TOWN OF BEDFORD
ANNUAL TOWN AND SCHOOL REPORTS
TO THE
ANN D«NKOLfi ME
PLfiYGROUND
DEDICATED JULY 2007
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY- THE LOCAL BUSINESSES
AND SERVICE CROUPS. FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS WHO
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED THE REBUILOINC OF THE BEDFORD
COMMUNITY PLAYCROUNO. YOUR HELP AND DONATIONS WILL
(JIVE MANY CHILDREN A CHERISHED PLACE
TO PLAY AND THRIVE.
GOLD
ANN OeNrCOLA TRUST
BEDFORD FRIENDS OF RECREATION
TOWN OF BEDFORD
SILVER
BEDFORD LIONS CLUB
DOCTORS PARK PEDIATRICS
FENCES UNLIMITED
HANNAFORO SUPERMARKETS
HARVEY'S CONCRETE FLOOR COMPANY
HUH FOUND A TION
THE HOME DEPOT & KoBOOMI
LIBERTY HILL CONSTRUCTION. LLC
MANCHESTER REOIMiX CONCRETE, INC.
L. NEWMAN ASSOCIATES/PAUL MANS8ACK. INC.
PEDIATRIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES
PRO-SCAPE
ROTARY CLUB OF BEDFORD
SPATIAL CONSTRUCTION
BRONZE
BEDFORD MEN'S CLUB
ECKMAN CONSTRUCTION
R.E. JENKINS CONSTRUCTION
KEACH-NORDSTROM ASSOCIATES. INC.
THE SHOTTES FAMILY
Tieo LUMBER
* SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE PLAYCROUNO COMMITTEE:
MICHELLE CASALE. ANDREA CHATEIELO. BILL CREIHER.
PRISCIUA HcCINTY. US* HOSKAI.
JANE O'BRIEN. KlU PEICKER. GEORGE POTTER.
ERIN STEFFENS. JEN THEODORE
2007 TOWN COUNCIL
2007 SCHOOL BOARD
Paul Roy, Sr., Chairman
Mike Izbicki
Kevin Keyes
Michael Scanlon
Bob Young
Normand Longval
William Jean
Cindy Chagnon, Chairperson
Sue Thomas
Steve Beals
Terry Wolf
David Sacks
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
TOWN DIRECTORY
TOWN OFFICES
24 North Amherst Road, Bedford, NH 03110
Hours: Monday - Friday 8^00 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday - 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
Assessing, Planning and Zoning 472-8104
Auto/Dog/Voter Registration 472-3550
Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates 472-3550
Finance and Personnel 472-9869
Parks and Recreation 472-5242
Public Works: Highway and Sewer 472-3070
Tax Collector/Town Clerk 472-3550
Town Office - Administration 472-5242
Website: www.bedfordnh.org
SAFETY COMPLEX
55 Constitution Drive, Bedford, NH 03110
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Building/Health Code Officiayinspector 472-3838
Fire Department - Business Line 472-3219
Police Department - Business Line 472-5113
FIRE AND POLICE EMERGENCY LINE 911
Website: www.bedfordpd.com
BEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, NH 03110
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am- 3:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 am - 5:00 pm (September through June)
Telephone 472-3023
Website: www.bedford.lib.nh.us
OTHER TOWN DEPARTMENTS
Town Pool, 20 County Road (summer only) 472-7331
Transfer Station/Dump, Chubbuck Road 472-4563
Hours: Tuesday - 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday through Saturday ■ 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
(Closed Sunday and Monday)
BCTV - Channels 16 & 22, 10 Meetinghouse Road 472-8288
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE
TOWN OF BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
For the Year Ending December 31, 2007
ELECTED OFFICL^LS
APPOINTED OFFICLy:.S
TOWN COUNCILORS
Paul Roy, Sr., Chairman 2009
Mike Izbicki, Vice Chairman 2010
Kevin Keyes 2008
Michael Scanlon 2010
Bob Young 2009
Normand Longval 2009
William Jean 2008
Bill VanAnglen (resigned 5/07)
TOWN CLERK
Wanda Jenkins 2008
MODERATOR
Eugene Van Loan, III 2008
SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST
Benita Diamond, Chairperson 2008
M. Elaine Tefft 2010
JoanMcMahan 2008
Lynn Cornell (resigned 10/07)
Dorothy Witzel (resigned 10/07)
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST FUNDS
Ryk Bullock 2008
Scott Earnshaw 2009
Mark Peicker 2010
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Robert Brooks, Chairman 2009
Anthony Frederick 2008
Edward Moran 2010
Town Manager Russell R. Marcoux
Executive Assistant Dawn Boufford
Assessor William Ingalls
Building Code Official Wayne Richardson
Environmental Coord Steve Crean
Finance Director Crystal Dionne
Fire Chief Scott Wiggin
Information Systems Brian Davis
Library Director Mary Ann Senatro
Police Chief David Bailey
Planning Director Rick Sawyer
Public Works Director Jim Stanford
BCTV Station Manager Bill Jennings
Town Treasurer Edith Schmidtchen
Planning Director Karen White
(retired 8/07)
Recreation Director Craig Sanderson
(resigned 10/07)
STATE ELECTED OFFICL\LS
Governor John Lynch
US Senators Judd Gregg
John Sununu
US Representatives Paul Hodes
Carol Shea-Porter
Executive Councilor Raymond Wieczorek
State Senator Sheila Roberge
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE
GENERAL COURT
Mark Clark
John Graham
Ken Hawkins
Edward P. Moran
Jayne Spaulding
Maurice Villeneuve
Town of Bedford NH - 2007 Annual Report
APPOINTED BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
PLANNING BOARD
Paul Goldberg, Chairman 2010
Jon Levenstein, Vice Chairman 2009
Harold Newberry, Secretary 2008
DebSklar 2008
NealCasale 2009
Karen McGinley 2008
Robert Young, Councilor
Russell Marcoux, Town Manager
Alternates
Paul Roy, Sr., Councilor
Michael Burns 2008
Christopher Riley 2009
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Christopher Bandazian, Chairman 2008
Sara Clark 2008
William Walsh 2010
James O'Neil 2009
Mike Izbicki, Councilor
Alternates
Derek Koziol 2009
Eric Bernard 2010
Normand Longval, Councilor
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Mervyn Taub, Chairman 2008
Glenn Boston, Vice Chairman 2009
Karen Simmons 2009
David Brown 2009
Anthony Clark 2010
Bob Young, Councilor
Neil Casale, Planning Board
Alternates
Landy Labonte 2010
William Jean, Councilor
Michael Burns, Planning Board
TRUSTEES OF CEMETERIES
Don Folsom, Chairman 2008
Ralph Dieter 2009
Howard Frizzell 2010
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Greg Zimmermann, Chairman 2008
Beverly Thomas 2008
William Jean, Councilor
Deb Sklar, Planning Board
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Alternates
Andrew Noyes 2009
Laura O'Donnell 2010
Pamela Weeks-Dorji 2008
Paul Roy. Sr., Councilor
Karen McGinley, Planning Board
PARKS AND RECREATION
William Foote, Chairman 2009
Sue Thomas 2008
Michelle Casale 2010
Normand Longval, Councilor
Alternates
LoriRadke 2010
Kim Daneault 2008
Mike Izbicki, Councilor
BEDFORD COMMUNITY TELEVISION
Eugene Mackie, Chairman 2008
Robert Thomas 2010
Mike Robinson 2010
Michael Sills 2010
Richard Rawlings 2010
Mary Lou Wilson 2008
Lauren Horton 2009
Mike Izbicki, Councilor
William Jean, Councilor Alternate
Terry Wolf, School Board
HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMITTEE
Police Chief David Bailey, Chairman
Fire Chief Scott Wiggin
Jim Stanford, Director of Public Works
Paul Roy, Sr., Councilor
Gerry Gagne, Resident 2009
Ken Peterson, Resident 2010
Tony Grande, Alternate 2009
Mike Izbicki, Councilor Alternate
WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Bruce Thomas, Chairman 2010
Paul Goldberg 2008
Paul Arnold 2008
Richard Moore 2009
Kevin Keyes, Councilor
Michael Scanlon, Councilor Alternate
Steve Crean, Environmental Coordinator
Richard Sawyer, Planning Director
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Town & State Elected Officials 1
Appointed Boards & Commissions 2
Table of Contents 3
Dedication 4
Minutes of 2007 Budgetary Town Meeting 5
2007 Town Population and Tax Rate Information 17
March 13, 2007 Election Results 17
Update from Washington - Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter 18
Town Council Chairman Message 18
Town Manager's Report 20
Finance & Personnel/Tax Collection Departments 21
Statement of Bonded Debt 23
Independent Auditor's Report 24
Balance Sheet - Governmental Funds as of December 31, 2006 26
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 27
Information Technology Department 28
Planning Board 28
Planning and Zoning Department 29
Zoning Board of Adjustment 30
Southern New Hampshire Planning 30
Cemetery Trustees 31
Supervisors of the Checklist 32
Bedford Village Common Committee 32
Historic District Commission 32
Assessing Department 33
Conservation Commission 34
Bedford Parks and Recreation Department and Commission 35
Bedford Community Television (BCTV) 36
Bedford Police Department 38
Bedford Police Department 2007 Annual Statistics 39
Bedford Fire Department 39
Forest Fire Warden & State Forest Ranger Report 40
Building/Health Department 41
Building Department Statistics 43
Department of Public Works 44
2007 Road Program 45
Bedford Water and Sewer Advisory Committee 46
Bedford Public Library 46
Town Clerk's Report 49
Trustees of the Trust Funds 50
Marriages 51
Births 53
Deaths 55
2008 Municipal Warrant and Budget Summary 65
2008 Town Council Proposed Budget Summary 68
2008 General Fund Appropriations by Category 70
2008 Proposed Appropriations 71
2008 Proposed Revenues 73
2008 Proposed Budget Breakdown and Tax Rate History 74
Capital Improvement Plan Summary 2008 - 2017 75
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
DEDICATION
DOROTHY "DOTTIE" WITZEL
This year's Town Report is dedicated to Dorothy "Dottie" Witzel, one of Bedford's finest and most
selfless citizens. Dottie was a long time resident of Bedford along with her husband Walter. In
1958, Dottie and Walter chose to make Bedford their home where they raised their 2 children,
Valerie and Jeffrey.
After spending more than twenty-five years working for the telephone company, Dottie began to
focus her time and energy in service to the residents of Bedford. For several years, Dottie was quite
active in Town organizations including the Unity Club Fair, the Bedford Mothers Club and the
Bedford Crimeline. After working as a ballot counter in the mid 1970's, Dottie continued to serve
her community as a Supervisor of the Checklist. She was elected to the position in 1996 and was
unanimously appointed as Chairperson in 2000, where she served as such until 2007. On November
28, 2007, Dottie was appointed as Supervisor of the Checklist Emeritus by the Bedford Town
Council.
Dottie's devotion to her family, friends and community is admirable. She was a firm believer in
doing what was best for the Town of Bedford. Dottie's unforgettable strength and character serves
as an inspiration to us all.
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Bedford Budgetary Town Meeting was held
on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at McKelvie School.
