Accountability Posts

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community concern on loneliness raised but ignored

June 15 Select Board meeting: Jeanne Burchnell presented US Surgeon General data on social isolation (16% statewide, 29% for ages 18-24) and asked for support on Good Neighbor Day Sept 26-29 plus more happy-to-chat benches... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/bedford/select-board/2026-06-15/ #MeetingWatch #BedfordMA

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board declined position on traffic cameras

Bedford Select Board declined to endorse state bills for municipal traffic safety cameras on June 15. Motion received no second after discussion of privacy, local control, and slippery-slope concerns despite high vulnerable... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/bedford/select-board/2026-06-15/ #MeetingWatch #BedfordMA

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town counsel selection delayed after deliberation

Select Board interviewed Mitelman Acosta for town counsel on June 15 but tabled selection. Members cited need for more time to weigh KP Law reputation and continuity against new firm's engagement style; decision moved to next... https://meetingwatch.org/ma/bedford/select-board/2026-06-15/ #MeetingWatch #BedfordMA

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unanimous board actions on rates and transfers

All 16 recorded votes at the June 15 Bedford Select Board meeting passed 5-0, including $250k special ed stabilization withdrawal, 2.5% ambulance rate increase, and FY27 water/sewer rates. No splits recorded. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/bedford/select-board/2026-06-15/ #MeetingWatch #BedfordMA

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At the June 15 Select Board meeting, resident Jeanne Burchnell presented statewide isolation stats from the US Surgeon General and requested coordination for Good Neighbor Day (Sept 26-29) plus additional benches to encourage casual interaction. Board... #MeetingWatch #BedfordMA

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This was the only community-raised item on loneliness and social connection. No board member followed up on the request to align departments or explore the bench program further.

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Official minutes have been published. The lack of response leaves the request without recorded direction despite the data presented on elevated rates among older adults and young residents. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/bedford/select-board/2026-06-15/

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Longer-form draft.

On June 15 the Bedford Select Board held its regular meeting. One public comment came from Jeanne Burchnell on behalf of the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness. She cited Surgeon General data showing 16% of residents statewide experiencing social isolation, rising to 29% for ages 18-24, with higher depression rates among older adults. She described existing local efforts such as community dinners and asked the board to coordinate departments for Good Neighbor Day September 26-29 and to consider additional happy-to-chat benches.

The board allowed extended time for the comment. No motion, discussion, or follow-up action was recorded. All formal votes that evening, including the $250,000 special education stabilization fund withdrawal, 2.5% ambulance rate increase, and FY2027 water and sewer rates, passed unanimously 5-0.

Separately, a motion to endorse state legislation authorizing municipal traffic safety cameras received no second. The board also interviewed a finalist for town counsel but tabled the selection for further consideration at the next meeting. https://meetingwatch.org/ma/bedford/select-board/2026-06-15/ #MeetingWatch #BedfordMA