By Jeffrey Epstein
The Town will hold a Special Town Meeting on July 30 at 7:30 pm in the Bedford High School Auditorium to consider two matters: the Navy hanger property on the south side of Hartwell Road, and an operating appropriation to implement a collective bargaining agreement with Emergency Communications Officers. The official Warrant is available online at https://www.bedfordma.gov/home/news/july-30-2018-special-town-meeting-warrant
Articles 2 and 3 of the Warrant would give the Selectmen authority to acquire the Navy hanger property located on the south side of Hartwell Road, and Article 3 would rezone that 16-acre parcel from Industrial A on the zoning map to Residential C.
The Navy hanger parcel is federal surplus property, and the Navy is expected to offer it at auction later this year. It may be necessary for the Town to formally bid for the property in the auction in order to acquire it. Selectman Michael Rosenberg said up to 19 housing units could fit on the lot, but the primary consideration was to prevent “unfriendly industrial development” if a private developer were to win the auction.
The Selectmen would like to see the property used for affordable housing, but right now that is still only a concept. It is unclear whether hazardous materials that seeped into part of the parcel decades ago would preclude development, or how any historical status of the property would affect its value. (See: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2018/07/historic-preservation-commission-weighs-in-on-navy-hanger-acquisition/)
However, Bedford can’t do anything with the Navy hanger property unless it owns it, so the point of the STM is to allow the Selectmen to seek to acquire the parcel, probably at auction. In discussing the matter at the Selectmen’s meeting Monday night, Chair William Moonan said a property assessment now underway might be ready in time for the STM. Meanwhile, the Planning Board also needs to recommend a rezoning proposal, but that is also expected to happen before the STM.
The Selectmen endorsed Article 2 Monday night and provisionally endorsed Article 3 subject to the Planning Board’s action. They also endorsed Article 4, the labor agreement. The Selectmen expect to meet just before the STM to tie up any loose ends if necessary.
Selectman Rosenberg urged citizens to come out for the summertime STM to ensure the votes can happen.
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