The Bedford Citizen - Community-supported news for Bedford, Massachusetts since 2012

Potential Candidates Stand for Bedford’s 2021 Town Election

By The Bedford Citizen | 14 hours ago

With seats on several boards without candidates last week, as of Wednesday, Jan. 27, each contest has at least one candidate except the Board of Assessors. (Click this link to learn more about Ron Cordes’s thoughts about serving as an Assessor)

With thanks to the Town Clerk’s office for the list of residents who have visited the Town Clerk’s office to sign a statement of intent and collect a candidate packet that includes nomination papers.

Candidate packets are available through the Town Clerk’s office until 5 pm on Wednesday, February 5, and must be returned for verification of signatures by noon on Friday, February 8.

February 5 and must be returned for verification of signatures by noon on Friday, February 8.

School Committee Hears Cost to Return Elementary Students to School Full Time ~ Public Hearing on Budget Set for Feb. 2

School Committee Hears Cost to Return Elementary Students to School Full Time; Public Hearing on Budget Set for Feb. 2

Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad told the School Committee Tuesday that elementary school students could return en masse to their classrooms sometime in March for a cost of around $150,000. A decision is likely at the Feb. 23 School Committee meeting.

Conrad also noted that the principals of the middle and high school are evaluating how to integrate struggling students into classroom seats that are currently empty.

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases: 1 at Davis and 1 at Lane ~ January 27, 2021

January 27, 2021

* One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at Davis School (DS Case #17) no close contacts.
* One (1) new COVID-19 case at Lane School (LS Case #13) no close contacts.
* There is currently one (1) active COVID-19 positive case in the DS community and 2 (two) active cases in the LS community.
* These cases do not appear to be connected or related to previous cases identified in school.

The Climate Bill ~ A Bold Plan for Massachusetts and for Bedford

Mothers Out Front is excited about the climate bill recently refiled by Senate President Spilka and Speaker of the House Mariano. S.9, “An act creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy” is the same bill that was passed in early January, after intense negotiations by the Climate Policy Conference Committee, co-chaired by our own Senator Mike Barrett. He talked extensively about this bill at an online event last Sunday, sponsored by Metro West Climate Solutions and First Parish of Weston.

This landmark bill, the strongest climate legislation passed in at least a decade, includes many great initiatives to move our Commonwealth towards a sustainable future with a swift, complete, and just transition away from fossil fuels and their climate-disrupting carbon emissions. I use those three words because they embody the mission of Mothers Out Front.

Caution: Thin Ice ~ A Rescue at Fawn Lake

Fire Chief David Grunes on Tuesday, advised residents to “stay off all ice” outdoors. “Temperatures have been above average through this point in the winter,” he pointed out. “Adding to the hazards, some of our ponds are fed by underground springs that keep the water moving and impact the depth of the ice.” The chief’s reminder comes a couple of days after a resident rescued a youngster who had fallen through thin ice on Fawn Lake during a pickup hockey game on the Springs Road edge of the lake. Dan Walsh, who was skating nearby, said he heard the boy’s friends yelling. “He was struggling and couldn’t touch the bottom,” Walsh related. “I told them to all get back and I got on my belly and extended a hockey stick to him. He grabbed the blade and I pulled him. He was soaked right up to his neck.”
Introducing The Citizen’s Editorial Intern Jared Graf

The Bedford Citizen’s new editorial intern traces his interest in news writing to a high school English teacher. Jared Graf is a senior at Framingham State University, where his major is English with a concentration in journalism. He will be handling a broad range of assignments for The Citizen until mid-June.

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Government

Become a Candidate for Regional School Committee and Assure a Full Range of Opportunities for Bedford Students

When we moved to Bedford in 1975, I did not understand what Regional School Committee was. As my children advanced through the Bedford schools, I learned that it was Bedford’s version of the “voke ed” that I grew up with. But at that time, it meant automotive shop, for boys only. However, things have changed dramatically. I have always had an interest in vocational education with the belief that every student should find a school community that fits his/her needs and interests and also that some students are not on track for college. Neither of my children expressed any desire to leave Bedford’s schools and my exposure ended then. However, when a position became vacant on the Regional School Committee, I made inquiries and learned a lot fast.
Become a Candidate for Planning Board and Help to Define Bedford’s Built Environment

If you have ideas or concerns about key issues such as multi-unit housing, accessory dwelling units, commercial, industrial, and residential development, zoning bylaws, even changes to scenic roads-to mention only a few-please consider standing for election to the Planning Board, one of Bedford’s most influential elected bodies. Current Planning Board member Jeff Cohen is not running again and there are, at this moment, no candidates who have come forward to request nomination papers. Whether you are a long-time resident or a relative newcomer to town, this may be the moment to step up and help shape the future look of Bedford. This is a three-year term. You will join elected members Jacinda Barbehenn, Steven Hagan, Shawn Hanegan, and Amy Lloyd. Professional staff includes Tony Fields, Director, Catherine Perry, Assistant Director, and Admin Cathy Silvestrone who provide support and guidance.

