Bill Moonan Announces His Candidacy for Selectman

Special to The Bedford Citizen

Bill Moonan of 18 Crescent Avenue has announced his candidacy for re-election as a Bedford Selectman. He and his wife, former State Senator Carol Amick, have lived in Bedford for 43 years. They have two grown children.

Since his first election as Selectman, Moonan’s primary goals have been to identify creative solutions for Bedford’s fiscal responsibilities and challenges, and to protect Bedford’s historic and small-town character.

To realize the first goal, he has attended almost every Finance Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee (CapEx) meeting held since he was first elected nine years ago (he is the Selectman-member of CapEx) to offer his views as a retired financial officer in discussions about raising or expending funds. He poses similar questions at Selectmen’s meetings “to ensure that fellow decision-makers pause to consider the impact their decisions have on taxpayers and the wisdom of proceeding with a project in its proposed form or schedule before taking action,” Moonan said.

Working on his second major goal – to protect Bedford’s historic and small-town character, Moonan evaluates Town plans and objectives from those perspectives. During a previous term as Selectman, he chaired the Town’s Ad Hoc Historical Museum Study Committee, created to investigate potential Bedford History Museum locations. Using the Study Committee’s recommendations, he led the Selectmen through a process of identifying Old Town Hall as the most appropriate site for such a museum. His next step involves negotiations with the Bedford Historical Society to run the museum on behalf of the Town.

For several years, Selectman Moonan has worked with the Town’s Economic Development Coordinator and stakeholders to establish a Bedford Cultural District. The proposed district would encourage tourism and economic activity in a designated area encompassing historic, artistic and other cultural sites and venues. “We have received an initial response of support from the State, and hope to get the new Cultural District recognized in the fall, which would qualify it for state grant money,” Moonan said.

Selectman Moonan’s belief in government transparency led him to advocate for televising the Selectmen’s meetings – which is now done. He also promoted, and led the Selectmen to approve, a new Remote Participation Policy allowing the Town’s elected and appointed committee members to participate in meetings, even if they are out-of-town. This new policy makes it easier for residents who travel in their jobs to volunteer on Town committees and assures that all points of view will be available as governmental bodies make decisions.

Moonan also serves as the Chair of Bedford’s Historic District Commission, as well as a director of the Bedford Housing Authority and Town Center, Inc. His liaison responsibilities as a Selectman include attending meetings of and counseling the Depot Park Advisory Committee, Bedford Council on Aging, Community Media Committee, Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and the Fiscal Planning and Coordinating Committee, in addition to the Finance Committee and CapEx. A graduate of Yale and the Harvard Business School, he served as financial officer for both large and small corporations before his retirement.