Bedford Town Council Meeting – May 27, 2026
Bedford Town Council Meeting – May 27, 2026
The Bedford Town Council met on May 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included roll call, multiple appointments, recognition of a financial reporting award, and a lengthy discussion of council priorities for the upcoming retreat. No public comments were made.
Appointments & Awards
- GFOA Certificate of Achievement: Town Manager Rick Sawyer announced the town received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 21st consecutive year. He congratulated Finance Director Matt Manino and his team.
- Co-Emergency Management Director: The council unanimously (6‑0) appointed Fire Chief Frank Freitzell as co-emergency management director for the town, a role he already performs. Motion by Councilor Sol, seconded by Councilor Sullivan.
- Planning Board Appointments: The council unanimously (6‑0) appointed Chris Swiniarski as a regular member (term to 2029) and Neri Bordas as an alternate member (term to 2027). Motion by Councilor Sullivan, seconded by Councilor Bader.
- Facilities Committee Appointments: After discussion, the council voted 5‑1 to increase the number of community representatives from three to four and appointed Chris Petsky, Ray Pazaka, Dave Gilbert, and Tom Leanza. Some councilors expressed concern that two applicants characterized the role as a “sales job,” but others saw it as communicating value. Motion by Councilor LeBec, seconded by Councilor Bader; one nay (Councilor Sol).
Discussion Items (Retreat Priorities)
Each councilor presented their priority topics for the upcoming retreat. Key themes included:
- Commercial Property Assessments: Councilor Bader led a discussion on the methodology for assessing commercial vs. residential property, fairness of the tax base distribution, and the need to compare practices in other towns. Several councilors echoed this concern, noting a perception that commercial properties do not carry their share of the tax burden.
- Boards & Charter Issues: Councilor Sol raised concerns about boards attempting to override voter decisions (citing a recent historic district petition), and suggested a discussion on the role of council members and transparency.
- Facilities & Spending: Multiple councilors (Sol, Sullivan, Fahy, Strand, Griazzo) emphasized ongoing facilities planning, the need for a facilities survey in September, and the importance of coordinating with the newly formed facilities committee.
- PFAS Contamination: Councilor Sullivan reported rising PFAS levels in wells south of Route 101, even after Saint‑Gobain’s departure. Town Manager Sawyer noted that many Bedford properties will eventually fail PFAS tests and that state‑funded testing and filter rebates are available, though the fund is depleting. The council agreed to monitor the issue and advocate legislatively.
- Budget Timing: Councilor Strand and others stressed starting the budget process earlier this year to allow thorough public and departmental input.
- Ambulance Ordinance: Chairman Griazzo reiterated his priority to adopt an ordinance reducing non‑emergency ambulance calls, which could affect fire station planning.
- Department Head Meetings: Councilor Sol questioned why councilors are not permitted to attend the town manager’s internal staff meetings. Town Manager Sawyer explained they are internal meetings with his staff, but new councilors are regularly invited for introductions. The charter requires councilors to seek permission before meeting with department heads individually.
- Other Topics: DPW contract negotiations, parks and recreation facilities study, town hall kitchen upgrades, and councilor onboarding checklists were also mentioned.
Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Sawyer announced:
- DPW received a national award for asset management.
- Reminders: Color Blast (May 31), party affiliation deadline (June 2), primary election filing period (June 3–12), fire department blood drive (June 3), pool/splash pad opening (June 14), library summer reading program, summer concert series, tax bills mailed (due July 1), farmers market, summer camps, drought update, historic district commission hearing (June 2), graduation (June 6), Route 114 corridor study input session (June 16), and household hazardous waste day (Aug 1).
Councilor Comments
- Councilor Bader noted an upcoming energy committee meeting.
- Councilor Sol thanked everyone for the Memorial Day parade and welcomed summer.
- Councilor LeBec reported on a highway safety meeting and a tour of the highway garage.
- Councilor Strand reminded the council that the town’s portion of the tax rate is only about 22% and that Bedford remains one of the lowest‑taxed communities in the state.
- Councilor Fahy updated on the conservation committee’s discussion of a Wallace Road wetland development.
- Councilor Sullivan thanked the planning board for a volunteer recognition plaque and wished Councilor Strand a happy birthday.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments: Fire Chief Freitzell as co‑emergency management director (6‑0); Swiniarski and Bordas to planning board (6‑0); Petsky, Pazaka, Gilbert, and Leanza to facilities committee (5‑1).
- Minutes from the April 22, 2026 public session were approved unanimously.
- The council will compile the priority lists for the retreat and continue discussions at future meetings.
- No formal action was taken on the retreat items; the council agreed to send a consolidated list to the town manager.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good evening and welcome to the town of Bedford Town Council meeting for May 27, 2026. We'll start with our roll call, but first we'll introduce the administrative assistant for the town of Bedford, Don Buford. And Town Manager Rick Sawyer. Good evening. And we'll continue on with Councillor John Bader. Good evening. Councillor Becky Sowell. Hey Bedford. Councillor Matt Sullivan. Good evening. Counselor Laura Fahy. Good evening. Michael Strand, Counselor will be joining us soon. And uh Councillor. Good evening, Gedford. And I am Phil Griazzo. Uh, would you lead us in the pleasure allegiance? To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thanks. Okay. Uh any public comments. I don't see anybody in the audience. Under new business, the announcement of the GFOA award. Mr. Sawyer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh this is an annu annual event for us, but we do always like to uh announce it because there is only a handful of New Hampshire New Hampshire communities that receive this award. But um as the literature states, the certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting and its attainment uh represents a significant accomplishment by the town and its finance team. So this is the 21st consecutive year that we're receiving uh this certificate. And I just want to say congratulations to our finance director, Matt Manino and his team for all the work that goes into preparing our financial reports. Very good. Thank you very uh very much for that and all the hard work that goes into making sure that we achieve those goals. Next would be the appointment of co-emergency management director. Um we have to appoint a co-emergency management director. The state would like us to publicly appoint someone rather than just rely on our first responders, the police chief and the fire chief. So they want to have some specific name. So uh if anybody would like to make that motion. He's co-manager who is the other one. So Chief DeWitty has already been um put in that position by the council. And I thought the staff report was enough when we appointed Chief Freitzell as as fire chief. The staff report said that it he also serves as co-emergency management director, but the motion did not include that as a specific appointment. So you're just confirming the appointment of the work that Chief Freitzell is already doing. All right. I move that the town council appoint Bedford Fire Chief Frank Fritzel as co-emergency management director for the town of Bedford in perpetuity unless otherwise acted upon in a subsequent action by the Bedford Town Council. Okay, motion by Councilor Sol. Is there a second? Second, second by Councillor Sullivan. All in favor.
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