TOWN OF BEDFORD
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
March 8, 2017
BEDFORD MEETING ROOM
10 MEETINGHOUSE ROAD
1. ROLL CALL: A meeting of the Bedford Town Council was held on Wednesday,
March 8, 2017 at the Bedford Meeting Room, 10 Meetinghouse Road. Present were
Chairwoman Kelleigh Murphy, Jim Aguiar (Vice Chair) and Councilors John Schneller,
Bill Duschatko, Chris Bandazian, Melissa Stevens, and David Gilbert. Also present was
Town Manager Rick Sawyer.
Chairwoman Murphy opened the meeting at 7:05 PM.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilor
Stevens.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Peter Galamaga, 9 Second Street, thanked everyone for their response after the last
Council meeting. Within a few days he had Town Councilors calling, emailing, visiting,
and driving around his neighborhood. He met with Mr. Foote and attended a meeting
where there were Town Councilors present. Mr. Sawyer also took a lot of time to email
him back and forth.
4. NEW BUSINESS
Chairwoman Murphy went out of order and moved the sign waiver for the high school
up as the first agenda item.
a. Special Event Sign Waiver – Bedford High School
MOTION by Councilor Gilbert to take the Bedford high school waiver
request off the table. Seconded by Councilor Stevens. Vote taken –
Motion Passed – 7-0.
Zana Blaney and Jessica Gilcreast came forward to present their revised plan.
Ms. Gilcreast stated that the revised plan included ten of the oversized bulldogs, and
unlimited tabletop size. The ten bulldogs would be up for three years. They are asking
for the $100 fee to be waived. The district lawyer will help them draw up the official
liability waiver. They will sell them now through the next year.
Chairwoman Murphy clarified that the bulldogs would be thematically designed, but will
not have logos or the business name on them. Ms. Gilcreast mentioned that one of the
compromises they came back with was yes to business logos, but they would like to shy
away from words or phrases and try to keep it a piece of artwork
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 2
Councilor Aguiar wanted to know the bulldogs were signs or they art and Ms. Gilcreast
responded that they are art. Councilor Aguiar wanted to know who would be policing
what was on the bulldog. Ms. Gilcreast stated that the process would be that a business
would purchase a bulldog. They can work with an artist they already have or be
matched with an artist from the community or the high school. The artist will have to
discuss with the business owner what they would like to see on the bulldog. The artist
would then draw up 1-3 renditions of what the bulldog would look like, then it would go
through an approval process of the committee (Decade Dogs) and the business would
approve it and then the dog would be completed.
Chairwoman Murphy pointed out that the principal of the high school was in the
audience who is in support of the proposal. She also pointed out that the music festival
that they are selling the bulldogs to fund costs $10k and even if they sell 10 bulldogs at
a profit margin of $530 a piece it only gets them to $5,300. They would still have to sell
approximately 12 of the tabletop version or put it hand in hand with other fundraisers.
Councilor Aguiar wanted to know what the process was for deciding where the bulldogs
are placed. Ms. Blaney stated that it would be up to the business owner. Ms. Gilcreast
added that it would have to adhere to the Town rules for putting up a sign as well.
Rebecca Hebert, Planning Director, stated that the sign should be located at least 10
feet from the property line and also cannot block the sight distance at intersections.
Councilor Aguiar wanted to clarify that even though it is art and they are creating a
waiver, they still have to follow some sign rules. Ms. Hebert clarified that it is art, but for
zoning purposes they are considered signs. Chairwoman Murphy presumed that the
waiver language that is given to the business would include any language about
setback and sight distance and the response was yes. Ms. Hebert stated that they
could work with the committee to develop some criteria for the siting of the bulldogs.