Moderator Eugene Van Loan III opened the
meeting at 7:00 PM, led the Pledge of Allegiance,
and introduced those seated on the stage:
Councilors William Van Anglen, Lori Radke,
Michael Scanlon, Andy Egan, Kevin Keyes, Paul
Roy, Norm Longval; Town Manager Russ
Marcoux; Finance Director Crystal Dionne; Town
Clerk Wanda Jenkins. There were approximately
150 people present.
Moderator Van Loan turned the microphone over
to Town Council Chairman Bill Van Anglen for a
presentation.
Chairman Van Anglen said we have a number of
recognitions that we'd like to give to some Town
employees as well as some past Councilors and
also to some Councilors that will be leaving us.
The first presentation is a proclamation to Roland
Latulippe. Chairman Van Anglen read the
proclamation:
TOWN OF BEDFORD. NEW HAMPSHIRE
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS,
Roland Latulippe served as a part-time and
auxiliary officer with the Bedford Police
Department for over 45 years, retiring on
December 31, 2006 at the age of 73;
WHEREAS,
Roland was born in his family's house at 14 Curtis
Lane and grew up with five brothers and a sister.
His father was a Bedford Police Officer and later a
crossing guard. Roland went from grade school to
working in a Manchester mill, and then into
construction;
WHEREAS,
Roland was sworn in as a part-time special officer
for the Bedford Police Department on September
5, 1961 at the age of 28. At that time, the
Department consisted of the Police Chief, one
patrolman, and two special officers;
WHEREAS,
Roland was proud of his arrest record of zero,
which he credited to his unique approach to
policing. He solved more problems by talking to
people rather than having to arrest them. He
even convinced more than a few potential
dropouts into finishing high school;
WHEREAS,
Roland became an auxiliary officer for traffic duty
on November 9, 1989. He was famous for his
orange gloves that could be seen around Town,
either directing traffic or waving at passersby;
WHEREAS,
Roland received over 600 get-well cards during a
16-month recovery period that occurred as a
result of an accident in 1994; a tribute to Roland's
positive impact and reputation within the
community;
WHEREAS,
Roland was well known for his cheerful smile, his
dedication to the Town of Bedford and his endless
supply of tootsie rolls, which he kept in his pocket
and distributed to children of all ages;
WHEREAS.
Roland was recognized for his years of service at a
retirement party held in his honor on February 1,
2007. There on the whiteboard was written the
phrase "1-800-CALL-ROLAND", a reference to his
can-do attitude and dedicated work ethic;
THEREFORE,
Be it resolved that we, the Bedford Town Council,
and on behalf of the members of the community,
do hereby express our wholehearted thanks and
appreciation to Roland for a job well done, and
wish him the best of luck on his retirement.
PROCLAIMED BY THE BEDFORD, NH TOWN
COUNCIL THIS 7'h DAY OF March 2007
William Van Anglen
Michael Scanlon
Kevin Keyes
Normand Longval
Lori Radke
Andrew Egan
Paul F. Roy, Sr.
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Chairman Van Anglen presented Mr. Latuhppe
with a container of Tootsie Rolls. Chairman Van
Anglen said for those of you who don't know,
Roland's got a little bit of a movie star in his
background. He was featured on a Megabucks
commercial many years ago. They filmed him and
they asked if you won Megabucks where would
you go and he said Aruba. Roland has had a very
interesting career. He's been an icon of the Town
for years and Roland we appreciate everything
you've done for us.
Roland Latulippe said I appreciate everything
that everyone has done for me. If there be
anything I could do today, I'd be more than willing
to do it for you. This means a great deal to me
and I am honored for all the things that have been
going on; the Department giving me a farewell
party; a couple of weeks ago I had an invitation to
the School Board at which they gave me a gift
also, which was a pair of gloves, but they weren't
orange, they were black. I enjoyed that so much.
Thank you very, very much everybody and God
bless you all. Thank you.
Chairman Van Anglen said the next person we
would like to recognize is somebody who has had
this coming for a long time. In fact, over the last
year the Council has intended to do this and
hasn't had a chance to be able to do it. We'd like
past Council and Past Chairman Bill Greiner to
join us please. Councilor Greiner served on the
Council for six years and I had the pleasure of
serving for four of those six years with him. I can
tell you that as a Councilor he was dedicated to
his job. He had a lot of passion about what he
thought and he was quite impactful on the
Council. He did a lot of things that over the years
helped us both financially and helped us as a
community. Bill, it's long overdue. I apologize to
you for taking this long. We want to thank you for
all the years of service that you've given us.
Chairman Van Anglen presented Mr. Greiner
with a plaque that read:
In appreciation of your dedicated service
to the Bedford Town Council from 2000 to 2006
and Chairman in 2003.
Chairman Van Anglen said the next recognition
that we'd like to give as a Council is to a Councilor
who has served us well. The Council over the
years has been represented by many different
personalities. If you've lived in Town for any
period of time and you watch our meetings, you'll
see that there are a lot of different personalities
up there. We've had Councilors who have been
outspoken. Councilors who were very analytical.
Councilors who have been controversial, and
Councilors that have been quietly influential. As
many of you know, this last year has been a year
of change on the Council. During that year, there
has been one Councilor that has been working as
a stabilizing force. Through Lori Radke's
compassion, calm approach, and even
temperament, she has helped lead this Council
through this time of change. Lori has been a
friend and advisor to each of us. She has been an
advocate for civility, fairness, and reaching out to
the public and the voters. Lori has never
forgotten who she is as a person or whom she
represents. As the Vice Chair this year, I
personally found her guidance and counsel during
tough situations invaluable. Lori also holds the
record for chairing the fastest Town Council
meeting in the five years I've been on the Council,
however, as normal, this Council does not have
100% alignment around the record. Lori, some of
your fellow Councilors do not attribute the record
to your skills as the chairman on that meeting,
but the fact that I was not at the meeting. I don't
know what they mean by that. I would attribute
it to your skills as the chairman. Lori, on behalf
of the Town Council and the community of
Bedford, I would like to thank you for your years
of commitment and service to the Town of
Bedford. On a personal note, Kathy and I would
like to thank you for allowing us to go on vacation
in February, because my wife is the outgoing
School District Clerk and Lori is running to be the
School District Clerk, so my wife will not have to
handle absentee ballots anymore during the
election period anymore and Lori will. Lori, we'll
miss your guidance, your counsel and your
calming affect.
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Lori Radke said as many of you know, I'm not a
woman with many words. The only thing I'd like
to say is thank you Council for the three years
that I've been all of you guys, and Councilor
Danielson and Councilor Greiner too, it was a
wonderful experience. I learned a lot. I enjoyed
coming to the meetings. There was a lot of work,
a lot of preparation, but I went to every meeting
with an open mind and I enjoyed it. Also, the
people I would really like to thank is all of you
who voted me in three years ago and I hope I
served you well. Thank you very much. Lori was
presented with a plaque.
Chairman Van Anglen said last, but not least. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank Town
Councilor Andy Egan for his dedication and hard
work over the years. Andy's honesty, integrity
and insight have enriched the Council and the
community of Bedford. Andy has personally and
selflessly sacrificed an incredible amount to serve
the community and he will be sorely missed on
this Council. I know I speak for the entire Town
Council when I say that we wish Andy the most
heartfelt thank you and the best of wishes in the
years to come. On a personal note, I will miss
Andy's guidance, sense of humor, and common
sense approach to the issues we have faced over
the years. I have always found his thoughts to be
in the best interest of the community. Andy, we,
and I, will miss you very much on the Council.
Chairman Van Anglen presented Andy with a
plaque that read:
Bedford Town Council March 2003 to March 2007
In appreciation of your dedicated service to the citizens
of Bedford:
Your generous personal commitment of time and love of
the community has been an inspiration for us all'
You have been a model of leadership and
uncompromising in tegrity-'
Thank you for all you have sacrificed to make
Bedford a better place.
Lori Radke said about two years we had a
gentleman, an artist in Town, who came and he
presented to the Town, his name is Herb Lucas, a
beautiful painting of Joppa Hill. I was sitting on
the Council at the time and it was a beautiful
painting. I looked over to Councilor Egan and I
just remember the expression on his face. It was
just in awe. If you come to the Town Offices you'll
see it. It's of the Joppa Hill with the cart up there
near the tree. I always thought back then, if I'm
on the Council and Andy Egan is still here, I want
to make sure that we present him with that very
same picture, so Andy, this is for you. We all
agree that you deserve this. Lori presented Andy
with the picture.
Andy Egan said that I certainly was not prepared
for. As most of you know I've amassed quite a
collection of these. This is a rather bittersweet
occasion for me. The bitter part is stepping down
and ending my service to this community. I hope
I've comported myself well on your behalf. I've
always tried to be a representative of the entire
community. The sweet part is there are always
new challenges out there. I will still be around.
You will see me active this summer on behalf of
the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. I
think you all had made me a lot prouder than 1
have you. You have shown tremendous
forbearance, a tremendous understanding and
caring, and I thank you all.
Lori Radke said about a year ago I had a
conversation with our Chairman about being
Chair. Apparently everybody wants to be Chair.
If you ask me I think it's a little overrated. He
wanted to be Chair. We talked about it. I told
him to think it over. Do you really want to do that
job? I have a gut feeling. Bill, it's going to be
tough year. Don't ask me why. It must be
women's intuition. It's going to be a tough year.
He said no, I want to be Chair. I said okay I'll
support you and good luck. It was a busy year.
There were some controversial topics and some
intense meetings. Of course, a regional wide
search for a new town manager. In thinking back,
what better person to organize the search than a
human resource professional, so it was meant to
be that Bill was our Chair this year. Bill, you did
a great job. You ran your meetings efficiently.
You were fair and you treated each and every one
of us with respect. What more can a Council ask
for? Bill, it was an honor to serve beside you. The
one thing I noticed while sitting next to you at the
meetings, you enjoyed using your gavel. With
that said, I would like to present to you your very
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
own gavel. One more thing, on my three years on
Council, 1 had the privilege of working with lots of
great Chairs. Of course, Bill was this year and
last year we had a wonderful Chair, who wasn't
recognized for some reason or another. I believe
Kevin Keyes did a wonderful job my second year
as a Councilor and I think this is an opportunity
to recognize our Chair from two years ago; better
late than never. Kevin, thank you for being our
Chair from the year 2005 to 2006.
Moderator Van Loan said we are going to now go
the warrant. The business of this evening is
Article 3 on the warrant, which is the budget. The
other articles on the warrant are^ the first article
is the election of Town officers and the next article
is a series of proposed zoning amendments. All
of these together with the issues that are on the
School District warrant, which includes the School
District budget items and election of School
District officers will all occur next Tuesday, March
13'h, here at the McKelvie School. This is by
ballot. The polls will be open, as to both Town
and School matters, from 7:00am to 7:00pm. I
want to repeat that. Trust me! do not listen to the
radio when they tell you that the polls in New
Hampshire are open at such and such a time.
Typically they will over state it or under state it.
Bedford - 7:00am to 7:00pm. If you are too late
after 7:00pm, regardless of where you work or
whatever the radio might have said, the polls
close at 7:00pm. That is for all voting matters on
the ballot.
