Learning About the Bedford Police Department ~ Part IV of IV

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What will the Bedford Police Department look like in three years?

A strategic planning process is underway to help answer that question. And Chief Robert Bongiorno and Town Manager Sarah Stanton want residents to have an opportunity to contribute.

“We want this plan to be a living, breathing, working document, so what we identify is achievable,” Bongiorno said. “Strategic plans provide a roadmap for the future. That’s why they’re effective.”

2020 COVID-19

School Committee Approves Plan for Schools to Reopen Under Hybrid Model

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At an over-subscribed Zoom meeting that became a webinar with 479 participants on August 5, the School Committee heard a presentation and recommendation by Superintendent Philip Conrad, questioned district leadership about the school reopening process, and ultimately voted to approve a plan that would allow schools to open this Fall under a hybrid model.

Fawn Lake ~ Weekly Update ~August 7, 2020

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The Dredgit crew made significant progress this week, erecting and connecting the multiple pieces of equipment needed for the dredge operation.  The screener, shaker, conveyors, centrifuges, and dewatering tanks are all in line ready to start.  Additionally, the weed harvester has made several passes across the lake to cut and remove the water lilies in preparation for the dredge operation.  This alone has made a significant visible improvement to the lake.  Approximately 50 cubic yards of aquatic vegetation has been cleared.

2020 School Year

School Committee Votes to Begin the Year with Hybrid Model

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In an epic School Committee meeting that began on Wednesday evening and ended in the very earliest hours of Thursday, members voted unanimously to support the following motion:

Moved that the Bedford School Committee approve the fully in-person, hybrid and fully remote learning plans as presented, and that the district begins the 2020-2021 school year using the hybrid model.

Furthermore, should the hybrid or fully in-person model be implemented, families will have the option to go all remote if they so choose, and that between now and the opening of schools, the Reopening Task Forces and the Bedford Educator Association will continue to work on the operational details for each model.  

Honoring John Lewis and Reflecting on One Book One Bedford in 2017 ~ ‘The MARCH Trilogy’

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Just a week ago, on Thursday, July 30, Rep. John Lewis’ funeral was held at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.  The congressmen and civil rights hero died on July 17 from pancreatic cancer.  His passing and the recent focus on systemic racism and bigotry in our country, has made the 2017 One Book, One Bedford community-wide read of Lewis’ MARCH trilogy even more pertinent and meaningful.

Three events from the series of activities that year are particularly worth re-visiting.  If you did not attend them, please consider watching the videos from those talks – they pose questions that we still wrestle with, and offer possible solutions that are more important now than ever.

Bedford

Compost Center Open This Saturday, Next Wednesday For Tropical Storm Isaias Clean-up

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Tropical Storm Isaias paid a visit to Bedford Tuesday afternoon and left some residents with the task of clearing fallen branches and other tree debris. The Department of Public Works wants to remind Bedford residents that they can bring the branches and debris to the Compost Center.

The Compost Center, located at 108 Carlisle Road, will be open this Saturday (August 8) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and next Wednesday, August 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Bedford

A New Snap Poll: What’s Bedford Thinking about Mail-in Voting?

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With the Massachusetts Primary just  27 days off, this week’s What’s Bedford Thinking’ snap poll has just posted.

Some states are making it easier for people to use mail-in voting options in the November election. How concerned, if at all, are you about mail-in voting?

Features

….and the answer is

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Sports are back……yawn.   Apparently readers of The Bedford Citizen are not all that excited about professional sports being back. 

Bedford

So Long, Isaias!

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Wednesday morning’s national news was full of destruction and deaths caused by Tropical Storm Isaias as it made its quick trip up the east coast. Bedford came through Isaias relatively unscathed, with just one house suffering significant damage.

Extra, Extra!

Barrel House Z coming to Bedford this Thursday August 6th

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As we mentioned earlier Barrel House Z is coming to Bedford. The original plan was to come back in January, but, like a lot of things, the pandemic upset the schedule. They’re still coming and they will start with a pop-up tent introduction this Thursday.

Extra, Extra!

Town Manager Sarah Stanton to Hold Virtual Office Hours on August 11

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Bedford Town Manager Sarah Stanton invites you to join her for virtual Office Hours on Tuesday, August 11 between 10:00 am – 11:30 am. 

Residents and other interested individuals who wish to attend must sign up using this form no later than Monday, August 10 at noon. 