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Schools

School Committee Hears Teacher Feedback

Jan. 19, 2021—The exigencies of being a Bedford teacher during the Covid-19 pandemic are taking their toll. Principals of Bedford four schools told the School Committee last week that most teachers are hurting. But they are also models of “flexibility, adaptability, resiliency.” “People are tired and frustrated – and we don’t blame them,” said John Glenn Middle School Principal Kevin Tracy. But he emphasized, “You would not be able to tell that if you were in our schools.” He added that appreciation for town support was clear from staff feedback. Bedford High School Heather Galante said the feedback was acquired through several channels: surveys at the end of last school year and at the beginning of this one, school council meetings, faculty, and departmental meetings, and, less formally, emails, phone conversations, and principals’ walks through their buildings. She said general themes emerged from the scores of comments: health and safety, self-care and wellness, expectations and workload, and teaching and learning. The goal of the summary, Galante said, is to provide a perspective from pre-kindergarten through high school, based on feedback received this year.
Superintendent’s Update ~ Friday, January 22, 2021

The January 22 message from Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad includes an appreciation for Bedford Embraces Diversity's MLK Day breakfast, notice of the schools' FY22 budget hearing on Feb. 2; an update on flu shots and DESE guidance, a link to the Town's Covid dashboard; and other information.

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Extra, Extra!

Need Shoveling Help? BHS Relay for Life Committee is Ready to Help

Need help clearing last night's snow? The Bedford High School Relay for Life Committee is ready to help after school today. Email rflbedfordma@gmail.com or DM the committee's Instagram @rflbedfordma to contact a student. Rates are reasonable, and do double duty by benefiting Relay for Life. Click this link to learn more about Relay 2021 in Bedford or read about 2020 BHS graduate Antranig Douglas's commitment to Relay for Life
Trivia in the Time of Pandemic: Dollars for Scholars Trivia Night Could Break a Record on Feb. 6

Who would have thought that this year of pandemic could be a record-breaker for Bedford Dollars for Scholars Trivia Night? There are 50 tickets remaining for the first virtual event, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. The organization already has sold 150, and 200 participants would be a record for the seven-year-old fundraiser. Ticket sales end when they are sold out or on Feb. 2

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Features

Observances will Continue at Bedford Common

"Bring a candle in a jar and stand with us on the Common this Friday, Jan. 22, at 5 pm," noted organizer Mark Bailey. "As a town and as a country, we are experiencing a generations-long collective trauma that began with the conquering of indigenous people and continued through slavery and Jim Crow and into the tensions that characterize our time. Our town’s cherished battle flag has been there for all of it.
From the Council on Aging: Advance Care Planning

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a safe and wonderful holiday. As we enter a new year, many of us think about creating a new year's resolution; a goal we set to achieve for the upcoming year ahead. While there are many meaningful goals we can set for 2021, with the uncertainty of this past year, a good new year’s resolution goal to set for this upcoming year is advance care planning.

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Sports

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases: 2 at BHS ~ January 26, 2021

January 26, 2021 * Two (2) new COVID-19 positive case at Bedford High School (BHS Case #40 & Case #41) close contacts have been identified with one of the cases. * There are currently three (3) active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS community. * These cases do not appear to be connected or related to previous cases identified in school.
Bucs Basketball: Tuesday’s Big Win Over Wayland

Trailing 26-4 after the first quarter, and losing a couple of players to injuries early in the game, the Bedford Bucs had their work cut out for them if they were going to compete with the unbeaten Wayland Warriors in boys’ basketball on Tuesday evening. “When you face a deficit like we had, along with some early adversity, you really get an idea of the makeup of your team,” Bedford coach Ryan Kilian said. “It takes a total commitment on both ends of the court, and great effort and execution to forge a successful comeback.”

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The Bedford Citizen - Community-supported news for Bedford, Massachusetts since 2012

Potential Candidates Stand for Bedford’s 2021 Town Election

By The Bedford Citizen | 14 hours ago

School Committee Hears Cost to Return Elementary Students to School Full Time ~ Public Hearing on Budget Set for Feb. 2

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases: 1 at Davis and 1 at Lane ~ January 27, 2021

The Climate Bill ~ A Bold Plan for Massachusetts and for Bedford

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Select Board Hires New Finance Director

What Does a Town Assessor Do?

Burks-Abbott Named to the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

By The Bedford Citizen | 14 hours ago

Related: What Does a Town Assessor Do?

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