Moderator Van Loan said I'm going to read the
only item on the warrant, which is Article 3, and
in this case it is on page 61 of the Town Report. I
will read that and I will ask for a motion. Once
that motion is seconded, I will ask the person who
made the motion to speak to the article if he or
she wishes to. I assume it's going to be one of the
members of the Town Council. After we have had
an introduction to the motion, then we will
proceed to discuss the items on the budget. We
will refer to pages 64 & 65 of the Town Report
where the individual line items on the Town
budget are enumerated. I will go down the
individual items, which total up what the total
budget is and I will read each line item. As I do, if
somebody has a question, wishes to discuss or
wishes is to make a motion, that is the time to do
it. Although it is not a hard and fast rule, I want
to make it as hard and fast as I can that once we
pass an item, that we don't go back to it. If
anyone wishes to make a motion, and because this
is a Budgetary Town Meeting and essentially the
only thing we're doing is raising and
appropriating money, essentially the only motions
that you can make are to increase or decrease the
budget in a particular area. If you make such a
motion to increase or decrease, I'll ask for a
second and then you can speak to you motion. If
you do make a motion, I will accept a secondary
motion to that, but we're not going to get into
third motions, fourth motions, etc. If anyone
wishes to speak, I would ask that you approach
the microphone. Please state your name and your
residence in Bedford. 1 think all of you know that
the only people that are entitled to speak or to
vote at this meeting are residents and voters of
the Town of Bedford. With respect to speaking,
however, in a case where it seems appropriate
because we have need for special information from
somebody who might not be a registered voter,
such as a Department Head or something that
doesn't live in Town, upon request for permission,
I would grant a non-voter permission to speak.
However, when it comes to voting time, only
registered voters who have passed through the
checklist are entitled to vote. If you do wish to
speak, I ask that you direct your comments to the
Chair, not to members of the Town Council. This
is not an adversary proceeding. This is an effort
to vote. It's a democratic proceeding. We are here
to vote on the budget. If you have a question, you
direct it to me. I will in turn, if it's a question that
you want some member of the Council to answer
on some financial issue, I will refer it to them.
They can answer it or not answer it as they
choose, but we're not going to get into a private
dialog between a citizen and a member of the
Council. If you get a response that you don't like,
you can talk back to me. Don't get into a private
dialog with the Council and I would say the same
thing to the Council. That it's your responsibility
to direct your comments to the Chair and not to
engage in private dialogs with members of the
voting public. We're going to try to keep matters
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
civil and we don't wish to engage in any adverse
personal attacks, profanity or anj^hing of the like.
When all is done with respect to the discussion on
a motion if there is a motion that's pending to add
money or take money out of the budget, we will
vote on that matter. Typically, I would call for the
vote simply by a voice vote. If I am in doubt and
unable to call that vote, I could ask for a standing
vote of the yeas and the nays. By the same token,
if there is a voice vote, and you don't think I've
called it right, stand up and ask for what is known
as a division, which means a standing vote.
Regardless of whether I think I called it right or
not, if you ask for a division, you're going to get
one. The final possibility with respect to voting is
a secret, written ballot. 1 have received no
requests up to this point, but you are entitled as
voters to request on any issue, a secret ballot. The
way to do that if somebody requests it is that
immediately before we vote on an issue, I can
accept that request by five voters signing a piece
of paper saying they request a secret ballot or
after we have had the vote, whether it's by a voice
vote or a standing vote, I will accept a secret
written ballot request either orally or in writing
by seven voters. Once we pass on to something
else, there's no going back. We do have some
designated areas in the back for non-registered
observers. I will use as a guideline, but not be
totally bound by it, Robert's Rules of Order and a
little bit of common sense. This is your meeting.
If you do not agree with a ruling that I make on
any procedural issue, unless that procedural issue
is something that is commanded by law, if it's a
matter of some kind of discretionary procedural
rule that I make, you are entitled to challenge
that ruling and just like any other determination
that we make tonight, it will be done by majority
vote. If I make a ruling that you disagree with,
you can say I wish to challenge the ruling of the
Chair and if there's a second, we can have some
discussion about. Unless it's something that's
proscribed by State law, you can take a vote on it
and you can overrule the Chair on any procedural
ruling. I will ask you to turn to page 61 in your
Town Report and I'm going to read Article 3.
Article 3.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate such sums of money as may be
necessary to defray the Town charges for the
ensuing year.
General Fund $20,525,412
Police Special Detail 454,374
Recreation Day Camp 140,191
Bedford Comm. TV 299.913
Special Revenue Funds 57,500
Sewer Fund 1,525,361
Total Appropriation $23,002,751
MOTION by Council Chairman Van Anglen that
we approve the Town Operating Budget in the
total appropriation amount of $23,002,751.
Seconded by Lori Radke.
Council Chairman Van Anglen asked to speak to
his motion.
Council Chairman Van Anglen said what 1 would
like to do is on page 61 through 62, there is a
summary of the budget. What I'd like to do is
read through that summary that highlights the
different areas of the budget and speak to the
motion that way.
Council Chairman Van Anglen read a summary of
the 2007 Town Council proposed budget as
follows^
2007 Town Council
Proposed Municipal Budget Summary
There is an estimated tax increase in the Town
portion of property taxes of $0.80 to support the
2007 budget. The estimated Town portion of the
tax rate is $3.65 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Highlighted below are the projects and/or
equipment included within departmental budgets
that will continue to allow for the quality service
that the residents of Bedford have come to expect.
Additional costs in the budget are funded through
cost savings elsewhere and new revenues.
Town of Bedford, NH ~ 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Town Council budget includes $1,000,000 for
the acquisition of land, if a parcel becomes
available during the year. This amount is totally
offset by revenue. The debt service payments for
Joppa Hill have been fully funded, therefore there
is no appropriation in the 2007 budget.
The Election and Registration overall budget
decrease is due to a reduction in the number of
elections in 2007. However, this budget includes
$8,070 for the purchase of 50 new voting booths as
well as $3,000 for potential startup costs associated
with moving the elections to the new high
school/middle school if needed in 2007.
The Finance and Personnel budget includes
$10,000 to be deposited into the Financial Software
Capital Reserve account.
The Information Technology budget includes
funding for the replacement of various computers
and equipment as recommended by the Information
Technology Master Plan accepted by the Town
Council. This budget also includes $19,000 to be
deposited into Capital Reserve accounts.
The Assessing budget includes a $15,000 Capital
Reserve deposit for the 2008 valuation update.
The Planning Department budget includes $25,000
benefit payout for the retirement of the planning
director and $30,000 Capital Reserve deposit for
the town wide master plan.
The Safety Complex budget includes $41,500 to
begin replacement of the 10 heating units, which
are beyond their life expectancy. This amount is
offset by a Capital Reserve withdrawal of $22,500.
The Fund Balance Reserve budget was established
in 2005 to address the long-term financial stability
of the town and funding continues in 2007 with an
appropriation of $278,749.
The Police Administration budget includes merit
wage increases for all department personnel and
$30,000 for anticipated police grants. The grants
are offset completely by revenue.
The Police Communications budget includes
$84,305 to fund 2 new positions, a Dispatcher and a
Lieutenant for 6 months. These positions will
require full year funding in future budgets. This
budget also includes an $18,000 Capital Reserve
deposit for the future replacement of the dispatch
radio console.
The Police Patrol budget includes $76,902 to fund 2
new patrol officer positions for 6 months, one of
which will serve as the School Resource Officer for
the School District. This SRO position is partially
funded by the School budget in the amount of
$28,838. These positions will require full year
funding in future budgets. This budget also
includes a $9,000 Capital Reserve deposit for the
replacement of portable radios.
The Fire Administration budget includes merit
wage increases for all department personnel and
$125,000 for anticipated fire grants. Revenues
offset this budget item.
The Fire Operations budget includes a full year of
funding for the 5 new positions added at the 2006
Budgetary Town Meeting. Also included are three
additional firefighter positions for 6 months, which
is partially funded by the receipt of a 5-year
SAFER grant. These new positions are
recommended by the fire master plan study. The
Fire Operations budget also includes $205,000 for
deposits to various Capital Reserve accounts for the
future replacement of capital equipment and
vehicles.
The Public Works Administration budget includes
merit wage increases for all department personnel.
The Public Works Local Road Maintenance budget
includes $2,665,450 for the principal and interest
payments of the two existing road bonds and
$1,000,000 for local road maintenance. Public
Works will also spend approximately $4 million of
the 2005 Road Bond during 2007.
The Public Works Highway budget includes
$115,000 for the replacement of a compressor and
mower, which are offset by capital reserves in the
amount of $100,500. The budget also includes
$291,000 for the purchase of two dump trucks and
a loader/backhoe, $131,000 of which is offset by
revenue. There is an additional $225,000 budgeted
to be deposited into various Capital Reserve
accounts.
The Transfer Station budget includes $158,240 for
the landfill bond payment.
The Recreation Field budget includes $52,000 for
the Center Park, $100,000 for the replacement of
Timber Town which is offset by anticipated
donations and a capital reserve withdrawal, all
totaling $61,200. Also included in this budget is
$50,000 to repair Selvoski field, and $12,000 to
replace a mower.
The Library budget includes merit wage increases
for all department personnel, funding to a Capital
Reserve for building repairs in the amount of
$34,700 and $165,288 for the Library bond
payment.
The Conservation Commission budget includes
$329,228 towards the purchase of conservation
land if any becomes available. This amount is
offset by revenue.
10
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Moderator Van Loan said I'm going to suggest to
you that you turn to page 64 in the Town Report.
I'm going to read the various line items. I will be
reading from the last column, which says 2007
Council Recommended, because it is those
numbers which total up to the amount that is
included in the budget warrant article of
$23,002,751. After I read it I will hesitate for a
while. If there is some discussion, that's the time
to do it. If not, no discussion or a motion, then
we'll proceed down the appropriations until we get
to the end. Although I did say that if there are
any motions to be made with respect to specific
line items, that they should be made at the time
that we are discussing them, if anybody has a
motion at the end, which is undifferentiated,
example, say I want to cut the budget by 50% or I
want to increase the budget by 50%, those can be
made at the very end before we vote on the budget
as a whole, because any such amendment is not
intended to direct itself to specific line items.
Moderator Van Loan read the 2007 Proposed
Appropriations (attached).
Town Council Line Item - Shuvom Goshe, 38
Hawthorne Drive asked why there's a difference
between what the Manager recommended, a
difference of almost $400,000, and what the Town
Council recommended and what the budget goes
to. Council Chairman Van Anglen said the
difference is that in the Town Council budget
there's approximately $602,000 in Capital Reserve
for the purchase of land. The way our
appropriation works and our budget works is that
if we don't appropriate it, we can't spend it. So if
this year we ended up selling a piece of land; we
have pieces of land that have been donated and
given that are landlocked and we sell them to
abutters, and that's where this money comes from.
If we were to sell a piece of land for $200,000 and
put it in the account, if a piece of land came
around for $800,000 and we only had the
$602,000, we couldn't buy it for the $800,000, so
right now there's $602,000 in an account, if we
don't have the money, it's offset by revenue, so
there's zero tax impact. If we don't have the
money we can't spend it, because we have to
appropriate it and then show the revenue. Does
that explain what it's doing? Mr. Goshe said the
increase between what the Manager wants and
what the Council wants is for the potential of
spending it in case anything comes up. Council
Chairman Van Anglen said for the potential
purchase of land, yes. Mr. Goshe said so that
purchase will be made just without any further
vote. Council Chairman Van Anglen said what
would happen is we would negotiate according to
the privacy laws in the State. We would then
have to, in a public session, have an open hearing
and have a discussion about voting on that
property, however, it would be the Council's vote
at that point, not the publics, but we would do it
in an open discussion. We would invite public
comments, and we would then make our decision
as a Council. Mr. Goshe asked from year to year
have you every chosen not to purchase land when
it became available. Council Chairman Van
Anglen said we have had some situations where
we have not done that, so that's why that number
is at $602,000.