Bedford

In a Pickle ~ UPDATE ~ Isaias Didn’t Stay in Bedford Very Long

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Sunshine broke through Isaias’s clouds late Tuesday afternoon. At 5:45 there were no reports of power outages or downed limbs.

The wind continued to gust, but a closer look at the Weather Underground map shows Bedford apparently in the clear. Wind gusts up in excess of 50 miles per hour were recorded in Bedford, but only .17 inch of rain. The tornado watch that was called early today, remains in effect until 9 pm.

2020 COVID-19

Town of Bedford ~ Update on Covid-19 ~ Monday, 3 August 2020

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Editor’s Note: In addition to the current case count, read important information about adjustments to Bedford’s Food Bank now being held on Thursday afternoons.

Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, August 3, 2020

Extra, Extra!

Bedford Arts and Crafts Society Awards its 2020 Scholarship to Michelle Voong

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Michelle Voong is the recipient of the 2020 art scholarship from the Bedford Arts and Crafts Society (BACS). Michelle graduated this year from Bedford High School and works primarily with ceramics and sculpture. She will attend the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and plans to study graphic arts and marketing.

Schools

Superintendent’s Update on Reopening the Bedford Schools ~ July 31, 2020

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Hello Bedford Schools Community,

It has been another very busy week! The entire district leadership team, each building reopening task force, the district reopening task force, and town officials have all been working cooperatively to answer the Sixty Four Thousand Dollar Question (The $64,000 Question) how do we reopen [Bedford’s] schools in the fall in a way that accounts for the academic, social-emotional, health and safety needs of our students, parents, faculty, and staff and all of our families.

Our collaborative decision-making process has been guided by our core values and our commitment to the health and safety of our students, teachers, faculty, and staff

Extra, Extra!

Learning About the Bedford Police Department ~ Part III of IV

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Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles about the Bedford Police Department – its philosophy, values, personnel, partnership, and plans – and how they fit into the current national conversation.  Click this link to read Part I, or this link to read Part II.

The Bedford Police Department likes to say it’s value-driven. As Chief Robert Bongiorno puts it, “We respond to good people who are having a bad day. We are here to serve.”

Conversations with a range of Police Department personnel – all Bedford High School graduates — indicate that they all walk the walk.

Bedford

Household Hazardous Waste Collection ~ Saturday, August 15 ~ Online Registration Required

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To take advantage of free hazardous waste material drop-off at the Minuteman Hazardous Waste Products Regional Facility, located at 60 Hartwell Avenue in Lexington, Bedford residents will need to preregister online using an Event Bright link provided by the Town of Lexington.

The next collection will take place from 9 am until 2 pm on Saturday, August 15.

Community News

Summer Thrift Shopping Event at First Church of Christ

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The  First Church of Christ “Sumer Thrift Shopping Event” has transformed Upper Fellowship Hall into a safe and fun “Thrift Shop” open to the public on  Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in August, from 10 am to 2  pm. The first shopping time slot each day (10 to 10:30 am) reserved for seniors over the age of 60.

Unlike the annual Rummage Sale that usually takes place in May, the Thrift Event is smaller in scale, with better items available.  “Church members and friends have been bringing in beautiful things, from entire ‘Christmas Villages’ to crystal, cut glass dishes, and fancy teacups” said Becky Mantz, chair of the event.  “There are also plenty of games and toys for kids, DVDs and books, sports equipment, and a whole lot more!”

Town of Bedford ~ Update on Covid-19 ~ Thursday, 30 July 2020

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In addition to the current case count, today’s update includes the following information:

Diapers and Personal Items Available for Residents In Need
Hand Sanitizer Recall
Governor’s COVID-19 Travel Order
Need a COVID-19 Test?
Food Bank-New Location and New Time!

Bedford

Dot’s Reading Room: Steve Coll in The New Yorker ~ The US Postal Service and the Upcoming Election

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Is the Postal Service Being Manipulated to Help Trump Get Reëlected? By Steve Coll in The New Yorker, July 29, 2020. Read Coll’s New Yorker article here: https://tinyurl.com/y3wtz2za

The headline may be alarmist but many of us have genuine concerns about mail-in ballots in the coming election.  As Steve Coll (Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University) points out in this article, different states have different dates for accepting and counting mail-in ballots. 

Childcare Providers and Preschools Find Innovation Among Strict Regulations

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As businesses around the state continue to reopen, parents face the challenge of finding childcare. Governor Baker’s executive order closed all but essential child care programs as of March 22, 2020. Childcare agencies were able to open in late June but face strict regulations as they reopen.