At their October 7 meeting, the Selectmen addressed Department of Public Works and Conservation Commission updates, solar panel and HVAC improvements on town property, Verizon license renewal, closed the town warrant for the November 4 Special Town Meeting, and considered proposed town charter changes.
Department of Public Works
The Selectmen reviewed the many proposed updates from the Department of Public Works. One change discussed was a proposal for the Bedford VA to utilize the Bedford water supply over the current Lexington supply. The Town of Lexington raised concerns over the lost revenue if the VA were to primarily use Bedford water.
The Selectmen were updated on the Fawn Lake dredging, and dam improvements project. Dredgit Corporation was successfully awarded the contract for a total of $1,800,000. Dredgit anticipates that the project will commence in early spring and finish in late summer of 2020.
As Bedford looks to improve water system quality, two new options were presented. Bedford can either route water through Burlington utilizing their water system running up Middlesex Turnpike or have a direct MWRA connection built through Burlington to the Bedford line. The Department of Public Works “plans to give periodic updates as progress is made.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reimbursed Bedford $393,250 for the Hartford, Crescent Avenue, and Bacon Road roadway reconstruction project. The state funding was made possible through the MassDOT Complete Streets program.
Facilities Updates
The Selectmen welcomed a large gathering of Mothers Out Front activists who attended the meeting in support of the proposed town solar panel improvements.
Solar Panels
Director of Facilities Taissir Alani addressed the Selectman on town-wide Solar. Alani presented two viable options for Bedford: Solect Energy and Enel X. Both proposals plan to utilize solar panels on top of Bedford High School.
This improvement would generate an estimated $15,400 during the first year. An alternate program would generate $36,751 by utilizing rooftop and carport solar panels.
Alani stressed the importance of solar due to environmental sustainability, as well as economic advantages. During the first year alone, Bedford would save $7,400 just from not having to pay steep demand charges by EverSource.
Solect Energy or Enel X would remain in possession and management of solar panels, while the town would benefit from a portion of the energy generated.
If implemented in the High School, the Department of Public Works, Town Hall, and Town Center, the town would save $35,100 during the first year.
However, despite the benefits, adding solar panels on the high school raises concerns over the integrity of the school’s roof. Replacing the roof would require additional funds starting with the Capital Expenditures Committee.
Selectman Bill Moonan raised concerns over what would happen to the panels if the companies were to fail. Town Manager Sarah Stanton was under the impression that the panels would remain under town possession, but would also require the state to conduct other functions to maintain the panels.
Library HVAC Replacement
Facilities Director Alani along with Loucas Cronis, Todd Mason, and Ron Burke, representatives from Northeast Engineering, addressed the Selectmen over the current status of HVAC in the town library.
Currently, there are two sections of HVAC in the library: 15,000 sq. ft. from the 1968 building and 20,000 sq. ft. from the1999 addition. However, despite the systems still functioning, the building automation and controls are no longer functional, and the heating and cooling water piping is in poor condition.
There is also interest in utilizing energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) which will help recover heating and cooling energy and also help provide compliant code ventilation. Utilizing new technologies will provide much higher net energy efficiency.
The updated HVAC systems could also utilize solar energy if panels were added on the rooftops of the Library. Other improvements to the Library were discussed, including converting the exterior and stairwell lighting into LED.
The current plan for these improvements is currently in front of the Capital Expenditures Committee. This plan is part of the town’s implementation of Bedford’s Net-Zero policy.
Verizon License Renewal
Selectman Emily Mitchell reviewed the updates behind the town’s Verizon license renewal. According to a 2018 survey, there are 2,400 Bedford TV subscribers on Verizon FIOS. Mitchell discussed her own experience viewing Bedford TV not on television, but rather on YouTube.
The poll found that 59% of respondents opposed an additional $1 for PEG (Public, Educational, Government Access) channels. The 0.75% rate increase is an estimated 67 cents per month. Prior to the hike, subscribers paid 3.5%, but will now pay 4.25%.
The Community Media Committee expressed their worries about the rate hikes. The committee advised against additional fees due to their concern that the increase would lead to limited viewership of PEG channels.
The rate hike was approved by the Selectmen unanimously.
Charter Changes
Town Moderator and Charter Review Committee Chair Cathy Cordes presented proposed changes to the town charter. One change would give the Town Manager oversight of the Board of Assessors, with the Board being appointed rather than elected. The motion failed, 3-1-1; Moonan in favor, Pierce abstained.
Articles 18 and 19 were approved unanimously.
Warrant Review
Selectmen discussed changes to the proposed warrant for the November 4 Special Town Meeting. Articles one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight, fourteen, and fifteen were approved unanimously. The Selectmen moved to recommend action at Special Town Meeting for articles seven, eight, and ten.
Note: The Warrant for the November 4 Special Town Meeting will soon be available on the town website; a paper copy will be mailed to every household prior to the meeting.
Conservation Commission
Vice-chair Steven Hagan and several members of the Conservation Commission addressed the Selectmen about allegations that the commission violated Open Town Meeting law.
In late July, Town Manager Sarah Stanton cautioned the Commissioners that their meeting on Friday, August 2nd, could not be held because Town Hall is not open on Friday afternoons.
Despite multiple emails sent between July 31 and August 1 discussing the cancellation of the August 2 meeting, it still took place. Selectman Chair Mike Rosenberg read the emails to his colleagues, detailing correspondence between the Town and Commission members. In an email written on Thursday, August 1, the conservation administrator announced that they were “re-advertising the public hearing for the meeting for August 14.”
Selectman Margot Fleischman highlighted the importance of Open Town Meeting law as violations in other communities have been severely penalized.
Hagan rebutted accusations that the Commission has additional violations of the Open Meeting Law repeatedly stating that “no evidence has been presented to date, to validate the accusation of past violations of Open Meeting Law.” He claimed that despite Town Hall being closed, the meeting took place on the outdoor steps, which were accessible to the public on that Friday afternoon.
Chair Rosenberg stood by Town Counsel’s opinion that the Conservation Commission did, in fact, violate Open Town Meeting Law.
Open Discussion and Liaison Reports
Discussion continued about the importance of rotating committee chairmanships.
Selectman Emily Mitchell attended the Massachusetts Office on Disability Summit to better meet the needs of Bedford residents with disabilities.
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