Cemetery Line Item - Council Chairman Van
Anglen said he would like to make a motion and
then speak to the motion.
MOTION by Council Chairman Van Anglen that
we reduce the Council recommended budget of
$37,450 for Cemeteries by the amount of $18,500.
Seconded by Councilor Radke.
Council Chairman Van Anglen asked to speak to
his motion.
Council Chairman Van Anglen said when the
Council put this budget together, we were in a bid
situation on some of the work to be done in the
cemeteries. We have actually come back and
there is a bid that's come in that is $18,500 less
than what we thought that bid was going to be. I
would recommend that we take that amount out
of the budget because we're not going to be
spending it on that amount. Moderator Van Loan
asked what would that make the remaining
number? Council Van Anglen replied $18,950.
Moderator Van Loan said the motion has been
made to reduce the budget in the area of
11
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Cemeteries by the amount of $18,500 making the
new Cemetery hne item $18,950. Is there further
discussion on that motion? Hearing none, I'm
going to call for a vote.
Vote taken - Motion is carried.
Public Safety Complex Line Item - Chris Shapley,
Pilgrim Drive said part of this is a $41,500
amount for the replacement of heating units. My
point is that the Town has a large number of
structures that are heated. Do we have a policy,
looking forward, as to how we are going heat all
these buildings? Have we considered
rationalizing and including the option for example
for supplementary coal heat in those buildings
that are continuously manned? It's a lot cheaper
per BTU. I think it's about a third or a quarter of
the cost of oil or propane. It has the advantage
that I've never heard of a coal spill or a coal leak.
If we can move salt around we can move coal
around and we don't import it. I was just
wondering how the decision had been come to and
whether or not it's part of a systematic approach
to heating Town buildings including this very
large, very cold building. I'd like to suggest that
we delay spending the money until we've looked
into it. Councilor Scanlon replied to be honest
with you no is the short answer to your question.
Mr. Shapley said you haven't looked into it.
Councilor Scanlon said we have not looked into
alternative heating sources. I will tell you that we
have multiple facilities in Town that use different
types. The Safety Complex uses natural gas, so it
is not oil, so it's not imported. The point is that
these units are actually costing us more money
today to maintain them then it would be to
replace them, so that's why we felt it was time to
appropriate the funds to replace them. What I
can tell you is that next year if you'd like that to
be an issue, if you want to contact the Council, I'm
sure we would be more than willing to put that on
the agenda and have a discussion about it, but by
not spending this money this year and replacing
these units, we're going to have to put that
amount of money into our Maintenance line item
in order to keep the ones that we have there
going. Mr. Shapley said the point is they will be
in there for another 20 years and depending on
the decision you make now, you may be buying
very expensive natural gas 10 or 15 years from
now. Councilor Scanlon said I can't disagree with
you, but unfortunately even if we decided tonight,
unless you made a motion to give us enough
money to retrofit those buildings for that, it would
be impossible for us to do that next year. My
point is that you can spend the money, replace the
units and have them run more efficiently, which is
going to use less fuel or we can take that same
amount of money, put it into maintenance and
just spend the money to try and put a couple of
Band- Aids on the units that are on top of that roof
right now. Quite honestly, whether or not these
buildings can be retrofitted for anything such as a
coal-burning furnace, I would have no idea if
that's even possible at this point. Mr. Shapley
said essentially you're just going to replace like
the, there was no plan. Councilor Scanlon said
there was no plan to change the type of fuel we
use to heat those buildings, other than to upgrade
and modernize the units on the roof. Mr. Shapley
asked how much fuel does the Town of Bedford
buy? Crystal Dionne replied I can tell you we bid
out about 30,000 gallons for Town buildings. I'm
not sure of the School side. We'd have to get back
to you on that. Mr. Shapley said and you're
paying how much for it? Ms. Dionne replied we're
paying $2.29. Mr. Shapley said so that's about
$66,000. The same amount of heat from coal
would cost you about $15,000. Councilor Scanlon
said again, just to be clear, we would have to
retrofit buildings, which would not be an
inexpensive proposition, so we would have to look
at what our return on our investment would be,
and I don't know that these buildings could be
economically retrofitted. It is possible. Tonight, I
don't believe is really the place to debate whether
or not we should do that only because we're
talking about the budget. If you would like to
reduce the budget you could make that motion,
but that certainly would be something worth
discussing next year in a regular meeting of the
Town Council. Mr. Shapley said I would like to
suggest that you delay or delete the renovation of
the furnaces for $40,000 if the Town is only
spending $60,000 on all buildings, I can't imagine
that another season without changing the
furnaces is going to cost that much. Moderator
12
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Van Loan said if you wish to make a motion you're
entitled to do so.
MOTION by Chris Shapley that the replacement
of these furnaces be deleted pending some
inquiries to cheaper alternatives for fuel.
Moderator Van Loan said what we need is a dollar
figure, because all we can deal with at this
meeting is money. Mr. Shapley said it says
$41,500. Moderator Van Loan asked is that your
motion? Mr. Shapley replied that is my motion.
Moderator Van Loan asked if there was a second.
Motion was seconded to reduce the budget in the
area of Public Safety Complex by $41,500, the
intent being to forego at this point the retrofitting
of those items. Is there discussion on the motion?
Elaine Tefft, 7 Meetinghouse Road said there is
and there isn't. I'm hopeful that we're
approaching the end of the heating season. That
being the case, there is nothing requiring that
$41,500 to be spent in part or in whole on those
heaters, and if we leave it in the budget, there is
nothing to prevent you from either not spending it
or spending it on something else, so possibly the
new Town Council could look at alternative
heating sources. I'm not conversant enough with
coal heat to even comment on it, but if I have to
speak to the motion to address it, I would like to
leave the money in there in the event that it's not
feasible to do anything else. 1 don't think we're
going to be doing it this heating season. It will be
going into the next heating season.
Councilor Scanlon said one of the things I'd like to
clarify is that $41,000 isn't totally being used for
the heating replacement of those units. $22,500 is
the cost to replace those units. Certainly as Ms.
Tefft eluted to, if somebody comes forward and we
can come up with a better alternative, nothing
says that we have to move forward with this. The
Council at that time could take the money and
they could decide to do something else with it.
Just the mere passing of it tonight, if someone can
come forward with a much more cost efficient
alternative that makes sense, I can't imagine that
the seven Councilors wouldn't embrace that idea
and certainly go forward with that. I would
personally recommend against removing this
money. This money is needed. These units need
to be replaced. If they are not replaced, it's going
to cost us, I can't tell you it's going to cost us the
whole $22,000, we are spending a lot of money
repairing those units. They are not running
properly. They are running inefficiently, so we're
using more fuel. Leave the money in the budget,
and if the gentleman would like to come and
speak to the Council. I'm sure the Council would
be more than willing to listen to his alternatives.
It would give us a chance to get this done. I don't
know the timeframe of the replacement of these
units, but I guarantee it wasn't in the winter
months. It's probably in the summer months, so
there are a few months to take a look at an
alternative and 1 would think very quickly we
could find out if it would be a cost effective
measure. I would recommend not voting for this
motion and leaving the money as is.
Moderator Van Loan asked if there was further
discussion on the motion to amend.
Bob Jones, 11 Birkdale Road said I just want to
point out that coal is one of the most polluting and
carbon intensive energy sources. If it saves
Bedford a couple of thousand dollars, I don't think
it's worth doing.
Chief Wiggin, Bedford Fire Department said I
have a little familiarity to those heating units.
They are also cooling units throughout the
summer months, so it you're just addressing the
heating aspect of it, you're not even dealing with
coal for the cooling aspect of it. These are called
point of use units. They cover tenants, they cover
2"'' floor, and they are all strictly duct plenum
units. Any type of a coal unit has to have heat
exchangers, hydronics and different types of
elements that far will be exceeding this figure.
Moderator Van Loan asked if there was further
discussion. Seeing none, I'm calling for a vote of
the motion to reduce the budget by $41,500 in the
area of the Public Safety Complex.
Vote taken - Motion defeated.
13
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Manchester Transit Authority Line Item -
Councilor Radke asked to make a motion and
speak to the motion.
MOTION by Councilor Radke that we increase
the budget from $40,500 to $43,200. Seconded by
Council Chairman Van Anglen.
Councilor Radke asked to speak to the motion.
Councilor Radke said a couple of weeks ago, the
Council received a memo from the Manchester
Transit Authority that they are increasing the
routes in Bedford, which is then therefore an
increase in fees. They are adding additional
routes to Bedford.
Moderator Van Loan asked if there was further
discussion. Seeing none, I'm going to call for a
vote.
Vote taken — Motion carried.
Traffic Control Line Item - Paul MacEwen, 22
Moores Crossing Road said I just wanted to know
what traffic control entailed. Councilor Scanlon
replied it is signals, red lights, and traffic signals.
Mr. MacEwen asked some of that stuff isn't
controlled by the State? Councilor Scanlon replied
some of it is, but most of it is the Town of Bedford
and we had three new ones, so we had to increase
it by $6,000 for that.
Recreation Department Fields Line Item -
Councilor Scanlon asked to make a motion on
fields.
MOTION by Councilor Scanlon to increase the
Fields budget by $30,000. Seconded by Councilor
Radke.
Councilor Scanlon asked to speak to his motion.
Councilor Scanlon said the reason for doing this is
the Timber Town Playground Committee has been
in the process of raising funds and about a month
or two ago during a budget session, originally we
had budgeted for them to raise $50,000. They felt
that they were going to be able to raise more than
the $50,000, so they asked us to raise the
appropriations so if they were able to raise more
than $50,000 they could use those additional
funds they raised and build us a better Timber
Town playground or do some landscaping. It was
an oversight. It was meant to be changed. It
wasn't, so tonight I have to make the motion to
add the $30,000 and when we get to the revenue
side, I'm going to make a motion to increase the
revenues. Moderator Van Loan said no, we don't
increase or decrease revenues. They are what
they are. It's for informational purposes. All we
deal with is the appropriations. If you wish to
discuss what you anticipate to be changes in
revenues based upon what former estimates were,
this is the time to do it. Councilor Scanlon said
what will happen is we will increase the revenue
that we anticipated from $50,000 to $80,000, so if
the Timber Town Playground Committee doesn't
raise the $80,000, we won't fund it through taxes,
they just won't have that money to spend, so we'll
have the $50,000 from the Town and whatever the
Timber Town Committee picks up. If they can
raise $80,000, then they can spend $130,000. If
they raise $65,000. then they'll have $115,000 to
spend. There will be no impact on the tax rate.
It's completely offset by anticipated revenues.
Technically, unless we appropriate it, we can't
spend it. That's all this is for.
