approved by unanimous voice vote. All remaining items were approved.

Prior to the motion to adjourn, Selectman Bill Moonan acknowledged that this is the last Town Meeting for Town Manager Rick Reed.  He asked the audience to show its appreciation for Reed ’s nearly 30 years of service. Reed was then given a standing ovation.

Annual Town Meeting 2018  adjourned sine die at 8:40 pm.

Correction, April 4, 2018: The budget impact on residents was incorrectly stated as $1.31; it is $1,312.