Councilor Duschatko wanted to know who the artists were and who is going to be
responsible for the design. Ms. Gilcreast stated that the artist would come up with their
creative idea. There isn’t a specific list of artists, but they have an art department at the
high school that they are going to work with and hopefully recruit talented students to
participate. In addition, they’ve also been in contact with the owner of the Canvas
Roadshow and she has five or six artists that work with her and has agreed to help
them out and partner with them where needed. Ms. Blaney stated that the artist is
going to present three different options to the business owner and the committee and
then they will determine what the best fit is. Councilor Duschatko wanted to know if the
artists would be compensated. Ms. Gilcreast stated that they are asking artists to
donate their time and they will have their name on the plaque. Councilor Duschatko
wanted to know if they don’t sell all the bulldogs in the next two months, how they were
going to fund the festival. Ms. Blaney stated that they might have to have other
fundraisers as well. Councilor Duschatko thought that there was a lot of money going to
the supplier of the big bulldogs and very little money coming back to the sponsor of the
event and the small ones are very profitable. Ms. Blaney agreed that the profit margin
was not great with the larger ones, but they felt it was an opportunity to make it really
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 3
visible and celebrate in a big way. Ms. Gilcreast thought it was a community building
project. It’s more than just raising funds for the music festival.
Councilor Aguiar wanted to know if there was a process in place where the business
could change the design after a period of time. Ms. Blaney stated that they didn’t have
anything in writing. The clear coat on top is an expense so that is an investment too.
They weren’t anticipating changing the design. It is what it is for the three years.
Councilor Duschatko thought three years was a long time and wanted to know the
reason that was selected. Ms. Blaney stated that they wouldn’t mind it being longer, but
they were trying to compromise.
Councilor Aguiar wanted to know what the monitoring process was for the signs to
make sure they are installed properly and if they are considered signs and zoned
appropriately, do they monitor those. Ms. Hebert stated that they do monitor the
temporary signs. Councilor Aguiar wanted to know what happens to the bulldogs after
the three years. Ms. Gilcreast stated that as it is written now, they would like to offer the
business the opportunity to donate the bulldog back to the school district and be a
sculpture on campus. The business owner owns the bulldog, so at the end of three
years it’s up to them what they do with it. Councilor Aguiar wanted to confirm that that
the end of the three years, the Town would force the business owner to remove the
bulldog just like any other sign and the response was yes. Ms. Hebert stated that the
business owner or the school could petition to extend the permit.
MOTION by Councilor Bandazian that the Bedford Town Council
waive Article 216.9 Temporary Event Sign and Banner provision to
allow the Bulldogs of Bedford proposal presented this evening and
to waive the $100 application fee.
Seconded by Councilor
Duschatko.
Mr. Sawyer clarified that they wanted to waive all provisions as necessary, not just
216.9. Councilor Bandazian amended his motion:
MOTION by Councilor Bandazian that the Bedford Town Council
waive all applicable provisions of Article 216 Temporary Event Sign
and Banner provision to allow the Bulldogs of Bedford proposal
presented this evening and to waive the $100 application fee.
Amendment accepted by Councilor Duschatko.
Vote taken – Motion Passed – 4-3 (Bandazian-aye, Murphy-aye,
Aguiar-nay, Stevens-aye, Duschatko-nay, Gilbert-aye, Schneller-nay).
The Town Council took a two-minute recess.
b. Meeting with Bedford School Board
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 4
Chairwoman Murphy introduced Chip McGee, Superintendent of Schools, and School
Board members Phil Schappler, Bill Foote, Cindy Chagnon-Vice Chair, and Bill KasslerChair. School Board member Jen DeAngelis was absent due to illness.
SAU Statistics – number of students, breakdown, cost per student, etc.
Mr. McGee stated that the Bedford School District was the largest today that it has ever
been and is growing. They have just over $4.5k students. The 3-year average for the
last three years was 89 new students. The high school has a little over 1,500 students
and doesn’t warrant any plans for expansion of facilities. The breakdown of the cost per
student for Elementary – average cost is $12,645. The state average was $15,034.
That cost holds in Middle School and High School. Councilor Duschatko wanted to
know if 89 was a net number and Mr. McGee responded yes. He explained the major
factors for the low cost per capita: larger class size, young staff, it is a great place to
work so they have a very favorable set of contracts.
Update on new housing proposed in Town
Mr. Sawyer explained that in 2016 they had 18 new single family homes. In 2017 they
will probably have about the same amount. Chairwoman Murphy wanted to know what
percentage of the Town turns over from a real estate perspective on an annual basis.