Mark Clark, 38 Cortland Drive said I'm interested
in why the Council recommended budget for 2007
as well as the $30,000 that we're going to add is so
much higher than what was expended in 2006 at
$324,026. Councilor Scanlon said it's quite simply
we just have more projects. Last year we didn't
have as many reconstruction projects. We have
Selvoski Field being replaced. We have the
Timber Town playground. We have the Town
Center Park. We have just more things that we're
doing this year that we were able to fit into the
budget.
Moderator Van Loan asked for further discussion
on Councilor Scanlon's motion to increase the
budget by $30,000 in the area of Fields under the
Recreation Department.
14
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Paul MacEwen, 22 Moores Crossing Road said on
Selvoski Field I'm not quite sure where that is.
Councilor Scanlon said it's the softball field by the
Town pool. Mr. MacEwen asked is that the one
that has the little pond? Councilor Scanlon
replied said there are a lot of wetlands around it.
If you're at the Town pool and you are looking to
the left of the Town pool, there's a softball field
that sits down low, that's Selvoski Field. Mr.
MacEwen said there's a little body of water right
near it? Councilor Scanlon said yes, there are
some wetlands around it. Mr. MacEwen asked
what needs to be repaired to that? Councilor
Scanlon replied mostly it needs to be built up and
drainage put it because when it rains, it's under
water. It just gets saturated. This is something
we've been putting off for a while! just to make the
field more playable. It's old, it's tired, and its time
has come. Mr. MacEwen asked is there any way
that could be postponed for another year and use
your additional that you want to throw in there
from that instead? You were talking about
increasing the Field account. Councilor Scanlon
said the revenue from that was through private
donations. There was no tax impact on that
$30,000. If the committee that's raising funds for
the Timber Town playground doesn't raise that
additional $30,000, it will not be spent. By
removing Selvoski Field, there would be no,
unless we wanted to give them an extra $30,000 if
that's what you are proposing. Mr. MacEwen said
no. The way I kind of anticipated the discussion,
it sounded like on anticipated donations and
monies and if that didn't come about, then you
have a project that's not fully completed and then
where is the money coming from to complete it.
Councilor Scanlon said the way it is, when we put
the budget together, we anticipated that the Town
would raise $50,000, which actually $12,000 of
that will be offset by withdrawals from the
Capital Reserve, so we're only raising $38,000 in
taxes with the other anticipation that this
organization would raise $50,000 to match the
$50,000 the Town had. To day they're a httle over
$31,000 that they've already been able to raise.
They have a fundraiser coming next week and
they anticipate being able to raise over $50,000, so
the request from them came as if we're overly
successful raising these funds we would like to be
able to invest those funds and maybe make the
Timber Town better than we could for $100,000.
Unfortunately, since that money is coming to the
Town if we don't budget to spend it, we can't
spend it. So if they raised $80,000 and gave it to
us, we wouldn't have the ability to spend that
$30,000 this year because it wouldn't have been
budgeted for this year, so we would be in the
position where we would have to maybe put
something off and allow them to do something
next year, which could cost more money. You're
better off, when you're doing it all, to get it all
done and get it done right. It's important that if
they are able to go out there and raise these funds
that's just that much more that the Town of
Bedford is getting for nothing. Mr. MacEwen said
the field, is that number that you have is that
from a bid number, somebody will do that field
for? Councilor Scanlon said it's an estimate. We
had people take a look at it. I beheve the
contractor that did the road work and the tennis
courts and building the high school took a look at
it and since he has his equipment there he felt he
could get over there and repair that field for us
with a savings. We had gotten an estimate as to
what it would cost to do what we want to do, so do
we have an actual this is what's going to cost us to
do it, no, but we have an estimate. Mr. MacEwen
said what I'm a little concerned about is originally
when they took that land for that park, that was
one big pond over there and then the Town filled
in two thirds of it. so that field's actually on filled
in land, so if there hasn't been a real hard look at
that property, which is full of springs and stuff. I
can see that project turning into a little bit of a
nightmare. Councilor Scanlon said if the project
costs more than we budgeted, it won't get done.
We could if we wanted to move money from
another part of the budget, but my guess would be
if the quotes come back and the bids come back
that are far and excessive of what we budgeted
for, we probably would push that project off for
another year. Mr. MacEwen said I was just
wondered if it was a number that had been pulled
out. Councilor Scanlon said we had gotten an
estimate from the contractor, we said look this is
what we want to do, what do you think? It wasn't
a hard fast number, but it was like I can probably
do that for this kind of money.
15
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Budgetary Town Meeting - McKelvie School
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Moderator Van Loan asked for further discussion
on the motion to amend. Seeing none, the motion
is to increase the budget by the amount of $30,000
in the Recreational budget in the area of Fields.
Vote taken — Motion is carried.
Conservation Commission Line Item - Councilor
Roy asked to make a motion.
MOTION by Councilor Roy that we increase that
line by $14,484. Seconded by Councilor Scanlon.
Councilor Roy asked to speak to his motion.
Councilor Roy said we were just informed that
this particular item has received interest on
investments through the Trust Fund in the
amount of $14,484. It's a zero impact on the tax
dollar. We have the increase in revenue along
with the increase in allocation.
Moderator Van Loan asked if there was further
discussion. Seeing none, I'll call for a vote.
Vote taken - Motion carried.
Police Special Detail Line Item - Shuvom Goshe,
38 Hawthorne Drive asked what is a Police
Special Detail? Moderator Van Loan said I
believe this is just an in and out item. Councilor
Kevin Keyes said when you have the Police
Officers that are controlling traffic around
construction projects and those types of things.
Mr. Goshe said I always thought those were paid
for by the construction projects, not the Town.
Mr. Keyes said they are, but the construction
company pays the Town and the Town has to pay
the employees, so we have to come up with an
estimate of how much work we expect to be done,
how much of our Police services will be needed,
and that's what we budget for. It's a non-tax item,
but because of quirks of fund accounting we have
to budget for it in this manner. Mr. Goshe said so
if the estimate is less than what you put, the
construction company just pays the Town less.
That money is not spent. Councilor Keyes said
that's correct.
Moderator Van Loan said just so everyone
understands, that's what I meant by and in and
out item. Under New Hampshire Municipal Law,
the Town, even if it is reimbursed by a private
contractor or sewer fees or whatever the case may
be, the Town cannot spend money unless it
appropriates the money, so although it may be
what I just suggested it's an in and out item
meaning that it doesn't cost us anything because
somebody else ultimately pays for it, it must be
part of the budget and must be appropriated.
Moderator Van Loan said according to my notes,
we decreased the budget by $18,500 in the area of
Cemeteries; we increased the budget by $2,700 for
Manchester Transit Authority; we increased the
budget by $14,484 for the Conservation
Commission; and we increased the budget by
$30,000 for Fields in the Recreation Department.
The new number with the additions and
subtractions is $23,031,435.
Moderator Van Loan called for a vote on a motion
to approve a budget for the Town of Bedford for
2007/2008 in the amount of $23,031,435.
Vote taken - Motion carried.
MOTION to adjourn was moved and seconded.
Vote taken - Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30.
16
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
2007 TOWN POPULATION AND
TAX RATE INFORMATION
POPULATION - 22,631 (trended based on 2000 census)
2007 ASSESSED VALUATION: $3,117,004,593
TOWN $3.67
COUNTY $1.10
LOCAL SCHOOL TAX $11.80
STATE EDUCATION TAX $2.42
COMBINED TOTAL TAX RATE $18.99
Town of Bedford
2007 Tax Rate Breakdown
SCHOOL
62%
Percent Increase/iDecrease) Over 2006 Tax Rate
TOWN 28.8%
COUNTY 1.9%
LOCAL SCHOOL TAX 18.6%
STATE EDUCATION TAX (2.8%)
COMBINED TOTAL TAX RATE 16.2%
RESULTS
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MARCH 13, 2007
ARTICLE i: To Elect Necessary Town Officers
FOR TOWN COUNCIL
For THREE Years
CHRISTOPHER BANDAZIAN
1341
MICHAEL P IZBICKI
1844
MICHAEL J SCANLON
1476
For TWO Years
FRANK SLEDJESKI
268
ELAINE TEFFT
908
"BOB" YOUNG
1609
FOR LIBRARY TRUSTEE
For THREE Years
EDWARD P MORAN
1952
MELINDE LUTZ SANBORN
682
FOR TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST FUNDS
For THREE Years
MARKTPEICKER
1664
"MOE" VILLENEUVE
1136
For TWO Years
SCOTT EARNSHAW
2490
Town of Bedford
Tai Rate History 2003 • 2007
ARTICLE 2: PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENTS
I TOWN D COUNTY ■ SCHOOL ■ STATE ED
Amendment No. 1 -
Amendment No. 2 -
Amendment No. 3 -
Amendment No. 4 -
Amendment No. 5 -
Amendment No. 6 -
Amendment No. 7 -
Amendment No. 8 -
Passed
Passed
Passed
Passed
Passed
Failed
Passed
Failed
For Full Text of all Zoning Amendments see the
2007 Warrant printed in the Town's 2006 Annual
Report beginning on page 58.
17
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
contact the New Hampshire Office of Energy and
Planning at (603) 271-8317.
It was a busy year in my New Hampshire offices
in Manchester and Dover as well, where we
assisted over 1,200 individuals with inquiries to
federal agencies including the passport office.
Social Security, Medicare, and the VA. To apply
for a passport, visit travel.state.gov and follow the
online instructions, or see the Frequently Asked
Questions section of my website.
An Update from Washington
By Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
Last year, the House of Representatives passed
many important measures that affect our lives
here in New Hampshire. From lowering the cost of
student loans, to raising the minimum wage, to
protecting middle-class families from the
Alternative Minimum Tax, Congress addressed a
wide range of issues that will benefit New
Hampshire families.
To help families afford the rising costs of higher
education, we passed the College Cost Reduction
and Access Act, which will cut interest rates in
half for federal student loans, and save a typical
student in New Hampshire $4,430 over the life of
a loan. The bill will also increase funding for Pell
Grants for low-income students and provide loan-
forgiveness for talented students who pursue
public service fields like teaching or emergency
response.
Congress passed legislation to protect 23 million
families from a tax increase of up to several
thousand dollars this year under the Alternative
Minimum Tax. In July, we raised the federal
minimum wage, increasing it from $5.15 to $7.25
an hour by 2009. At the same time. Congress also
passed tax credits for small businesses. To find
out how businesses can take advantage of the new
tax benefits, visit www.sba.gov or contact my
office at (603) 641-9536.
With energy prices rising. Congress increased the
fuel efficiency standards for vehicles for the first
time in thirty-two years. I'm also pleased that we
passed an increase in funding for the Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
which supports New Hampshire's Fuel Assistance
Program. If you or someone you know needs help
affording the cost of heating fuel this year, please
Representatives from my office regularly visit
towns across the First District to assist
constituents in working with the federal
government. For more information about the
services that my office provides, please visits
www.shea-porter.house.gov.
To keep up to date on the latest developments in
Washington, you can also track legislation using
the Thomas search engine provided by the Library
of Congress at www.thomas.gov.
I am honored to serve you in Congress, and I wish
you a happy and prosperous year in 2008.
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter represents the
First Congressional District of New Hampshire,
which includes communities from Manchester to
the Seacoast and through the Lakes Region up to
Conway. Her Manchester and Dover District
Offices can be reached by calling (603) 641 -9536.
