Bedford Cemetery Fees to Rise?

Last night, Bedford Town Councilors had one public hearing on an issue that may impact Bedford residents and scheduled another.

"No Thru Trucking" on Donald Street

First, prior to opening the floor to the public, the Council talked to Bedford Police Chief John Bryfonski and Town Manager Jessie Levine about a proposal to add Donald Street to Town Ordinance Chapter 262-5, which regulates "Trucking on Certain Roads."

The proposal adds the following terminology to the ordinance:

“No Thru Trucking on Donald Street from Route 114 to the Manchester Town Line, between from 9:30 PM until 7:00 AM.”

The ordinance already includes similar trucking restrictions for the following Bedford streets and roadways:

• Atwood Lane [Amended 4-9-2003] - Intersection of Ridgewood Road south to its end as a public way.
• Back River Road [Amended 12-22-1992] - From Smith Road to the Merrimack town line.
• Darby Lane [Amended 8-14-1991] - Entire length.
• Gage Girls Road [Amended 10-9-2002] - From Beals Road to the Merrimack town line.
• Greenfield Parkway [Amended 8-13-2008] - From Liberty Hill Road to Wallace Road.

Levine explained that the purpose of the modification is to prevent trucks, 18,000 lbs. and heavier, from using Donald Street as a shortcut to other parts of Bedford or Manchester.

The ordinance will not impact trucks that originate or conclude a trip at a Donald Street business, such as Market Basket – which is scheduled to open this spring – added Bryfonski.

The lone person to stand and speak on the amendment, in fact, was James Lamp a civil engineer and Demoulas consultant from of J & Co.

"I'm hear to represent Market Basket, but hearing the ordinance, the way it was read, sounds entirely reasonable," said Lamp.

Bryfonski explained that Bedford Police have already reached out to Manchester and to the state to help with signage to inform drivers of the restriction before they're committed. The Queen City already has an identical ordinance prohibiting trucking on its portion of Donald Street between 9:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Hearing no public objection, the Council unanimously approved the modification.

Increased cemetery fees

Town Councilors have also scheduled a public hearing at their next public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., to review a proposal that will increase the cost of a Bedford cemetery plot from $600 to $750.

Levine explained the change brings Bedford in line with other communities and is sure to help offset future cemetery maintenance costs.

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