Mr. Sawyer didn’t have a great number on that, but could get it, but they do have a fairly
transient population. Chairwoman Murphy stated that the trend seems to be that people
move to Bedford for the educational system and then when the kids graduate from high
school, they put their house up for sale and sell it to a younger family that wants to bring
their kids into the educational system. Ms. McGee stated that over the last three years,
the three-year average had increased. Mr. Schappler pointed out that it’s the trend that
is in Bedford, but not a trend that is in NH or necessarily the southern tier of NH that
they see districts growing. Mr. Sawyer talked about the new multi-family housing
including the 4th building behind the Copper Door with 36 units. In 2017, the apartments
on Meetinghouse with 43 units, which is workforce housing. Also, there are 73 units
approved behind Whole Foods although they have started conceptual discussions
changing that project to 141 units. Mr. Foote wanted to know if the multifamily units pay
impact fees. Mr. Sawyer responded that they do at a reduced rate. They still pay
recreation fee, but if they are 62 and older they don’t have to pay the school impact fee.
Councilor Stevens wanted to know if there was a consistent growth among all three
elementary schools or has one had more than another. Mr. McGee stated that all three
schools during the leaner years saw a decline. He tracks it very closely and now the
districts for each elementary school seem to be sized about right. His inclination is to
make it fit rather than broach any questions of redistricting. At this point he sees no
need to entertain that discussion. Chairwoman Murphy wanted to know if they had
long-term concerns that if the Pulpit Road development is fully built out that that would
skew the population numbers at Riddle Brook. Mr. McGee thought long-term that it
could be.
Update on the Route 101 widening project
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 5
Mr. Sawyer explained that the project is supposed to be bid by the State in April. The
bid award is scheduled to be done in June and they anticipate some construction
happening quickly thereafter. The first thing that would be done would be a double right
yield lane at 114 under signal control and he expects that would be done in 2017. It’s a
2½ year project and will continue for 2018 and 2019. They are going to have
informational signs indicating anticipated travel times regionally placed all the way out to
Milford on 101 and to 93 and out to 101 east. The work on the intersections would be
done in the summer in 2018. Ms. Chagnon wanted to know if the moving the utility
poles taking place was part of that. Mr. Sawyer explained that they were trying to get
the utility work done as early as possible. Ms. Chagnon wanted to know if it was the
State’s responsibility to remediate the wetlands. Ms. Sawyer stated that it would be the
State and has all been completed as part of their permit. Ms. Chagnon wanted to know
about the school busses during construction. Mr. Sawyer stated that he, the
superintendent and Police Chief have sat in preliminary meetings with them and had
those conversations about communication being key. They have set some deadlines
that have been written into the contract where the contractor has to notify the Police
Chief about when the changes are going to happen and when they are going to move
traffic from one side or another, so they can get out Nixle reports and Facebook reports.
They believe the communication plan is key to the success of the project for the
citizens. Mr. Foote wanted to know about gas lines. Mr. Sawyer stated that there hadn’t
been any movement from the gas company to extend lines down 101. Foote wanted to
know about water and sewer. Mr. Sawyer stated that the Town has chosen not to
extend water and sewer in the 101 corridor at this time. Councilor Bandazian explained
that they had looked at it and there were very few properties that would benefit from it to
the degree that it’s very cost prohibitive. Mr. Foote thought part of the Master Plan
required trunk line scale sewers and water down the center of Town. Mr. Sawyer
mentioned that they are paying to put in sleeves across 101. They’ve done the full
design to allow the sewer lines to cross 101, so the sleeves are going in at the Town’s
expense. The water lines are private and Pennichuck has chosen not to extend water.
Update on adequacy funding
Mr. McGee explained that adequacy funding is the State of NH’s response to the
constitutional requirement to provide an adequate education as funded by the State. It’s
funded through a statewide equalized property tax and collected at the local level. The
adequacy funding is on a per pupil basis, which is $3,561 per student for Bedford. The
reconsideration of the formula that the State uses to fund schools, included a cap for
districts that are growing. Bedford along with Windham and Dover and other towns who
saw growth were affected by the cap, which meant that the district was funded below
the $3,561 per student. The legislative delegation has worked to have that phased out.