TOWN COUNCIL
Paul F. Roy, Sr., Chairman
I would like to begin by thanking the members of
the Town Council for their assistance this past
year as the Chair of your Town Council. Every
member of the Council devotes much time and
commitment to the position, and has to make
many decisions in that post.
18
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
2007 was a year of change in Bedford. First, we
welcomed our new Town Manager, Russell
Marcoux to the position in February. In March,
as we said farewell to two Council members who
chose not to seek re-election, we welcomed two
new members as a result of the March elections^
Mike Izbicki and Bob Young. More change was
yet to come with the resignation of Chairman Bill
Van Anglen in May. Following that resignation,
as the Council's Vice Chair, I became the Chair
and Mike Izbicki was named the Vice Chair. In
July, Bill Jean was unanimously elected to fill the
unexpired term of Bill Van Anglen.
This year saw appointments to various Boards
and Commissions, and shortly thereafter,
approval of a formal Appointment Process, which
was incorporated into the Council Rules of
Procedure that was also adopted in June. This
year, we saw the submission and adoption of
Bedford's GOALS 2007 program, which
incorporated joint goals of the Council and the
Department Managers. Every four months, the
Manager reports the status of those joint GOALS
to the town. [Both the Rules of Procedure and the
GOALS 2007 can be found on our WEB page.] In
an effort to increase communications throughout
the organization, we devote a segment of each
Council agenda to meet with each of our
department managers and the Chair of each of
our town boards.
There are two things that are most visible in
town: road improvement and winter road
maintenance. The voters of Bedford have thus far
approved $20 million for road reconstruction. In
2007, in addition to the various roads that were
rehabilitated through normal maintenance. Back
River Road, Smith Road, County Road and
Nashua Road were reconstructed along with other
roads connecting to these major roads. (More
details of all the affected roads is included in the
Public Works Report.) In 2008, we will be
spending the remaining $4 million of the $20
million road bonds, and we should be readdressing
this road program for future funding.
The next most visible area is winter road
maintenance, also known as snow removal! While
we have experienced mild winters, the winter of
2007/2008 is proving to be a "real" winter! In
December alone we saw the highest snow fall in
recent memory, which means our highway
maintenance crews are called into service on
weekends, nights and holidays, which seems to be
when our biggest storms seems to appear!!
Although our snow removal budget for 2007 was
adequate, it was only as a result of the mild
winter of 2006/2007. We do not expect that to be
the case this current winter. While on this
subject, I want to take a moment to thank all of
our highway crews on behalf of the Council for an
excellent job of keeping our roads clear of snow
and ice.
Another major interaction with our residents is
our Policies and Ordinances. This year, the Town
Council amended our Building Code and Fire
Code. In addition, the Council approved both an
official Public Health and Temporary Sign
Ordinance. We also approved an Energy
Challenge Resolution and our involvement in
MetroCenter NH, which is a regional organization
to delve into such issues as economic development
and transportation. The Council also met with
the School Board on two occasions, and among its
joint goals was the passage of a Memorandum of
Understanding for school and town facilities and
fields.
Many years ago, the town implemented an impact
fee for roads from developers whose new projects
were going to impact the town roads. Hannaford
will be building a new store and pharmacy on Rt.
101, at the intersection of Hardy and Jenkins
Road. The town was successful in having
Hannaford pay the town's municipal share of
those fees ($227,000). Those funds are held in
escrow awaiting completion of those
improvements. That impact is both on a state
road and local town roads.
Our Bedford Boston Post Cane program saw
another transition this year. In May, long time
resident and centenarian Doris Tarr Bongers
assumed ownership of the cane. It was a pleasure
presenting her with the Boston Post Cane and
wishing her continued good health. She turned
100 in September. The Boston Post Cane
tradition started in 1909.
During this year, the Council voted to amend and
increase the following tax exemptions^ Deaf and
Hearing Impaired, Surviving Spouse and Senior
Exemptions. The Council also approved our Fire
Departments Labor Contract which had been
outstanding. We also participated in the official
grand opening and open house at Bedford's new
High School and Lurgio Middle School in
19
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
September.
Bedford.
This was truly a proud moment for
Lastly, although she passed away in early
January, 2008, I would be remiss if I did not
mention the unfortunate passing of our long-time
friend and town volunteer: Dorothy "Dottie"
Witzel. She was recently named Supervisor of
Checklist Emeritus by the Town Council in honor
of her long-time relationship with the Town of
Bedford. We will all miss her. I am also pleased
that we are dedicating this Annual Report in her
memory.
Even in a year of change, your Town Council was
occupied with many agenda activities and policy
items. I have enjoyed this past year as the
Chairman of the Town Council, and would like to
thank my fellow Councilors for their support and
patience as we worked through a year of change
and addressed the future needs of our community.
I would also like to thank our Town Manager, as
well as the Department Managers and employees
for their hard work and dedication to making
Bedford a better place to live, work, enjoy
recreation and raise a family.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Russell R. Marcoux, Town Manager
(with Executive Assistant Dawn Boufford)
I have just now completed my first year as your
Town Manager. As you know, 2007 was a very
busy year for the Town of Bedford. Not only did
you get a new Town Manager, we had three new
faces on the Town Council, along with a new
Chair. Organizationally, when I arrived here, we
had a vacancy in our Planner II position. We also
knew that mid-year we would experience the
expected retirement of our long time and well-
respected Planning Director, Karen White.
Fortunately through the search process we located
Rick Sawyer, who at the time was a Planner in
Nashua. He assumed the Planner position in
April, and worked side by side with Karen for a
smooth transition to the Planning Director
position. We were then fortunate to hire Cynthia
May, who came to us from another community, as
our Planner II.
As you know, our Parks and Recreation Director,
Craig Sanderson was called to military duty. Late
in the year, he decided that he would serve out his
commitment to the military full-time. We were
fortunate to have a staff on board that knew the
processes and programs, and they worked
diligently to be sure the Town of Bedford did not
miss a beat in providing those services. This
presents us with the opportunity for
reorganization that will provide some growth and
opportunity to our staff.
As you have heard me say before, I have been
fortunate to inherit a good team of department
managers and employees who have been very
supportive, and willing to tackle some new
ground. Credit goes to my predecessor, Keith
Hickey, for his selection and staff grooming
process. Although I could spend much time
outlining all that has been accomplished this year,
I direct you to our GOALS 2007 program that was
completed this year for a summary of the many
projects that we have worked on. That summary
is located on our WEB page, and a copy is
included in this report. We are currently in the
process of presenting the GOALS 2008 program to
the Council.
Unfortunately, this year, we saw two of our major
road improvement projects on Rt. 101 and Rt. 3
postponed indefinitely by the NH-DOT. The
Council has taken the position that the Route 101
project is important enough for public safety
purposes alone, to address that project through
our road bond program. Though not completed at
this time, it is being addressed by the Council.
On the brighter side of road improvements, your
Roads Improvement Program continued this year
with major work done in the Back River Road
corridor, Nashua and County Road along with the
Smith Road area. We are planning to complete
the last $4m of the $20 million in road
improvements in 2008.
20
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Our first Budget was completed on schedule and
reviewed by the Town Council. It is currently in
the final hearing stage before the Budgetary Town
Meeting on March 5, 2008. A copy of our entire
Budget message can be seen on our WEB page.
Overall, this has been an exciting year and at the
same time, a year of change. I thank you for the
opportunity to serve the Town of Bedford a.s your
Town Manager. Our Department Managers and
all our employees strive to provide a positive
experience for the citizens of Bedford when they
come in contact with Bedford's town government,
whether it be Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks
and Recreation, Planning, Assessing, Vehicle
Registration or the many other departments that
make up our town government. I am impressed
with our employees' willingness to deliver services
and work as a team to complete those goals. In
addition, we would not have been able to
accomplish what we did this year without the
support and encouragement of our Town Council.
We thank them as well for their support.
Please take a moment to surf our WEB page,
www.bedfordnh.org. If you have any suggestions
on we can improve your town government please
feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail at
rmarcoux("^'ci.bedford.nh.us. Also, if you have the
desire to serve your community, please feel free to
contact our office with your areas of interest.
Good government is made up of interested and
involved citizens, and there are a myriad of
boards, committees and commissions that
welcome new ideas.
MEET YOUR DEPARTMENT MANAGERS
Front row. left to right: David Bailey, Police Chief; Wanda Jenkins. Town
Clerk: Rick Sawyer. Town Planner: Crystal Dionne. CFO: MaryAnn Senatro,
Library Director. Back row. left to right: Russ Marcoux. Town Manager:
Brian Davis. IT Manager: Bill Ingalls, Assessor: Bill Jennings, BCTV: Scott
Wiggin. Fire Chief Jim Stanford, DPW Director: Jane O'Brien, Parks c& Rec.
FINANCE. PERSONNEL AND
TAX COLLECTION DEPARTMENTS
Crystal A. Dionne, CPA - Director
OFFICE OF THE TAX COLLECTOR
During 2007, the Town portion of the tax rate
increased $0.82, or 28.8% from $2.85 to $3.67 per
$1,000 of assessed valuation. The increase in the
tax rate is due to a variety of factors. These
include additional debt service payments
commencing on the 2005 Road Bond, the addition
of 4 new positions within the police department,
expenses related to full year staffing of 5 new
firefighter positions added in the 2006 budget, 3
additional firefighters positions, a substantial
increase in the veterans' tax credit from $100 to
$500, and general inflationary increases in
operating costs. It is important to note that the
property tax rate consists of four individual tax
rates; town, county, school and state education.
For any given year, the Department of Revenue
Administration finalizes this rate in September or
October. Therefore, the first half tax bill
represents an estimate of your tax liability. Once
the rate is set, the second half tax bill is adjusted
to reflect this change in rate. It is also important
to note that property taxes are due each July P'
and December 1^'. Payments received subsequent
to these dates are subject to statutory interest
charges.
The Tax Collector's office is also responsible for all
motor vehicle registrations. We are continuing
with our online renewal process as a convenience
to our residents. Motor vehicle registrations can
be renewed online by visiting the town's website
and clicking the E-Reg license plate. Not only can
residents complete straight renewals online, but
they can also receive instant quotes for motor
vehicle state and town fees. Simply, fill in the
fields with the requested vehicle information and
E-Reg will calculate an estimate of the fees within
seconds.
For further information regarding tax collections
and/or motor vehicle registrations, including
frequently asked questions, please visit the Tax
Collector/MV Reg page, listed under Town Offices
on our website, www.bedfordnh.org
21
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
The Finance Department prepared its third
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
during 2007 for the 2006 calendar year. This
report combines the Town's audited financial
statements with a complete management analysis
of the Town's financial health as well as various
statistical tables, which provide valuable
information for the last ten years. This report
continues to meet the strict reporting standards of
the Government Finance Officers Association
(GFOA) and as such has received a Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for all three years of compilation, 2004,
2005 and 2006. It is our intent to continue with
this award program and submit our 2007 CAFR
once complete.
The staff in both the Finance and Tax Collection
offices, deserve my heartfelt thanks for all they
do. Each staff member has shown a commitment
and dedication to the Town that should make the
residents of this community proud.
The following schedules are preUminary based upon the
information available at the time of report printing. Final
schedules may be obtained in the Town's CAFR once our
financial audit is complete in the spring of 2008.
