Novel Coronavirus ~ A Message from Bedford’s Board of Health

By The Bedford Board of Health | 12 hours ago

A Novel Coronavirus is leading to respiratory disease and affecting those in certain provinces in China.

The CDC — Centers for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and other government agencies are monitoring the situation.

Currently, the risk to residents in Massachusetts is low.

If traveling to China or other parts of Asia, please check here and here for updates and precautions.

Residents Raise Concerns about Proposed 330 South Road Housing Project

Abutters and several residents from other neighborhoods in Bedford turned out for the Housing Partnership meeting on January 22. They came to learn more about the proposed redevelopment of the property at 330 South Road, at the intersection of Summer Street and South Road.

Massachusetts Senate Unveils Next Generation Climate Policy

Against a backdrop of devastation that rages from the Amazon to Australia to California, the Massachusetts State Senate has proposed major new steps in advancing the state’s approach to combating global warming.

Local Senator Mike Barrett is the lead author of the Senate’s next-generation climate policy legislation, which just received a favorable report by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, teeing it up for consideration on the Senate floor next week.

Minuteman Bikeway Extension ~ MassDOT 25% Design Public Hearing Scheduled for February 6

Public comment is invited on the 25% design for the Minuteman Bikeway Extension at a public hearing at 7 pm on Thursday, February 6 in the Reed Room at Bedford Town Hall.

Immediate abutters were informed of the hearing by mail on January 16, 2019.

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Another Solution to the Looming Climate Crisis

Letter to the Editor: Senator Markey Spoke About the Green New Deal at Acton Town Hall Meeting

Community News

Introducing Peter J. ‘Pete’ Bagley, the New Executive Director for Bedford Chamber of Commerce

The Bedford Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Peter J. Bagley has started in the role of Executive Director. Pete joined us mid-December as Maureen Sullivan retired. He brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in marketing and consulting for businesses throughout the Boston area and across the United States.
Coyote and Wildlife Safety, from the Bedford Board of Health

Coyotes have been a recent news topic as humans have had encounters with coyotes while out enjoying nature as well as directly in their neighborhoods. Coyotes remain active year-round and do not hibernate. Coyotes can be active night or day, and sightings at dawn or dusk are common. As with all types of wildlife, human interaction should always be limited as much as possible. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and know what to do if you come in contact with a wild animal. People should never approach, touch, or give food to any animal. Such contact is not safe for people, pets, or wildlife. The following information focuses on coyotes but also applies to many other species of wildlife. This information was provided in part by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

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Government

Charter and Bylaw Review Committee Votes on Recommended Changes to Bylaws

In preparation for their presentation to Selectmen on January 27, the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee met on January 22 and voted to recommend proposed changes to the Town Charter’s Bylaws.
Rosemary Harvell Named Interim Town Clerk

On Tuesday evening the Selectmen approved Rosemary Harvell as Bedford's interim Town Clerk. Pamela Carakatsane resigned when the part-time position to which she was named on January 6 turned out to demand a full-time commitment. Bedford is fortunate to have secured Harvell's services. She retired in March 2019 after 13 years as Sudbury's Town Clerk. In her office on Wednesday morning Harvell smiled and said, "It was a great summer with the grandkids, but I am pleased to be able to help Bedford prepare for Annual Town Meeting and this year's multiple elections."

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Other

Bedford Fire Department Provided Mutual Aid for 4-Alarm Concord House Fire

Captain John Daniels, Lt Mark Casey, Firefighter Shaun Kennery, and Firefighter Brian Oates responded to assist in fighting the Concord fire. "It is heartening to see the strong work of the first arriving firefighters and the seamless transition to a team as the mutual aid firefighters worked together with the Concord firefighters under difficult conditions," noted Bedford Fire Chief David Grunes. In a joint statement Concord's Police Chief Joseph O’Connor and Fire Chief Thomas M. Judge with State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, announced that the cause of Friday's 4-alarm fire at the historic home at 240 Fairhaven Hill Road in Concord was caused by an accidental chimney fire.
Extra! Extra! How to get extra copies of the Bedford Guide

Do you love your copy of The Bedford Guide? Do you want to share a copy with out-of-town friends and family? Or have an extra copy for yourself? Well, we have the perfect solution. We printed extra copies. And you can get one!

Traveling: Arizona’s Canyons, Lakes, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument

This past fall while traveling out west mostly in Arizona and New Mexico, my husband and I traveled to Page, AZ to visit Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon was discovered a few years ago after a local farmer supposedly lost his cows and found them in this amazingly beautiful smooth-sided, red-walled canyon a few miles outside Page. It was on Navaho land and made famous by photographers who flocked there for the amazing light and color phenomenon of both the upper canyon and its more rigorous lower canyon. The Navahos give regular tours of both canyons and are very accommodating to tourists seeking good photographs of this spectacular place.
Issue 3 ~ Dot’s Reading Room ~ January, 2020

The Bedford Citizen's Board Member Emerita and Senior Copy Editor Dot Bergin scans the Internet for interesting publications about journalism and current events. In this installment, you'll find stories about the US Census, local journalism, and spotting fake news

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Sports

Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball – Spring Registration is Now Open!

Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball would like to welcome all Bedford and Hanscom AFB residents, from Kindergarten through High School, to register for spring baseball or softball. Player and Volunteer registration for all leagues runs from January 1 to March 15, 2020, and can be found at www.bedfordbaseballsoftball.com
Champions: Bedford’s 5th-Grade Girls Travel Team Wins Woburn Holiday Basketball Tournament

The Bedford Bucs 5th grade girls travel team won four games in three days to win the Woburn Holiday Tournament last week. The 5th-grade girls A Division included eight teams, Bedford, Dracut, Burlington, Chelmsford, Billerica, Haverhill, Marblehead and Woburn.

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