Bedford has been underfunded a little over $4 million per year. Next year they were
able to include full adequacy funding. He explained a lawsuit by Dover for not fulfilling
its constitutional obligation. It was found in favor of Dover and they received their
funding for 2017 and 2016. They anticipating that finding would be carried over to all
other affected districts, but the State of NH legislature has decided that the Dover issue
does not apply to other districts. The board has directed him and their attorney to argue
that and also brought forward their own case. That case is pending and it’s looking for
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 6
the 2016 shortfall of about $4 million. 2017 has been made whole at the 160% and in
2018 will be made completely whole. There is a bill that came out of the House
Committee on Education was to provide that funding to all affected districts for 2016. It
was recommended out of Education as ought to pass, but it needs to go to Finance next
and then to the whole House and then the Senate. There are a lot of steps left, but that
is a very favorable one and he thanked the Bedford Legislative delegation for being a
part of that.
Discussion of substance abuse and our approaches to help reduce it
Mr. McGee stated that the first is that through a really thoughtful collaboration and
productive work with the Police Department, this last spring the Board approved having
drug sniffing dogs as an option for checking to see whether there were drugs at Bedford
High School. He found it to be something where they could control the parameters for
safety reasons; that they were very comfortable with and that would really be a helpful
deterrent and send the right message about how seriously they are taking the issue.
The Bedford PD was able to get dogs to come in from other jurisdictions at no cost to
the Town or the schools. They ran the surprise drill for students this past fall. They
have a second licensed drug and alcohol counselor available. They revised their health
curriculum. It starts in 5th grade all the way up to the high school. He thought BeBold
had to be part of the discussion and their routine community events have been powerful
in keeping that message in front of people’s minds. Mr. Kassler mentioned the
developmental assets approach that they take across all of their activities and how in
theory and practice that relates to it. Mr. McGee stated that developmental assets is a
fancy term for the attributes that kids have that are going to help them make healthy
decisions. The more of those positive assets they have the more likely they are to
make good decisions. They track those developmental assets. They ask kids on an
anonymous volunteer annual survey to give them information. Mr. Kassler talked about
funding co-cirrcular and extra-curricular activities, which are targeted to kids who don’t
necessarily have all of the developmental assets. Not only does it help reduce risks for
substance abuse, but it has collateral benefit across a wide range of risky behaviors.
Chief Bryfonski mentioned a report he prepared that was was published on the Police
Department and Town’s website regarding the research they conducted in connection
with school resource officers. The nature of the evidence that was presented showed
that the presence of school resource officers demonstrated that it does impact the ability
of students to learn and the ability of staff to teach. It provides level of safety and
security that must be present. They’ve had a very collaborative relationship with the
school. He mentioned the event at the SNHU arena that DEA presented that put forth
the foundational message of prevention and the need to address substance misuse
early on. They believe and studies show that SRO’s have a major part to play in
providing that educational and collaborative piece for the students. They are the outlier
in the region in terms of the number of students for this size community having only one
where all of the surrounding communities have at least two and in some cases three.
They applied for the grant that was approve in 2015, which allows them to pay for a
portion of an SRO salary up to three years with a 4th year commitment. It would provide
$125k to offset the cost that would be borne by the taxpayers.
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 7
Councilor Gilbert wanted to know if they fund extracurricular activities. Mr. Kassler
explained that they have co-curricular activities that include academic and sports.
Those are funded with a mix of user fee, fundraising, parent fees and taxpayer dollars.
Councilor Gilbert wanted to see the list, because clubs come to the Men’s Club and ask
for things and wants to understand the process.
Legislative updates
Mr. Sawyer mentioned the meeting with the newly elected delegation and there were 12
items that they discussed. He talked about HB413, which is a bill that would start to
return the State’s responsibility for part of the retirement system, where they would pay
15% of the State’s obligation, which is 35% for teachers, fire and police. This would
return $0.24/$0.25 to the taxpayers if the bill were to be passed. It’s a couple hundred
thousand on the Town side and almost $700k on the school side. He’s in complete
support of this and sent testimony to the delegation and it has done incredibly well
through the House and has been referred to Finance. It needs to be worked into the
budget and get through the Senate.
NH Retirement System
Mr. McGee mentioned that the rate increase this year was a statutory increase in their
budget of over half a million dollars. It’s an expensive proposition. The Bedford School
Board put forward to the NH School Board’s Association and proposed a position that
they declined to take. It’s something they pay attention to as it’s a significant expense
that they face every year. Mr. Sawyer echoed that from the Town side. The Town side
was about $200k in the proposed budget. It was an 11% increase for Police. There are
a number of bills. There is a group in Bedford that are constantly looking at the
retirement system trying to make improvements.