Treasurer's Report ■ Unaudited
Treasurer; Edith Schmidtchen
Assistant Treasurer^ Daniel Murphy
General Operating Fund
Balance January 1, 2007
Receipts:
Tax Collector
Town Offices
Interest Earned
Total Receipts:
Total Available;
Disbursements;
Town Charges
County
School District
Total Disbursements;
$13,264,373
63.203.5.36
3.656,022
484.979
67,344,537
$80,608,910
18,811.419
3,440,089
44,269,969
$66,521,477
Balance December 31, 2007
$14,087,433
Escrow Accounts Various Depositois
Balance January 1. 2007
Receipts
Disbursements
Interest Earned
$3,002,962
706,078
(1,931,373)
10.239
Tax Collector's Report ■ Unaudited
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007
Uncollected Taxes,
January 1, 2007:
Property Taxes
Current Use
Yield Taxes
Sewer Rents
Taxes Committed,
Fiscal Year 2007:
Property Taxes
Current Use
Yield Taxes
Sewer Rents
Overpayments;
Interest on
Delinquent Taxes:
Totals;
Collections During
Fiscal Year 2007:
Property Taxes
Current Use
Yield Taxes
Sewer Rents
Interest
Liens Executed
Overpayments
Abatements;
Property Taxes
Sewer
Uncollected Taxes,
December 31, 2007:
Property Taxes
Current Use
Yield Taxes
Sewer Rents
Totals:
58,619,062
151,660
4,488
724,222
58.775
135,144
$59,693,351
56,756,982
136,660
4,482
521,346
135,144
58,775
1,922
1.860.158
15.000
6
202,876
$59,693,351
1,457,632
23,095
4.526
218,589
$1,703,842
945,939
23,095
4,526
218,589
.348,848
$1,703,842
Summary of Tax Lien Accounts
Fiscal Year Ended December 31. 2007
2006
2005 2004 Prior
Unredeemed Liens
January 1, 2007
Liens Executed
In 2007 348,848
Collections During
Fiscal Year 2007 218,195
122,032 29,786
85,463 29,734
Unredeemed Liens
December 31. 2007 130,653
Balance December 31, 2007
$1,787,906
22
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
STATEMENT OF BONDED DEBT 12/31/07
Year
Principal
Interest
Total
Year
Principal
1992 Sewer Bonds (1998 refinance)
2008 150,000 37,812
2009 155,000 31,212
2010 165,000 24,238
2011 170,000 16,606
2012 175,000 8,531
Total $
815,000 $
118,399 $
1994 Public Safety Complex Bonds (2004 refinance)
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Total $
110.000
105,000
105,000
100,000
100,000
95,000
90,000
19,881
17,406
14,781
11,894
8,894
5,894
2,925
705,000 $
1995 Library Bond (2004 refinance)
2008
125,000
2009
125,000
2010
120,000
2011
120,000
2012
115,000
2013
115,000
2014
115,000
2015
110,000
2016
110.000
Total $
1,055,000
2001 Joppa Hill Land Purchase
2008 230,000
2009 230,000
2010 230,000
2011 230,000
Total $
920,000 $
81,675 $
32,581
28,988
25,150
21,700
18.031
14.150
10,125
6,119
2.063
158,907 $
38,410
29,210
19,780
10.005
97,405 $
187.812
186.212
189,238
186,606
183,531
933,399
129,881
122,406
119,781
111,894
108.894
100.894
92.925
786,675
157,581
153,988
145,150
141,700
133,031
129,150
125,125
116,119
112,063
1,213,907
268,410
259,210
249,780
240,005
1999 Landfill Closure Bond
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
100.000
100.000
100.000
100,000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
53,760
49,280
44,800
40,320
35,840
31,360
26,880
22.400
17,920
13,440
8,960
4,480
Total
153.760
149,280
144,800
140,320
135.840
131,360
126,880
122,400
117,920
113,440
108.960
104,480
Total
$
1,200,000
$
349,440
$
1,549,440
2003 Road Reconstruction Bond
2008
800,000
134,400
934,400
2009
800,000
113,000
913,000
2010
800,000
90,000
890,000
2011
800,000
65,000
865,000
2012
800,000
39,000
839,000
2013
800.000
13.000
813,000
Total
$
4,800,000
$
454,400
%
5,254,400
2005 Road Reconstruction Bond (issued 2006)
2008
1,200,000
426,000
1,626,000
2009
1,200,000
381,000
1,581,000
2010
1,200,000
336,000
1,536,000
2011
1,200,000
288.000
1,488,000
2012
1,200,000
240.000
1,440,000
2013
1,200,000
192,000
1,392,000
2014
1,200,000
144,000
1,344,000
2015
1,200.000
96,000
1,296,000
2016
1,200.000
48,000
1,248,000
Total
$
10,800,000
$
2,151,000
$
12,951,000
Grand Total Bonded Debt:
$
20,295,000
$
3,411,226
$
23,706,226
23
Town of Bedford NH- 2007 Annual Report
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Town Council
Town of Bedford, New Hampshire
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activi-
ties, the business-type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund
information of the Town of Bedford, New Hampshire, as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2006, which collectively comprise the Town's basic financial state-
ments as listed in the table of contents. These financial statements are the respon-
sibility of the Town of Bedford's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for
our opinions.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the
business-type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund
information of the Town of Bedford, as of December 31 , 2006, and the respective
changes in financial position and cash flows, where applicable, thereof and the
respective budgetary comparison for the General Fund for the year then ended in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
The management's discussion and analysis, appearing on the following pages, is
not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information
required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. We have applied
certain limited procedures, which consisted principally of inquiries of management
regarding the methods of measurement and presentation of the required supple-
AcMirioiKil ( )//ii.v5
A.u/..ic-r I A • (iuvn/a-W. MA • Ethuorih. Mt • MondioMt.. Nl I
24
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
mentary information. However, we did not audit the information and express no
opinion on it.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements
that collectively comprise the Town of Bedford, New Hampshire's basic financial
statements. The introductory section, supplementary statements and schedules,
and statistical tables are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not
a required part of the basic financial statements. The supplementary statements
and schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit
of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The intro-
ductory section and statistical tables have not been subjected to the auditing pro-
cedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, accordingly, we
express no opinion on them.
'i^lAi^Cov^^^^ Upc^ ^ ^;2_^io.-.(- P-C,
Nashua, New Hampshire
February 28, 2007
25
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
TOWN OF BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Balance Sheet
Governmental Funds
December 31, 2006
ASSETS
Cash and short-term investments
Investments
Receivables:
Property taxes, net
Departmental and other
Intergovernmental
Due from other ftinds
Prepaid items
TOTAL ASSETS
General
Road
Reconstruction
Fund
Nonmajor
Governmental
Funds
Total
Governmental
Funds
$
21,905,293
2,000,000
$
10,971,641
$
3,698,014
$
36,574,948
2,000,000
1,544,816
213,351
115,209
237,843
26,016,512
33,907
46,581
11,083
$_
1,544,816
259,932
33,907
126,292
237,843
$_
$_
11,005,548
$_
3,755,678
40,777,738
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES
Liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Retainage payable
Deferred revenues
Tax refunds liability
Due to other funds
Due to other governments
Other liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
503,778 $
234,126
147,460 $
$
651,238
234,126
15,760
198.427
-
214,187
163,836
-
163,836
39,782
39,782
11,083
112,459
2,750
126,292
18,695,813
69
2,819
18,695,813
69
19,664,178
458,346
20,125,343
Fund Balances:
Reserved for:
Encumbrances
Prepaid items
Other purposes
Perpetual permanent fijnds
Unreserved:
Undesignated, reported in:
General fiand
Special revenue funds
Capital project funds
Permanent ftinds
451,587
237,843
1,303,849
4,359,055
3,415,738
7,131,464
TOTAL FUND BALANCES 6,352,334 _
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES $ 26,016,512 $
10,547,202
,1,005,548
-
3,867,325
-
237,843
-
1,303,849
25,255
25,255
.
4,359,055
3,726,329
3,726,329
7,131,464
1,275
1,275
3,752,859
20,652,395
3,755,678 $ 40,777,738
26
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Certificate of
Achievement
for Excellence
in Financial
Reporting
Presented to
Town of Bedford
New Hampshire
For its Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report
for the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2006
A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting is presented by the Government Finance Officera
Aasociation of the United States and Canada to
government unita and public employee retirement
systems whose comprehensive annual financial
reports (CAFRs) achieve the highest
standards in government accounting
and Hnancial reporting.
(0£~^ T. C3x
President
Executive Director
27
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Roger Grenier, Information Support Technician
Brian Davis, IT Manager
2007 saw another increase in the overall size of
the network, both in infrastructure and
computers. More and more employees are finding
the need for computers in their normal, daily
activities. There were an additional 5 computers
installed throughout the town providing access to
key town resources and applications for these
employees.
The Technology Replacement Program (TRP)
continues to be a critical component to the health
and stability of the town's network resources. By
identifying a life cycle for each component on the
network, the IT department has been successful
in keeping the town's resources up to date with a
commitment from the Town Council to provide the
funding necessary. The final steps of the TRP
began in 2007 with the Business Impact Analysis
plan. The BIA plan started in 2007 with the
identification of critical resources on the town's
network. Further steps in the coming year will
categorize these resources to include a calculated
impact of loss for each should a loss occur.
A town wide desktop management
software/hardware solution was purchased to
better facilitate the increase in desktop support
needed as the network grows. This system will
allow deployment of network resources and
applications to all town computers via an
administrative control panel that will
significantly decrease the amount of time that
would be spent on helpdesk type activities. As
well, new computers requiring software
installations will nearly be automatic providing
another increase in time to deploy.
In public safety, an outdated server was replaced,
providing improved communication and access to
data. As part of this upgrade, the old
communication methods to access key data used
by police officers in their vehicles was upgraded to
a secured, Verizon Wireless mobile data network.
This proved to be faster and more reliable than
methods used in the past.
Pictometry, a state of the art aerial photography
information system was purchased and installed
in a test environment. This new view of the entire
town in high resolution images will allow
departments like Planning, Public Works and
others to better assess community impact to
developments around town by visually comparing
before and after results. In the future. Police and
Fire will be able to use this tool to plan for major
events, review tactics use in certain events and to
plan for disasters.
Spam became a very large nuisance and time
waster for the town in 2007. Spam and viruses
were in the increase and some users were getting
upwards of 50 spam messages a day. IT
researched many different solutions to combat
this growing problem. In the middle of June, 2007
a new Barracuda Networks Spam Firewall was
purchase and installed to help combat this
growing problem. Since its installation, over 3
million emails have been scanned and a
staggering 96% were blocked for being spam. In
addition, a further 2% were tagged as possible
spam allowing for quick dismissal should they be,
in fact, spam.
In 2007, the town's website was rated one of the
best in the area for simplicity and information.
We look forward to further improving its form and
function in the coming year.
PLANNING BOARD
Paul Goldberg, Chairman
2007 proved to be a year of transition in the staff
associated with the Planning Board. The
members of the Planning Board said farewell to
Bedford's first Planning Director Karen White
who retired in August after 18 years of service to
the Town. Karen had professionally overseen
nearly two decades of extreme residential and
commercial growth throughout the community
and will be missed. The Chairman participated in
the selection process of hiring a new Planning
28
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Director early in the year. Rick Sawyer was hired
as the new Director and started in April. Cynthia
May was hired in July to fill the vacant Planner II
position. The Board welcomed the new Town
Manager Russ Marcoux as an ex-officio member
replacing former Manager Keith Hickey. All of
the new staff quickly showed the ability to provide
professional support to the Board.
