Bedford Town Council Meeting Summary - October 28, 2026

The Bedford Town Council met on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. There was no public comment. The council recognized first responders, received the annual library update, heard the town manager's FY2027 budget presentation, made routine approvals, and then voted unanimously to enter non-public session at 8:30 p.m.

Proclamation

• The council presented a proclamation designating October 28, 2026, as National First Responders Day in Bedford. It recognized public works professionals, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, paramedics, and other emergency personnel.

Library Annual Update

• Library Director Miriam Johnson and Board of Trustees Chair Lee Joyce presented the library's annual update.
• Circulation remains led by books; eAudio is the largest growth area at almost 10%. The library shares a consortium catalog of about 450,000 titles, processed about 36,000 holds and requests year to date, and handled about 1,600 interlibrary loan requests.
• Adult and teen programming: 149 programs with almost 2,500 attendees, up 37% over last year and 210% over 2019.
• Children's programming: 269 programs with 7,600 attendees, up about 4%. Summer reading had over 1,000 participants; winter reading had 135.
• Monthly usage includes more than 10,000 visitors and about 1,500 Wi-Fi/computer users. Notary appointments grew from 16 per month in 2021 to 55 per month, and study room and meeting room use is up 31% over last year.
• Other highlights included museum passes supported by about $7,500 per year from community organizations, a seed library with about 400 checkouts, a new foundation-funded 3D printer, new library-of-things items, a refreshed front garden, new children's seating, and the building's 30th birthday. Restroom renovation remains a future goal.

FY2027 Budget Submission and Discussion

• Town Manager Rick Sawyer presented the proposed FY2027 budget and recommended warrant articles.
• The default-budget general fund operating appropriation is 1.8% over the FY2026 adopted budget, about $683,000. The manager's proposed general fund operating budget is 4.85% over adopted, about $1.8 million, and about 3% above the default budget.
• Key budget drivers included road maintenance, significantly higher vehicle and equipment repair costs, diesel fuel proposed at 40% over 2025 actuals, gasoline at 25%, electricity at 10%, $430,000 for fire hydrants, $1,050,000 for trash shipping, nearly $600,000 in winter maintenance, a 33% workers' compensation increase of $90,000, and a health-insurance impact of more than $212,000 despite only a 0.9% premium increase.
• The roads department requested $2.9 million in local road work; the manager proposed $2.4 million and recommended a $500,000 warrant article so voters could decide on the additional amount.
• Staffing in the proposed budget includes 1.5 positions: a full-time working foreman in the sewer department, paid from sewer fees, and a part-time records clerk. The manager discussed but did not include requests for four firefighters, a traffic-focused police officer, a victim advocate, recreation assistance, and police vehicles.
• Capital reserve deposits were proposed at nearly $4.7 million, equal to about 55 cents on the tax rate or $440 annually on an $800,000 home. The manager recommended separating sewer capital projects into their own vote.
• The proposed budget uses $1 million of fund balance, which would lower the fund balance to about 11.9%, below the council's stated comfort level but within the 8%–17% policy range.
• The new total town tax rate is $14.73, with a $3.38 municipal portion. The manager's proposed operating budget would reduce the municipal rate by 17 cents to $3.21; the default budget would reduce it by 32 cents to $3.06. If the proposed capital reserves, $500,000 road article, and additional police officer article were all approved, the municipal rate would be $3.84, a 46-cent increase, or about $368 per year on an $800,000 home.
• Recommended warrant articles included the general fund operating budget; for the first time, a separate sewer enterprise fund vote; sewer capital projects; creation of a solar capital reserve for federal tax credits; additional road maintenance; an additional traffic-enforcement police officer; a possible Old Bedford Road sidewalk article; Nashville Road bridge authorization; and a potential DPW collective bargaining agreement article.
• The manager also reported the solar field is producing well, with estimated annual net metering revenue of $125,000, renewable energy credits of $39,000, and an anticipated federal tax rebate of about $900,000.

Town Manager's Report

• Sawyer reported the new total tax rate of $14.73: municipal $3.38, school $10.41, and county $0.94. Tax bills were sent with payment due December 1. The total rate is down $1.76 from the 2025 rate of $16.49, and the municipal rate is down 49 cents.
• He reminded residents about Red Ribbon Week, Bedford trick-or-treating on October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m., and the state general election on Tuesday, November 3, including polling-place traffic patterns at the high school.
• Other reminders included the winter overnight parking ban starting November 1, upcoming library events, the citizen petition zoning amendment filing period from November 9 to December 9, Veterans Day closures, a PFAS public information meeting on November 16, and the Bedford Boomers model train show on November 21–22.

Council Comments

• Councillor Sullivan congratulated the Bedford Bulldogs Youth Cheer D8 squad on second place at the state championship and their upcoming regional competition.
• Councillor Fehee reported that the Conservation Commission met to plan the coming year.
• Councillor Bader reported that the Energy Commission discussed energy production and usage, and that all seven voting machines were successfully tested for the November election.
• Councillor Sowell had no updates and encouraged residents to vote on Tuesday, November 3.
• Councillor LeBec reported on a Highway Safety Committee discussion about speeding, and said the Facilities Committee will meet November 12 and December 10, with a subcommittee reviewing RFQs due November 5.

Key Outcomes

• The council appointed Kate Kelly as a regular member of the Conservation Commission, with a term expiring May 1, 2028, on a motion by Councillor Sowell, seconded by Councillor Fehee. The motion passed by voice vote, and the alternate vacancy will be advertised.
• The council approved the proposed 2027 town council meeting dates on a motion by Councillor LeBec, seconded by Councillor Fehee.
• The council approved the minutes of the October 14, 2026 public session on a motion by Councillor LeBec, seconded by Councillor Fehee, with one abstention.
• The council voted unanimously to enter non-public session at 8:30 p.m. under RSA 91-A:3 II(d) to discuss the acquisition, sale, or lease of real or personal property.
• No final budget vote was taken. The schedule includes budget workshops on November 4 and November 7, council review on November 18, final council action on December 9, a public hearing on January 13, 2027, deliberative session on February 1 with a February 3 snow date, and town election day on March 9, 2027.