Shared benefits opportunities
Mr. Sawyer mentioned that he and Mr. McGee are constantly looking at opportunities.
Mr. McGee mentioned that the school’s fertilizer contract was up and found out that it
was done collaboratively with the Town fields, because they get a better price because
of volume. He complimented the DPW and the School’s maintenance Department.
There is an awful lot of collaboration. Chairwoman Murphy mentioned the 17% increase
in health insurance. She mentioned keeping the lines of communication open, because
if it ever was advantageous to collaborate and lower those rates, they would need to
pursue that avenue.
School Resource Officer
Mr. Sawyer mentioned that it is in both Town and School budgets moving forward to
have the 2nd SRO in place for the start of the coming school year.
Discussion of traffic and parking around the schools
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 8
Mr. Sawyer mentioned that the Council budgeted for paving the parking lot at the Little
League field. If it passes, they would implement paving the parking lot along with a
parking tag/permit system. They would take the next 175 names out of the lottery after
the school is done with issuing theirs. They are looking forward to that being a safer
parking lot. They did two major intersection studies. They moved forward with the island
in front of the high school and the 4-way stops in front of McKelvie and the high school
intersections and it has worked well. They’ve completed additional studies as well.
They’ve had some discussions about Memorial School and made some changes as
they rebuilt that road. Mr. McGee mentioned that in terms of the intersections and the 4way stops, that has been the single most complemented change that he has heard of.
He stated that there was a lot of collaboration on the warrant last year in order to get the
sidewalk between public works and the lower high school lot, which has improved safety
and was also done under a Town contract and came in well under budget. The
middle/school high school is very crowded at the end of the day. Mr. Kassler thought
that what they did in front of the high school and in front of McKelvie and the way they
tested it was fabulous. Chairwoman Murphy thought the thanks went to Chief Bryfonski,
Chief Wiggin and the Highway Safety Committee for their work on that along with Public
Works. Mr. Foote mentioned the parking lots at Marsden/Riley field and the pool and
wanted to know if the Town was going to be putting tags on those parking spaces too.
Mr. Sawyer explained that it hadn’t been fully planned out, but the initial concept is they
would place numbers on each parking space in the parking permit assigned would be
for an actual space with a number on it. They will reserve spaces for the tennis courts
and the pool and the playground. Mr. Kassler wanted to know if there were any thoughts
about mitigation during the few hours in the beginning and end of the school day. Mr.
Sawyer explained that once the contract was in place they would have some additional
meetings. It’s going to be hard to limit what they can do and where throughout the
school year. Mr. Kassler wanted to know if there were other creative opportunities
around encouraging people to drop their kids off at different locations or use different
traffic patterns and if there would be waivers of existing rules during the construction or
additional creative ways that they could take the pressure off. Mr. Sawyer responded
no; he didn’t believe they wanted to try and introduce more traffic to Chestnut without
better controls and realignment of that road. He thought the more kids that ride the
buses the better. Chairwoman Murphy wanted to know if they ever thought of pushing it
as an environmental initiative. Ms. Chagnon mentioned the co-curricular and sports
programs after school and kids that work. Mr. Kassler thought they ought to try it.
Councilor Bandazian wanted to know if they could gauge how many parents drive up
and drop their kids off. Ms. Chagnon mentioned putting signs on Chestnut so people
would go around the back and go to Nashua to get to the light as opposed to people
trying to take a left out of Chestnut. Councilor Aguiar didn’t want to encourage more
use of the back parking lot and Chestnut Drive and would recommend the opposite.
2017 statistical update process
Mr. Sawyer explained that every five years they are required to do a property
assessment. They are doing it this year instead of next year because the Town’s ratios
have gotten so far removed from the actual sale prices. They are about 15% low in
their total assessed valuation. They are at $3.2 billion assessed valuation. They are
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 9
short about $300 million in their total assessed valuation. That’s his number based on
the ratio of being 15% low on the sales. He believes in 2017 they could add $300
million to the Town’s total assessed valuation and get it up to about $315 billion. It will
have a dramatic impact on the tax rate. Ms. Chagnon mentioned the Macy’s site and
wanted to know if that project would be completed when they do the tax assessments.
Mr. Sawyer explained that it won’t be, because tax are always based on April 1 st
property conditions.
