OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bedford Town Council Meeting – December 17, 2025: Budget, Union Contracts, Zoning Amendments, and Skate Park Funding

Town Council — Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BodyBedford, New Hampshire
SessionTown Council
DateWednesday, December 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:50:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening.

0:03

Welcome to the Town of Bedford Town Council meeting.

0:08

Wednesday, December 17th, 2025.

0:12

Before we'll begin, we'll do our traditional roll call.

0:16

Over to my right is Councillor Carter.

0:18

Good evening.

0:21

Councillor Beamis.

0:23

Good evening.

0:24

Over to my left, Councilor LaBeck.

0:26

Good evening, Bedford.

0:27

Councillor Sowell.

0:28

Hey, Bedford.

0:30

Councilor Griazzo.

0:32

Hello.

0:33

And we're waiting for Councillor Strand to Lose in at some point.

0:38

So I'll let the record show when he does show up.

0:40

And I'm Council Chair Laurie Radke at this time, if you don't mind standing to the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:45

Councilor Carter, would you mind leading us, please?

0:48

I play the side of the United States of America.

0:53

And to the Republic for which it stands under God and visible of liberty and justice for all.

1:01

Thank you.

1:02

All right.

1:03

We have a very full agenda this evening.

1:06

There we go.

1:06

Let the record show, Michael.

1:07

Uh, Councilor Strand is in attendance.

1:13

Michael.

1:14

All right.

1:15

So before we begin, I will open the floor for anyone who has a public comment.

1:21

If you do, please come to the microphone, say your name, address, and the reason that you're up there.

1:29

Is there anyone in the audience that would like to take advantage of that?

1:33

So we do have someone.

1:34

Very good.

1:36

Mr.

1:37

Comescue.

1:38

Good evening, Edward Commissary for the Drive.

1:40

Hi, Ed.

1:41

I didn't want you to feel lonely and all else.

1:45

One start of the question is there's a very full agenda this evening.

1:50

Is this the only opportunity where people have a chance to speak on the agenda?

1:54

Are you going to be beyond the public hearing?

1:57

That is, I believe, the first item on the agenda.

1:59

Will there be opportunity for people to speak on the budget or else, or is this just an informative meeting?

2:06

This is a this um I do allow people to speak on agenda items.

2:12

So there will be that opportunity.

2:14

I think you have the right to do that.

2:16

So the public hearing for the budget is not until January.

2:21

But tonight, what we're if you're specifically thinking about the budget, it's the council's uh obligation to move that to that next level.

2:28

So but you will have an opportunity to speak if you'd like to on that.

2:31

No, I was speaking when I mentioned public hearings to the uh the rail trails, the trails.

2:37

Oh, that will definitely say rail trails or trails or what that would be open and everything else.

2:41

Uh but no, my general comment is just on the budget process itself.

2:45

I wanted to commend the uh the board and the department heads in the town uh for working diligently on the budget.

2:53

Uh you've got a small increase, not as large as some others, which everyone will really appreciate.

3:01

Uh and I also like the direction that you're going, is that you're looking at the operating budget shall be the operations for the call it the town as a whole, and that anything that would be for a subset of the population should appear to be pushing it towards its own warrant article where it can pass or fail on its own, and I think that's a good direction to go.

3:24

Especially we're now in a day and age where we've got our operating budget or we've got the default.

3:32

Uh we shall see where we go.

3:34

Uh to the other looking at some of the past council notes and notices of a an effort being made to try and inform the public.

3:42

Explain some how the budget process works, giving the information, so at least they're you're trying to get them informed so they know what they're they're voting on.

3:51

Um I think the biggest thing is just a reminder when we get to that point, it's reminding everybody to vote.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████████████27%
Personnel Matters█████████████████████21%
Zoning And Land Use██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Public Safety████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Affordable Housing███3%
Public Engagement██2%
Fiscal Sustainability██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Bedford Town Council Meeting – December 17, 2025

The Bedford Town Council met on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM (meeting extended past 10:00 PM) to address a full agenda including public comment, a public hearing on a trails grant, presentation of nine zoning amendments for the 2026 ballot, approval of collective bargaining agreements for fire and police unions, personnel policy updates, a fire department equipment contract, and extensive budget decisions including capital reserve reductions and warrant articles. Key votes included approval of union contracts with significant wage increases (6-1 each), rejection of a skateboard park warrant article (4-3), and direction to move the operating budget and associated articles to a public hearing on January 14, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Edward Commissary (unclear address) commended the board and department heads for a diligent budget process with a small increase, and supported the direction to fund town-wide operations from the operating budget while pushing subset services to separate warrant articles. He urged continued public education about the budget process.
  • Dave Gilbert (former councilor) and Ian Moulton Bray (3 Cambridge Road) spoke in favor of funding the skateboard park reconstruction, arguing it is a town facility requiring maintenance and that the project has raised $88,000 in private funds. Ben Archibald (17 Ministerial Circle) noted industry standards for concrete skate parks. Claire Day (25 Ministerial Road) provided updates on the Stephen Buzzwell Community Center, which is near completion and seeking operating funds.

