Town Council Sets Proposed 2013 Municipal Budget

Unlike the first public hearing, Wednesday night's meeting at the BCTV Bedford Town Meeting room brought several residents interested in the hearing discussion on the Bedford Town Council's proposed 2013 Municipal budget.

Similar to the first public hearing, two Bedford residents rose to speak on the subject, and much like the Jan. 9 meeting, Bedford Town Councilors expressed disappointment more locals didn't exercise the opportunity to have a say in their tax rate.

Still, councilors unanimously approved their proposed operating budget appropriation of $25,929,418, which presents an anticipated 2013 tax rate of $4.65 per $1,000 assessed valuation, or $1,395 on a $300,000 home (a 30-cent increase over 2012).

Prior, Kent Messamore, who at the first public hearing pleaded with councilors to reduce and control administrative costs, once again stood before the microphone.

This time, however, he acknowledged that the majority of Bedford's municipal tax increase is derived from bonded infrastructure payments and a rise in state obligations and, as such, urged the council to reach out to the state and Bedford School Board and to encourage those separate entities to rein in their spending.

Albert Martore also expressed concerns. He asked councilors about several line item expenses, including a roughly $1 million increase in the fire department's budget.

Town Council chairman Bill Dermody deferred to Bedford Fire Chief Scott Wiggin, who explained that the department is planning to purchase a new fire truck this year and added that it will be almost entirely offset by grant money, other anticipated revenue and capital reserve funds.

When Martore asked why the department couldn't wait a year, Wiggin explained that the truck that is being replaced is Bedford FD's most oft-used apparatus and that the 15-year-old vehicle has roughly 110,000 miles on it.

He also noted that the cost of such trucks generally increases roughly 10-12% each year due to new standards and requirements, and noted that money is placed in the general fund each year with the expressed purpose of purchasing new apparatus when necessary.

Town Manager Jessie Levine also shared that she had received a letter from Bedford Taxpayers Association President Roy Stewart requesting additional information on several budget line items. She responded with a detailed explanation of each item (because there are too many items to list, we've attached PDF copies of of Stewart's letter and Levine's response, as well as a detailed copy of the proposed budget itself).

Stewart, who was present at the public hearing and meeting, voiced no further objection and the council approved the proposed budget by a 7-0 vote.

Residents will formally vote on the appropriation on Wednesday, March 6, at the Bedford Budgetary Town Meeting.

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