Development News for Bedford, Massachusetts

Town Approves Pride Banner Display on Town Common

The Parents Diversity Council requested and received approval to display the "Bedford Embraces Diversity" Pride Banner during the month of June on the town common. This marks the fifth year for the banner, with the Parents Diversity Council taking over the initiative from the dissolved Bedford Embraces Diversity group. The request was approved by a 4-1 vote, with one member expressing a personal preference against the board weighing in on such matters but no animus towards Pride.

Select Board Approves New Three-Year Agreement with BCAT

The Select Board approved a three-year agreement with Bedford Cable Access Television (BCAT) as recommended by the Community Media Committee. A new clause, section 3.3, was added to the contract, requiring a 120-day notice period for termination, allowing for a potential transition into a town department or other service model within the three-year period. This provides stability for BCAT while offering the community media committee flexibility for future organizational changes. Discussions also touched upon the potential impact of streaming legislation on BCAT's funding, which currently relies on cable subscribers.

Select Board Interviews Law Firms for Town Counsel Position

The Bedford Select Board held a public hearing and interviewed two law firms, Anderson Krieger and KP Law, to serve as the town's legal counsel. Both firms presented their qualifications, experience, and approach to municipal law. Anderson Krieger, represented by Nina Pickering-Cook and Paul Commoners, highlighted their long-standing relationship with Bedford and proposed Paul Commoners as a deputy. KP Law, represented by Lauren Goldberg and Janelle Austin, emphasized their 100% municipal law focus and extensive experience across the state. The board discussed various aspects of the town counsel role, including responsiveness, risk management, policy advice, and navigating state mandates. The interviews were part of the process to select a firm for legal services.

DPW Contracts Approved Amidst Discussion of No-Bids and Price Increases

The Department of Public Works (DPW) presented contracts for materials and services, including regular two-year bids and rebid items. Concerns were raised about a 'no bid' for water treatment chemicals and a 'no award' for trench milling and patching. The DPW Director explained that for water treatment chemicals, no bids were received, and the town will procure them on the open market while exploring options with MWRA. For trench milling and patching, the town chose not to award and would re-bid if the service is needed, though it's not currently programmed for the year. Price increases and longer lead times were noted as current challenges.