Public Hearing

  • Acceptance of NH Trails Bureau Grant: Conservation Planner Kathleen Portz presented a request to accept a $24,800 recreational trails grant (total project ~$31,100, remainder from Conservation Commission) for a viewing platform at Pulpit Rock Conservation Area. The public hearing was opened and closed with no public comments. Councilors asked about wetland permits and trail rerouting. Motion to accept the grant and authorize the town manager to execute agreements passed unanimously (7–0).

Discussion Items

  • Certification of Petitioned Zoning Amendment: Planning Director Becky Hebert presented a citizens’ petition (51 signatures) to amend the historic district boundary. Council voted 7–0 to forward the petition to the Planning Board and Historic District Commission.
  • Zoning Amendments Overview (2026 Ballot): Hebert reviewed eight proposed amendments plus the citizens’ petition. Amendments 1–3 are required by state law: (1) redefining boarding/rooming houses to remove family references; (2) updating accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to remove conditional use permits; (3) allowing multifamily housing in commercial zones with local standards (height, mixed-use, workforce housing). Amendment 4 reduces setbacks in the General Residential zone (front 35’→25’, side/rear 25’→15’). Amendments 5 and 6 clarify retaining wall measurement and remove nursing homes/assisted living as permitted uses in commercial zones. Amendments 7 and 8 adjust cottage court housing (max 1,500 sq. ft. finished) and housekeeping changes to the historic district ordinance. The citizens’ petition (amendment 9) removes two properties from the historic district. Public hearings are scheduled for January 5 and 12, 2026; ballot vote on March 10, 2026.
  • Firefighters Union Contract (2026–2028): HR Director Pam Hogan and Chief Frank Freitzell presented a three-year agreement ratified by the union. Wage scale increases: 7% in year 1, 4% in years 2 and 3. Total cost over three years ~$2,128,902. The contract modifies promotion, clothing allowance, bereavement leave, vacation accrual, and other provisions. Management aims to reach 75th percentile of comparable communities; current wages are 20th–50th percentile. Council discussed concerns about affordability (Councilor Beemish and Sowell opposed), but six councilors voted to approve, moving financial terms to a warrant article for the March 2026 ballot. Motion passed 6–1 (Sowell dissenting).
  • Police Union Contract (2026–2028): Similar presentation by Hogan and Chief DeWitty. Three-year agreement ratified by union. Wage scale increases: 5.3% in year 1, 3% in years 2 and 3. Total cost ~$1,734,446. Adds fifth steps to five positions; management goal is 75th percentile. Discussion focused on sustainability and taxpayer burden. Motion passed 6–1 (Sowell dissenting); financial terms go to ballot.
  • Personnel Policy Leave Section: Revision to Section 4A-1 for non-union employees, aligning vacation, sick leave, bereavement, and other leave with new union contracts. Changes include increasing starting vacation to three weeks, new accrual maximums, and updates for family/medical leave laws. Motion passed 6–1 (Beemish dissenting).
  • Fire Department Medical Equipment Contract: Captain Mike Tierney recommended approval of a $437,084.45 contract with Stryker EMS for cardiac monitors, AEDs, and compression devices, funded partly by an $80,000 down payment from salary savings and five-year zero-interest payments from CIP. Trade-in provided. Motion passed 7–0.
  • Budget Discussion and Decisions: Town Manager Rick presented the 2026 operating budget with proposed tax rate of $3.62 ($0.25 lower than 2025). Several votes on budget positions:
    • Part-time police records clerk ($33,587): motion to remove from budget passed 7–0.
    • Reference librarian part-time to full-time ($58,749): motion to retain failed 3–4 (roll call: Carter nay, Strand yes, Beemis yes, LeBeck nay, Sowell nay, Griazzo yes, Radke nay). Not approved.
    • Health officer hours increase (4 hours/week, $8,229): motion to retain passed 7–0.
    • IT systems technician to systems administrator reclassification ($10,765): motion to retain passed 7–0.
    • Town clerk wage range set at $57,914–$83,459 (passed 5–2); new clerk starting wage set at $57,914 (passed 6–1).
  • Capital Reserve Reductions: Manager recommended reductions totaling $325,900 (including $48,400 from fire and $277,500 from DPW dump truck program). Approved 7–0. Total capital reserve request now ~$2.95 million (46 cents per $1,000).
  • Warrant Articles:
