Bedford Town Council Meeting - October 8, 2025
Bedford Town Council Meeting - October 8, 2025
The Bedford Town Council met on October 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included public comment regarding a residential facility, approval of a community power coalition agreement, updates on a facility survey, and a town manager's report covering drought conditions, roadwork, and upcoming events. Councilors also engaged in a discussion about decorum and a non-public session on personnel.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kathy Schartzer (7 Roblin Road) detailed two incidents involving a residential home for people with mental illness run by Benchmark Human Services, a for-profit company headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She described a resident entering her home at 4 a.m. on June 7, 2025, and a September 6, 2025 incident where a resident was found screaming on the roadside. She expressed that taxpayer-funded services (Bedford PD) are being used to assist the facility, which she believes subsidizes the company's profits. She supported residential homes but argued that some individuals may not be suitable for such settings and called for a review of neighborhood impacts. Council Chair Laurie Radke acknowledged the issue, noting the state has preempted local regulation and that the town has worked with Benchmark and state officials. The council indicated they cannot stop the facility but encouraged further state legislative action.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) Complete Services Bundle: Assistant Town Manager Jean Walker and Energy Committee member Chris Bandesian presented a request to adopt the CPCNH cost-sharing agreement, energy portfolio risk management, retail rates, financial reserves policy, and data security/privacy policy. The March 2025 town vote authorized the Bedford Community Electric Aggregation Plan only if CPCNH rates were lower than Eversource's. Since then, rates have been higher, so the program is on hold. Approval of these documents does not commit Bedford to launch; it prepares for a potential launch in March 2026 if rates become favorable. The Energy Commission recommended approval on September 25, 2025. Councilor Sowell moved to adopt and appoint the town manager as authorized officer to launch or delay, with Councillor Strand seconding. After discussion about legal review (not yet done), potential rate manipulation by Eversource, and the need for council notification of launch, the council voted 7-0 to adopt the documents and appoint the town manager as authorized officer, with an understanding that the launch decision would be brought back to the council.
- Update on Facility Survey: Town Manager Rick announced the facility survey is live through October 17, 2025, and urged more responses. He will be at Hannaford's on October 9 to promote it. The survey is available on the town website.
Town Manager Report
- Drought Conditions: 100% of New Hampshire is in moderate drought, including Bedford. The state needs at least 6 inches of rain to improve conditions. Outdoor burning is banned, and well issues may arise soon. Residents are asked to limit outdoor water use and avoid power washing.
- Roadwork: South River Road paving (milling and repaving) is underway; expect delays for several weeks. Side streets will be done after the main corridor.
- Events: Halloween Bash on October 23 (6-7 p.m. at Bedford Village Common, moved indoors if bad weather); Trick-or-treating on October 31 (6-8 p.m.); National Drug Take Back Day on October 25 (10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Safety Complex); Red Ribbon Week (Oct 23-31); Trunk or Treat on October 25 (1-3 p.m. at Constitution location); Friends of the Library fundraiser through Oct 11; Library closed Oct 13 for staff training.
- Personnel: Announcement of passing of former town clerk Wanda Jenkins (served 1999-2008).
Councilor Comments & Discussion
- Councillor Sowell criticized an unnamed councilor for a comment overheard after the previous meeting: "if you cannot afford to live here, you should move." She called it elitist and condescending, noting rising property taxes and costs. She also cited past conflicts with historic district residents. Councillor Radke responded that the conversation was private and that Sowell's response was inappropriate. Chair Radke ended the exchange, stating it was not the time or place.
- Other councilors provided updates on the historic district workshop, highway meeting timing, candy donations for trunk or treat, and a planning board meeting on a proposed 308 South River Road manufacturing/warehouse project.
Key Outcomes
- Vote 7-0: Approved CPCNH cost-sharing agreement, energy portfolio risk management, retail rates, financial reserves, and data security policies. Town Manager appointed as authorized officer to launch or delay procurement, with the understanding that the launch decision will be reported to the council.
- Non-Public Session: Motion to enter non-public under RSA 91A:2a (dismissal, promotion, or compensation of public employees) passed 7-0. The meeting then adjourned to non-public session.
Meeting Transcript
Also I'm gonna do it during budget interval session. All right, oops, let's go. Uh good evening. Welcome to the Town of Bedford Town Council meeting. October 8, 2025. Before we begin, let's do our traditional roll call. Way over to my right in the phone or on the phone is Councillor Strand. Can you hear us? Good evening, Bedford. Okay. We have Councillor Carter. Good evening. Councillor Venus. Good evening. Councillor Vesk. Good evening. Counselor Sowell. Good evening, Bedford. Councillor Griazzo. Hello. And I'm uh Council Chairwoman Laurie Radke. Um next thing we're gonna do is stand and pledge for allegiance. And Jean Walker, would you mind leading us, please? America for which it stands or nation. Underground and the municipal liberty and justice for all. Wonderful. Thank you. Dr. Chair. Okay. Before we begin the meeting, we have an opportunity for public comment. We welcome citizens for up to five minutes. The chair may allow public input during the agenda items. Individuals desiring items on the council must contact the town managers by 4 30 p.m. on Thursday before the meeting. Anyone with a mobile device is asked to put it on mute, and if it goes off during the meeting, we're oh if you don't mind just leaving. And the council will not hear any new items after 10 p.m. And we have the ability to rave our rules. So with that said, is there anybody in the audience that would like to approach the council under public comment? We have a taker. Yes. If you don't mind just stating your name and address for the record, please. Yes, my name's Kathy Schartzer, and I live at 7 Roblin Road, which is directly across the street from a residential home for people with mental illness. The home is run by Benchmark Human Services, which is a for-profit LLC headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Benchmark employs 3,800 people in 19 states. On their website, Ben Benchmark advertises residential homes for, quote, individuals with significant behavioral and medical support needs. Also, that moving residents to their homes from out of state institutions will quote realize significant cost savings for the state governments. I don't know if the state of New Hampshire is saving money, but I believe there is a cost shift to the town of Bedford. I will describe two incidents in which I was directly involved. There were many, there have been many others.
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