Select Board — June 16, 2026

Speaker shared statewide data on social isolation (16% overall, 29% for ages 18-24), depression rates among older adults, and local efforts like community dinners and happy-to-chat benches. Requested board support for Good Neighbor Day activities.

Comment received; no board action taken.

Details on three ~3,452-gallon tanks with secondary containment meeting 110% criteria; clarification on tenant fit-outs and hazardous material handling; questions on number of tenants and containment design.

Hearing opened 5-0-0, closed 5-0-0; special permit granted 5-0-0 with contingencies for hazardous waste plan and biosafety permit if applicable.

Work provides power for heating/light at fire station; paving of Great Road planned for spring after settlement; street opening permit to follow.

Hearing opened 5-0-0, closed 5-0-0; petition approved 5-0-0.

Services include ownership/rental monitoring (191 rental + 53 ownership units in Bedford), SHI tracking, TBRA lottery, fair housing training; slight budget decrease for Bedford noted; positive feedback on partnership.

Three-year extension approved 5-0-0.

Fund balance $950k; overages from out-of-district placements and unreimbursed transportation; policy requires school committee vote, finance committee consultation, and select board approval.

Transfer of up to $250,000 approved 5-0-0.

Snow/ice highest since 2015 but covered internally; police OT offset by vacancies; library and assessor/fire adjustments noted.

Transfers authorized 5-0-0.

Categories: deceased patients, invalid addresses, Medicaid max-outs, non-responsive out-of-state/overseas accounts; 10-year collection rate >91%; rates aligned with peer towns. Discussion covered write-off policy, absence of abuse among frequent users, hardship payment plans, and that uncollected amounts are under 9% of billed revenue with most losses from uncollectible categories.

Write-offs of $23,458 and 2.5% rate increase approved. Board approved abatement of uncollected ambulance revenue and adopted FY 2027 ambulance rates as outlined in Chief Bailey's June 15/16, 2026 memos.

Key points included rising irrigation meter adoption reducing sewer revenue, automated meter rollout, no irrigation restrictions, becoming a fully served MWRA community, tiered rates favoring low users, and conversion to quarterly billing. Standard residential bill increase estimated at $48/year.

Board approved FY 2027 water and sewer rates per the June 10/15, 2026 Public Works memo (5-0-0).

Further discussion on irrigation restrictions or conservation messaging planned for next year's rate cycle.

Fees were updated to reflect actual costs; deferral request followed standard practice for larger projects to allow payment prior to certificates of occupancy.

Board approved proposed DPW fee increases effective July 1, 2026 and approved sewer connection/II fee deferral for 277 Great Road (both 5-0-0).

Project is part of Middlesex Turnpike development sequence; funding secured via grant; location confirmed behind bridge on Page Road.

Board approved $296,900 contract with Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc. and authorized Town Manager to sign (5-0-0).

Advocate cited Bedford's elevated vulnerable-road-user fatality rate and cut-through traffic; opponents raised concerns about privacy, slippery-slope legislation, and board precedent on endorsing bills. Enforcement would be treated like parking tickets with human review.

Motion to endorse the bills received no second and failed.

Board will revisit enforcement policy if/when legislation passes.

Firm described its mid-sized municipal practice, lead/backup counsel model, responsiveness, and four fee options (hourly, fixed, hybrid, labor-inclusive). Board asked about role definition, communication, and billing structures. Firm described 24/7 access to lead counsel with backup, same-day callbacks, boilerplate municipal contracts, early warrant drafting focused on zoning timelines, pre-town meeting logistics sessions with moderator and FinCom, and office hours for department heads and boards. Board probed $3k monthly litigation differential, client load (2-3 towns per lawyer), and handling of subjective vs. objective advice.

Interview in progress; no decision reached in segment. Firm emphasized single point of contact, resource depth for procurement/real estate/litigation, and proactive prevention of litigation via early advice; no decision reached during interview.

Remaining board questions and interviews with other firms to follow. Board continues deliberation on all three finalist firms at a future meeting.

Members noted all three firms are competent; some expressed preference for KP Law's reputation and depth while others valued continuity with Anderson Krieger through recent turbulent periods. Town manager described seamless prior transitions and confirmed one-month extension option with current counsel.

Board agrees to table the selection rather than decide immediately.

Decision deferred to next regular meeting; members may speak individually with town manager.

Town clerk liaison noted that members without reappointment forms by June 30 lose quorum/voting rights until sworn; one individual required oath resolution. Motion to reappoint indicated members and authorize town manager to sign letters; separate motion for Brian Carr pending oath resolution with town clerk, as he had never been sworn in.

Motions passed 5-0 for the full reappointment list and the contingent appointment to Community Media. Both motions passed unanimously (5-0-0 and 5-0).

Town manager will sign appointment letters after oath is resolved for Carr.

Items presented as standard consent agenda following reappointments.

Motion passed 5-0.

Music and Arts Experience, Pride Celebration, furniture reuse pilot via Mass DEP grant, tax bills mailed June 30–Aug 3, work anniversaries for five employees, welcome to new chief and project manager.

Information shared; no board action.

Liaison reports skipped; motion to adjourn made.

Approved unanimously.