    • Skateboard park reconstruction ($712,000+): motion to not include on ballot passed 4–3 (Carter, Griazzo, Radke dissenting). Group may pursue citizens’ petition.
    • Stephen Buzzwell Community Center operating funds ($20,000/year for 2 years): motion to fund from NH Invest funds ($63,809 available) passed 7–0.
    • Legacy Park/Pickleball lighting ($120,000): motion not to add to budget passed; direction given to explore using recreation impact fees.
    • Toregg Field House ($44,000): motion not to add to budget passed 7–0.
    • Additional road money ($500,000): motion to include on ballot failed 2–5.
    • BCTV capital reserve ($30,000 from enterprise fund): motion to move to public hearing passed 7–0.
  • Veterans Tax Credit Ordinance: First reading of ordinance increasing disabled veteran credit from $2,000 to $2,500 to comply with state law. Public hearing scheduled for January 14, 2026. Motion passed 7–0.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Firefighters union contract (6–1), Police union contract (6–1).
  • Approved: Personnel policy leave section (6–1).
  • Approved: Fire department equipment contract ($437,084.45, 7–0).
  • Approved: Budget position changes: health officer hours increase (7–0), IT reclassification (7–0). Police records clerk removed (7–0); reference librarian full-time not approved (3–4).
  • Approved: Town clerk wage range ($57,914–$83,459) (5–2) and new clerk starting wage ($57,914) (6–1).
  • Approved: Capital reserve reductions ($325,900) (7–0).
  • Approved: Stephen Buzzwell Community Center funding ($40,000 from NH Invest) (7–0).
  • Approved: BCTV capital reserve to public hearing (7–0).
  • Approved: Veterans tax credit ordinance public hearing (7–0).
  • Not approved: Skateboard park warrant article (4–3 against inclusion).
  • Not approved: Toregg Field House funding (7–0 against inclusion).
  • Not approved: Additional road money ($500,000) (2–5).
  • Tabled: Formation of facilities committee and keynote/games of chance ballot questions to January meeting.
  • Next steps: The 2026 operating budget and warrant articles (including union financial terms) will be discussed at a public hearing on January 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM. Deliberative session February 2, 2026; town vote March 10, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the Town of Bedford Town Council meeting. Wednesday, December 17th, 2025. Before we'll begin, we'll do our traditional roll call. Over to my right is Councillor Carter. Good evening. Councillor Beamis. Good evening. Over to my left, Councilor LaBeck. Good evening, Bedford. Councillor Sowell. Hey, Bedford. Councilor Griazzo. Hello. And we're waiting for Councillor Strand to Lose in at some point. So I'll let the record show when he does show up. And I'm Council Chair Laurie Radke at this time, if you don't mind standing to the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilor Carter, would you mind leading us, please? I play the side of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands under God and visible of liberty and justice for all. Thank you. All right. We have a very full agenda this evening. There we go. Let the record show, Michael. Uh, Councilor Strand is in attendance. Michael. All right. So before we begin, I will open the floor for anyone who has a public comment. If you do, please come to the microphone, say your name, address, and the reason that you're up there. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to take advantage of that? So we do have someone. Very good. Mr. Comescue. Good evening, Edward Commissary for the Drive. Hi, Ed. I didn't want you to feel lonely and all else. One start of the question is there's a very full agenda this evening. Is this the only opportunity where people have a chance to speak on the agenda? Are you going to be beyond the public hearing? That is, I believe, the first item on the agenda. Will there be opportunity for people to speak on the budget or else, or is this just an informative meeting? This is a this um I do allow people to speak on agenda items. So there will be that opportunity. I think you have the right to do that. So the public hearing for the budget is not until January. But tonight, what we're if you're specifically thinking about the budget, it's the council's uh obligation to move that to that next level. So but you will have an opportunity to speak if you'd like to on that. No, I was speaking when I mentioned public hearings to the uh the rail trails, the trails.

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