Chairwoman Murphy thought the conversation was thorough and informative.
The Council took a 5-minute break.
c. Discussion of 10-year Transportation Improvement Plan
Ms. Hebert explained that the SNHPC has asked the Town to submit a prioritized list of
projects for the fiscal year 2019-2028 State of NH 10-year Transportation Improvement
Plan. The document is updated every two years and it takes about two years to finish
the document. It’s the guideline for the NH Department of Transportation projects for all
modes of transportation. The Town has been very successful in having the NH Route
101 widening project from 114 to Wallace Road receive funding as part of the 10-year
plan. The Town has also been successful in having several local bridge projects
included in the plan. In last year’s 10-year transportation plan, they asked that a new
project be added for widening and transportation study of South River Road from
Hawthorne Drive to the airport access road. That project made it into the 2017-2026
10-year plan. There are 13 project in the prioritized list and 12 are already in the current
10-year plan and the recommendation is to continue to move those projects forward.
There is one new project to study NH 114 from the 101 intersection to Mast Road in
Goffstown and to also take a look at the New Boston Road corridor. Those roads have
seen increased congestion over the past several years and are vital commuting routes
for people who live in the northwest part of Bedford and the Town’s beyond. In
conjunction with the Route 101 widening, they thought the 114 route through Bedford
and Goffstown needed further study and recommend adding that as a project in the 10year plan. They don’t anticipate it receiving funding in the near term, but would like to
see it as a project in the 10-year plan.
Mr. Sawyer stated that Ms. Hebert brought it to the Planning Board and the Highway
Safety Committee and both boards have recommended what is in the staff report.
Councilor Bandazian wanted to know when Goffstown was going to look at it and see if
they supported it as well. Ms. Hebert stated that Goffstown didn’t have any projects in
the 10-year plan. She reached out to their planning director and their DPW director and
they are talking amongst themselves about adding a project for the 114 study, but she
didn’t know where they were at in that process. It hadn’t gone to their Board of
Selectman yet and they need to have their prioritized list back to the SNHPC by the
15th. Councilor Duschatko stated that it is the TAC meeting, which will rank all of the
regional additions. The State has fast-tracked it. Ms. Hebert stated that the State says
it’s fiscally constrained and it’s a real list of projects.
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 10
MOTION by Councilor Aguiar that the Bedford Town Council support
the list of priorities for the FY2019-FY2028 State of NH 10-Year
Transportation Improvement Program as presented in the staff report
dated March 8, 2017 and authorize the Town Manager to submit the
request on our behalf. Seconded by Councilor Bandazian. Vote taken
– Motion Passed –7-0.
d. Request for a license agreement to place a subdivision sign for the
Preserve at West Bedford within the Town right of way
Chairwoman Murphy stated that it had been postponed to their next meeting.
e. MS4 Update and financial authorization
Jim Stanford, Public Works Director, explained that it is through the stormwater
coalition, which is made up of 14 communities. They are trying to add more
communities. They’ve had a NPDES permit since 2003 and the new permit was set to
go into effect July 1, 2018. There are few of the provisions that they are very concerned
about. It would be putting the EPA within the local control of development. He was a
member of the executive committee on the stormwater coalition, which has
recommended proceeding with an appeal through the court system of several
provisions of the permit. At this point they have a commitment from Manchester. The
Town’s portion would be $18k and that’s based on population and the 14 communities
joining into it. If they could get more communities the cost could go down. If they get
less, the cost could go up. At this point he would be recommending the $18k. The EPA
is looking at reducing some of their rules. Unfortunately this is a permit, not a rule.
They don’t know if it would be scaled back at all. They are proceeding as though the
permit will be in effect as of July 1st.
Councilor Duschatko wanted to know if they saw anyone dropping out. Mr. Stanford
stated that it had been a concern. Some of the smaller communities that the permit
impacts, it is a lot of money. In the coalition they seem to have a lot of support. It’s
expensive to appeal, but if the permit goes into effect as is, it would be quite more
costly. Councilor Duschatko wanted to know if anyone will be added. Mr. Stanford
stated that he would like to be optimistic that it will grow. Over the history of it the group
has dwindled, but they have the core such as Manchester, Rochester and Dover.
