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

Shared Streets Grant to Promote Public Health, Safe Mobility, and Renewed Commerce

By The Bedford Board of Health | 1 hour ago

Over the summer, the Town of Bedford was awarded $62,666 in Shared Streets grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to support projects that promote public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some existing needs and has created new ones, and these projects are intended to maximize opportunities for residents and visitors alike to take advantage of our Town resources including enhanced outdoor dining and other commercial, recreational, biking, and pedestrian facilities while supporting the recovery efforts of local businesses.

This update describes the changes that have been made possible by this grant, in collaboration with several Town Departments, committees, and business partners.

Hanscom Field Advisory Commission ~ September, 2020 ~ Part I

The impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to be evident on the runways and hangars at Hanscom Field.

But there’s an indisputable trend toward recovery.

Amber Goodspeed, Massport airport administrative manager for Hanscom Field, briefed members of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission on comparative flight operations during a September 15 videoconference.

Bedford Schools and Shawsheen Updates at the end of Week One

The first full week of classes is complete, both for the Bedford School Department and for the Bedford students who attend Shawsheen Valley Techical High School.

Superintendent Philip Conrad and Principal Jessica Cook shared messages with their communities on Friday afternoon.

Businesses will Remain Open and Acessible During Shawsheen Bridge Repairs ~ October 2 to 5

In order to repair the Shawsheen River bridge along The Great Road, through traffic will be detoured from 8 pm on Friday, October 2, until 5 am on Monday, October 5.

“Businesses will remain open and accessible at either end of the detour,” confirmed DPW Director David Manugian. “Whether you’re headed to Jiffy Lube or Stop and Shop, you’ll be able to get there.”

Saturday’s Walk-in Flu Clinic

According to Health Director Heidi Porter, 335 Bedford residents received flu vaccine during Saturday's Walk-In Clinic. With plenty of parking and pre-set appointments, there never seemed to be a crowd but rather a steady flow of senior citizens, adults, and young people arriving between 9 am and noon. Porter thanked Bedford's CERT team and the cadre of volunteer nurses who rounded out Saturday's staff.
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

Bedford renters who have been financially affected by Covid-19, including loss of employment, may now apply for emergency rental assistance grants, to maintain housing stability over the next four months. The program was approved by the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust at a recent meeting, after consultation with the Select Board. The trust has its own resources, separate from the municipal budget. The first round of payments was capped at a total of $40,000.

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Government

State Delegation Joins Town to Remind Residents About Bridge Repair

The bridge on The Great Road spanning the Shawsheen River near Stop and Shop Plaza will be closed for repairs from the evening of Friday, October 2, to the morning of Monday, October 5. State Representative Ken Gordon (D - Bedford), Senator Mike Barrett (D - Lexington), and Bedford Town Manager Sarah Stanton remind residents to seek alternate routes, if possible. The work will be contained within one weekend. The rehabilitation plan was developed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) after a recent Bridge Rating Report found that several of the bridge’s beams have an extremely low carrying capacity. The weekend of important repairs will restore the safety and structural stability of the bridge while minimizing inconvenience to residents and businesses. The bridge will re-open before the Monday morning commute and school bus schedule. “Given the current structure of the bridge, there is no getting around the necessity of these repairs. However, I am happy that MassDOT will be able to make them so quickly and with such little inconvenience to the town,” said Rep. Gordon when the construction was first announced. “Drivers will be detoured for the weekend, but it is a small price for a safe and stable bridge for years to come.”
330 South Road Project Wins Nod from Planning Board

At their September 22 meeting, the Planning Board endorsed the latest iteration of the proposed “Friendly 40B” development at 330 South Road, although the Board stopped short of offering a “blanket” approval, saying that certain details still need to be worked out.

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Schools

Superintendent’s Update ~ Sunday, September 27, 2020

was informed by the Bedford Board of Health that they received a laboratory testing report indicating that a school community member (i.e., student or staff) at Lane Elementary school has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19. The Bedford Board of Health immediately began case investigations. The first step in a school case investigation is to determine whether or not the positive case attended school during the infectious period. According to the MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) guidelines, the infectious period for COVID-19 is two days prior to becoming symptomatic or, if asymptomatic, two days prior to testing. The Board of Health determined that the positive school community member at Lane School was not present at school during their infectious period, therefore, no close contacts were identified among the school community in this situation.
School Committee’s First Meeting Focuses on Assuring Success in the 2020-2021 School Year

At the first School Committee meeting Tuesday since the start of school on Sept. 16, the focus shifted from understanding the intricate details of the reopening plan to ensuring success under the hybrid format and other administrative tasks. Reflecting on the start of school, Superintendent Philip Conrad said it was nice having students back at all four schools.

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Extra, Extra!

Easter Eggs, Flamingos, and Turkeys ~ Oh My!

Some days it truly is the simplest of things that give us pleasure, amusement, or a smile. Decorating an Easter Egg tree gives me all of those things and has been a tradition of mine for more than three decades – and some of my colorful eggs are clearly now a bit faded, fragile, and vintage. This year, the eggs went on the tree earlier than usual, in mid-March, as a little something to brighten my Covid mood. With so many neighbors out walking to pass the time, l noticed more and more people stopping to snap a photo and say, “Thank you for this spot of color in what seems like a dark time.” Easter has long passed and the eggs have remained on the tree for the cadre of neighborhood children (and their parents and others) who stop by daily to count the eggs and identify them by color. One of our favorite daily visitors is an adorable two-year young lady who lives close by and spends as much time as her family will allow with the egg tree. Bird feeders and a birdbath were added and attract a colorful array of wings and birdsong.
Bedford’s Neighbor Brigade says “Thanks for Your Gifts of Back-to-School Masks”

Thank you to everyone who donated masks to the Bedford MA Neighbor Brigade Back to School mask drive! We were able to collect or purchase, wash, iron, individually bag, sort by size, label, and deliver 455 masks in time for school to start. We brought 230 masks for distribution at the Bedford Food Bank, and 225 masks to the BPS Guidance Department in every color and pattern from tiny preschool to high school appropriate sizes.

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Features

Bedford Artists in the Time of Pandemic

Creating art is often a solitary experience, yet most artists want and need contact with other artists. The usual forums include on-site classes, art shows, critique groups, and visits to art museums. The coronavirus at first left many local artists alone in their studios. As the pandemic has stretched on, though, artists have reached out to one another in creative ways.
Bedford Explained ~ A Narrow Gauge Railroad Once Connected Bedford and Billerica

We had a request. A fan of Bedford Explained was curious about the narrow gauge railroad bed that runs from Depot Park all the way to Billerica. It's a great rail-trail now, but our fan, Adam, was curious about the history. So we went right to the expert, Jim Shea. Jim is the president of Friends of Bedford Depot Park. Below is the fascinating history he shared with us. Our “Two Footer” Was the Country’s First By: Jim Shea, Friends of Bedford Depot Park

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

Shared Streets Grant to Promote Public Health, Safe Mobility, and Renewed Commerce

By The Bedford Board of Health | 1 hour ago

Hanscom Field Advisory Commission ~ September, 2020 ~ Part I

Bedford Schools and Shawsheen Updates at the end of Week One

Businesses will Remain Open and Acessible During Shawsheen Bridge Repairs ~ October 2 to 5

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ZBA Approves Special Permit for Redevelopment of 19 Anthony Road

Letter to the Editor: Concerns about Conditions at Shawsheen Cemetery

What Does Bedford Think? Naming a Successor to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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By The Bedford Board of Health | 1 hour ago

Related: Superintendent’s Update ~ Sunday, September 27, 2020

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