Councilor Duschatko was thinking about Derry and Windham. Mr. Stanford mentioned
that some communities may be looking at their own actions, but they believes as group
it’s better to speak as one, because it impacts them equally.
Councilor Aguiar wanted to confirm that they didn’t need any budget changes for this.
Mr. Sawyer responded no, but he was a little hesitant, because $18k set aside from the
legal line item was not necessarily anticipated when they set the budget in place. He’s
hopeful that they will stay within the budget as proposed. They have $25k in unallocated
that he could come back to the Council for if they need to.
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 11
MOTION by Councilor Aguiar that the Bedford Town Council endorse
continued participation in the Storm-Water Coalition and authorize
the Town Manager to sign the Engagement letter for Legal services
and approve expenditures up to $18,000 as presented herein and on
the attached agreement. Seconded by Councilor Bandazian. Vote
taken – Motion Passed – 7-0.
f. Acceptance of Homeland Security Grant Award - EMS Warm Zone
Equipment
Mr. Sawyer explained that the grant would provide the emergency EMS personnel that
may need to enter a warm zone. The grant would allow for outfitting a number of
personnel with safety equipment and materials. Chief Wiggin explained that this has
been a change in the response methodology for police and fire, so that first responders
enter into a building and reduce the threat as soon as possible. Because of the need to
extricate patients within 15 to 20 minutes of an active shooter event, the thought
process is to get the EMS people in with cover including tactical equipment. The
amount of the grant was not to exceed $6k. They’ve submitted an itemized list and it
comes to $5,982.
Councilor Bandazian wanted to know the useful life of the equipment. Chief Wiggin
stated that 4-5 years is the expected life. Councilor Bandazian wanted to know if there
was some kind of training. Chief Wiggin stated that for the grant they had to have 75%
compliancy on an awareness video and testing online. They have completed that. In
the next year they have to have 25% compliancy on level one training, which they
haven’t even scheduled yet, but will be starting in April. It’s enough to equip four
people, which is basically two people in each ambulance.
Councilor Aguiar wanted to know if there was any training on the equipment. Chief
Wiggin stated that it was a State grant that was supposed to be administered in 2016,
but it just came out about 3 weeks ago. It was first come first served and they were one
of the top ten recipients of the grant. Councilor Aguiar wanted to know if it was just for
equipment and Chief Wiggin responded yes. Councilor Aguiar wanted to know if there
were ongoing maintenance costs for training, storage or upkeep. Chief Wiggin stated
that it hadn’t been discussed yet if they would replace it after five years; it’s just the
initial outlay of equipment at this level. It will be a concern if it’s going to be borne by
the communities that have it or the State will. Councilor Aguiar wanted to know about
the capacity to store it appropriately. Chief Wiggin responded that they have the
capacity to store it on the ambulance.
MOTION by Councilor Duschatko that the Bedford Town Council
accept the 2016 Homeland Security Grant for Personal Protective
Equipment for EMS personnel working in the Warm Zone and
authorize the Town Manager to execute any necessary
documentation. Seconded by Councilor Bandazian. Vote taken –
Motion Passed – 7-0.
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 12
g. Other New Business
Councilor Aguiar mentioned that at the last Conservation Commission meeting they
affirmed moving Dave Gambacinni from an alternate with a term expiring in 2019 to fill a
regular vacancy with a term to expire in 2018.
MOTION by Councilor Aguiar that the Bedford Town Council move
Dave Gambacinni from an alternate member with a term expiring in
2019 to a regular member with a term to expire in 2018. Seconded by
Councilor Bandazian. Vote taken – Motion Passed – 7-0.
5. OLD BUSINESS
a. PFC Update
Mr. Sawyer mentioned that the press release stating that Saint Gobain had contracted
with Pennichuck to move forward on the design solution for the originally 64 homes has
still not been issued. He played phone tag with the acting commissioner of DES and
based on the messages left, it sounds like the reason for the delay may be because
they are further considering the Town’s request to look at a larger study area and
alternative water sources. There have been no new updates from the State.
b. Drought Update
Mr. Sawyer stated that they continue to remain where they’ve been for the last couple of
months in a severe area. They will continue to monitor it and in April they should have
DES back and communicate an update and consider the voluntary ban and see if it
needs to go into being a more permanent ban or look at continued outreach and
education.
Councilor Duschatko wanted to know if there had been any change in the legislation.
Chairwoman Murphy stated that the executive session is scheduled for tomorrow. She
suspects that it is dead in the water given the number of diverse interests represented
at the hearing.
c. Other Old Business – None.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Public Session – February 22, 2016
MOTION by Councilor Aguiar that the Bedford Town Council approve
the minutes of the Public Session of February 22, 2017. Seconded
by Councilor Bandazian. Vote taken – Motion Passed –7-0.
7. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 13
1) Legislation – Mr. Sawyer explained the list of legislative bills that are attached to his
staff report. The Staff, Councilors, and I have been busy preparing and providing
written and verbal testimony on numerous pieces of legislation over the last several
weeks and many additional hearings are scheduled over the coming weeks. A
separate legislative tracking document has been provided.
2) The last day to register to vote or to make name and address changes prior to the
March 14th Election is Wednesday, March 8, 2017. The Town Office Building will be
open extra hours on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 6:30-7:30 PM only for the
purpose of voter registration and changes. Residents may also register to vote at
the polls on Election Day. Absentee ballots are available at the Town Office Building
until 5 PM on Monday, March 13th. Absentee Ballots must be delivered in person to
the town Office Building by 5 PM on March 13th, or received in the Town Office
Building by US Mail by 5 PM on March 14th. Sample Ballots are available on the
Town Website https://nh-bedford.civicplus.com/513/Sample-Ballots
3) The Town Budgetary Town Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 15 th at the
High School Auditorium at 7 PM. An informational handout for this meeting is
available on the Town Website which includes details on the three articles that will
be considered (police contract, capital reserve fund, and the town budget).
https://www.bedfordnh.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1914
4) Registration for Camp Witzel summer camp and other summer camp programs are
now open and information is available through the Recreation page of the Town
Website http://bedfordreconline.com/info/activities/
5) Town Website – The Bedford mobile application has been approved by staff for
approval by Apple and Google and will be available to the public as soon as it
released by those organizations.
6) Winter maintenance – two more events which total another $15k. Anticipate an
overage by year end of approximately $120-150k. The continued recommendation
from the Public Works Director is that they do not need to make a change to the
budget. They will watch it closely and come back to the Council with a
recommendation later in the year. It would likely impact the $1 million local roads
line item. That’s what’s been done in the past.
7) The Boys hockey team won and will be in the finals on Saturday at 4:30pm.
8. COUNCILOR COMMENTS
Councilor Duschatko encouraged everyone to come out and vote on Tuesday.
Councilor Bandazian encouraged everyone to tune in to WBNH for coverage on the
three Bedford teams that are in State tournaments, girls and boys basketball and boys
hockey. He thanked the legislative delegation. He thought it was a good collaborative
effort. He mentioned that HB342 passed, which is the study commission to transition of
regulation to the State from the EPA.
Councilor Stevens reminded parents to register their kids for kindergarten and first
grade by tomorrow. Go Bulldogs and go Celtics. She thanked Jim, because when she
first came on he was incredibly helpful and friendly and made it a nice place to be. She
appreciated the friendship and advice that he’s offered and will be missed.
Town Council Minutes – March 8, 2017 – page 14
Councilor Aguiar stated that it has been a lot of fun. He enjoyed it and thanked
everyone. He won’t be able to stay away too long.
Chairwoman stated that Jim has been great friend and resource and he’s super chill.
She appreciated having him on the board. She mentioned that it was International
Women’s Day. She didn’t think there were enough women in leadership and politics.
She thanked the women that came before her and paved the way so that it would
become commonplace for women to hold leadership positions in business and in
politics. She was extremely grateful for the women who came before her on the Town
Council, Jeanene Procopis and Lori Radke. They were the first two female Councilors.
Lori Radke was vice chairman of the Town Council. She was only the 3 rd woman to
serve on the Bedford Town Council, which was a surprising statistic to learn about. She
was also the first woman to serve as chairwoman of the Council. Melissa Stevens is the
4th female to ever serve as a member of the Council and she thought that was a
travesty. She hoped that in the future that it changes.
9. NON-PUBLIC – RSA 91-A:3 (if necessary)
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Councilor Aguiar to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor
Stevens. Vote taken – Motion Passed – 7-0.
The meeting ended at 9:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn Boufford