2007 continued the recent trend of extremely
limited residential growth with only 11 new lots
being created with another 11 lots having been
approved but not recorded by years end. The 61
lot Preserve subdivision which was granted
comprehensive approval in 2006 was granted a
time extension and an alternative lot and roadway
configuration in 2007. Commercial applications
increased slightly from 2006 with a total of
216,863 square feet of new space being approved.
A proposed workout club and wellness center at
the intersection of Donald Street and Route 114
consumes 160,000 of the square feet approved in
2007.
Planning Board had a total of 96 agenda items in
2007. 13 conceptual reviews were completed for
many projects which are likely to submitted for
final review in 2008 including a Kohl's
Department Store and restaurant on Kilton Road,
a fast food and retail development on South River
Road and a mixed use development (160 elderly
housing units, 84 assisted living units & 75,000
square feet of commercial space) at the
intersection of Old Bedford Road and Route 101.
Numerous previously-approved projects applied
for extensions of time to complete conditions or
begin construction.
Statistics for 2007:
• 7 Site Plans = 216.863 square feet of new
commercial/industrial space
• 6 Change of Use Site Plans
• 6 Subdivision Plans = 22 new residential lots (11
recorded)
• 8 Lot Line Adjustment Plans
• 6 Home Occupation Permits
• 13 Conceptual reviews
• 50 Miscellaneous Items - minor plans, waivers, time
extensions, comprehensive plans, design reviews,
discussions, continued items and reports.
Major developments reviewed or approved
included:
• Workout Club & Wellness Center - 160,000 square feet on
Donald Street
• Bedford Self-Storage - 18,842 square foot expansion
• CVS - 14,839 square feet on South River Road
• Kohl's & Restaurant - Concept for 105,072 square feet on
Kilton Road
• Hawthorne-Bedford - Design review for 160 elderly
housing units. 84 assisted living units & 75,000 SF of
commercial space at the intersection of Old Bedford Road
and Route 101
• Unnamed Fast Food & Retail - Concept for 14,829 square
feet on South River Road
• Holiday Retirement - Design review for a 97-unit
congregate care facility on Meetinghouse Road
• Governor's View - Design review for a 13 lot subdivision
off of Pulpit Road
• Governor's Ridge - Design review for a 12 lot subdivision
off of Pulpit Road
PLANNING & ZONING DEPARTMENT
Rick Sawyer, AICP, Director
Personnel Changes
2007 was a year of significant change within the
Planning and Zoning Department. Karen White
retired in August after serving as Planning
Director for eighteen years. Karen was Bedford's
first professional planner and she was extremely
influential in maintaining Bedford's desirability
during two decades of unprecedented growth.
Rick Sawyer was hired in April as the new
Director and was able to work with Karen for four
months prior to her departure. Rick comes to
Bedford with 10 years of planning experience with
the City of Nashua, NH. In July Cynthia May
joined the Department as a Planner II replacing
long time resident and planner Nancy Larson who
had left in December of 2006 to become the
Planning and Zoning Administrator for the Town
of Merrimack. Cynthia is a registered Landscape
Architect who brings with her years of experience
in planning in the public and private sectors.
Karen Elmer. Planner I took on added
responsibility and additional night meetings to
help maintain the high level of service that the
Department provides to the boards, commissions
and citizens during this year of transition.
Development Trends
New commercial and residential applications to
the Planning Board remained similar to 2006
which continue be well below the levels seen
earlier in the decade. The decline in residential
development is partially attributed to the limited
supply of available land in Bedford coupled with
the nationwide downturn in the housing market.
The Planning Staff has been busy working with
several potential large developments including, a
Kohl's Department Store and restaurant on Kilton
29
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Road, a fast food and retail development on South
River Road and a mixed use development (160
elderly housing units, 84 assisted living units &
75,000 square feet of commercial space) at the
intersection of Old Bedford Road and Route 101.
The staff routinely fields questions from
developers who mostly represent nationally
known clients who want to be located in Bedford.
Several project started or continued construction
during 2007 including, CVS, Hannaford, Country
Inn & Suites, Bentley Commons and Bedford Self
Storage.
Transportation Planning
2007 was a year of unprecedented change in the
State of New Hampshire's Ten Year
Transportation Improvement Plan when
approximately two billion dollars worth of projects
were cut from the Plan including the proposed
widening of Route 101 from Old Bedford Road to
Wallace Road in Bedford. The State has also
made it clear that due to inflation in the
construction industry, a reduction in the gas tax
revenue and with an expected cut in federal aid in
2008 that many projects will only be able to be
completed with significant local funding or
changes in the DOT funding mechanism. The
Route 3 bridge over the F.E. Everett Turnpike
was also cut but was later restored when highway
toll prices were raised state wide. The Route 3
bridge is rapidly deteriorating and is priority
number 63 on the State's Red List. The State
began construction of the Airport Access Roadway
in July and it is expected to take approximately
three years to complete. Construction of the
Hardy/Jenkins Road and Route 101 signalized
intersection is expected to begin in late winter of
2008. The Planning Board adopted an updated
Route 3 Corridor Access Management Plan in
September.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Christopher Bandazian. Chairman
The Zoning Board of Adjustment conducts
hearings on applications for relief from land use
regulations. The most common types of
applications concern requests for:
1) Variance from use or dimensional requirements^
2) Special Exceptions;
3) Equitable Waiver from dimensional requirements:
and
4) Appeal from decisions of Administrative Officials.
Where there are unique or extenuating
circumstances, the Board of Adjustment provides
an avenue for relief from restrictions and for local
resolution of land use issues. The Board of
Adjustment can grant an application if the legal
requirements for relief are met. However, the
Board of Adjustment cannot grant relief if it
would be the equivalent of rezoning or amending a
zoning ordinance. After hearing evidence for or
against an application, the Board of Adjustment
deliberates and votes on all requests in public
session.
In 2007, the Board of Adjustment heard 30
applications for variances, 3 applications for
special exceptions, 1 application for an equitable
waiver and 1 administrative appeal. The majority
of the applications filed in 2007 were variance
applications for relief from lot line or wetland
setback requirements and special exception
applications for accessory apartments for family
members. The distribution of applications is
reflective of the maturing status of development
in Bedford. Of the applications decided in 2007, 28
were approved or approved in part, 5 were denied
or denied in part and 2 were dismissed or
withdrawn.
Members of the Board of Adjustment are
appointed by the Town Council. The Board of
Adjustment is comprised of 5 regular members,
one of whom also is a member of the Town
Council, and 3 alternate members, one of whom
also is a member of the Town Council. Karin
Elmer, a member of the Planning Department,
attends all ZBA meetings and provides
information to the Board.
Applications to request a hearing and the meeting
schedule of the Board of Adjustment (usually the
3""'' Tuesday of each month) are available at the
Town Offices and also are available online at the
Town website, www.bedfordnh.org. Completed
applications are due no later than 14 days prior to
the desired hearing date. The Zoning
Administrator handles all public inquiries
regarding zoning questions and assists
individuals with application procedures.
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANNING
David Preece, AICP, SNHPC Exec. Director
The Southern New Hampshire Planning
Commission has a wide range of services and
30
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
resources available to help dues-paying members
deal with a variety of municipal issues. Technical
assistance is provided by a professional staff
whose expertise is, when necessary, supplemented
by consultants who are selected for their
specialized skills or services. Each year, with the
approval of appointed representatives, the
Commission staff designs and carries out
programs of area-wide significance that are
mandated under New Hampshire and federal
laws or regulations, as well as local projects which
would pertain more exclusively to your
community.
Technical assistance is provided in a professional
and timely manner by staff at the request of the
Planning Board and/or Board of Selectmen. The
Commission conducts planning studies and
carries out projects that are of common interest
and benefit to all member communities, keeps
officials apprised of changes in planning and land
use regulation, and in conjunction with the New
Hampshire Municipal Association, offers training
workshops for Planning and Zoning Board
members on an annual basis.
Services that were performed for the Town of
Bedford during the past year are as follows:
1) Co-sponsored the Municipal Law Lecture Series, which
were attended by Bedford officials:
2) Conducted traffic counts at 40 locations in the Town of
Bedford and forwarded data to the Town's Planning
Director:
3) Coordinated Flexible Road Design Standards and
Amendments to Comprehensive Shoreland
Protection Act for SNHPC Planners' Roundtable
meetings, which were attended by Bedford officials:
4) Coordinated and facilitated region-wide Water Supply
Task Force meetings on May 19, 2007 and October 17.
2007, on the proposed Merrimack River Basin and
Groundwater Studies, which impact Bedford:
5) Facilitated a region-wide Brownfields Advisory
Committee meeting on October 30. 2007, which was
attended by Bedford officials:
6) Facilitated four Conservation Commission Institute
forums on the Wildlife Action Plan, Natural Services
Network, Open Space Plan, and Conservation
Easements:
7) Continued participation in the planning process for
proposed improvements at the NH 101/Hardy Road
intersection:
8) Participated in the review process for improvements
related to the new Bedford High School:
9) Sponsored three Planning Forums: Food Security and
Agricultural Sustainability on October 9, 2007: Energy
Sustainability on November 5. 2007: and Transit
Oriented Development (TOD) on April 19, 2007:
10) Hosted New Zoning Board Member Training on
February 29, 2007, which was attended by Bedford
officials:
11) Adopted, printed, and distributed copies of the
Regional Comprehensive Plan to Bedford officials:
12) Prepared and distributed a Community Planning
Assessment of the Town's policies and regulations to
the Bedford Planning Board as part of the CTAP
project:
13) Hosted a Legislation Open House in Concord for
Legislative officials on March 20, 2007:
14) Digitized land use based on 2005 orthophotography
into a CIS database for all of the SNHPC
communities: and
15) Participated in regional economic development
discussions with the Greater Manchester Chamber of
Commerce regarding Metro Center, which was
attended by Bedford officials:
16) Coordinated review process for proposed developments
of regional impact affecting the Town.
Bedford's Representatives to the Commission
David J. Danielson
Edward P. Moran, Jr.
Harold Newberry
Lori Radke - Alt.
Michael Izbicki - Alt.
Bedford's Executive Committee Member
David J. Danielson
CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Doris Peck Spurway, Secretary
The Board of Trustees, Donald Folsom, Chairman,
Ralph Dieter, and Howard Frizzell held four (4)
meetings during 2007.
Lot sales included 9, of which 1 was a 4-place lot;
7 were two-place lots and one was a single lot
totaling $10,800. Total burials were 22: 10
cremations and 12 full burials. Other transactions
included three transfers and/or replacements. A
new three-year contract for cemetery maintenance
was signed this year with Einstein's Inc., a
company located in Townsend, MA.
The trustees care for three other small cemeteries
in town; Joppa Hill, Beals Rd. and Back River Rd.
All fall under the category "historic" due to their
original opening dates. The "Walker Monument",
a historic site on Station Rd. is also maintained by
the trustees.
For any information regarding rules and
operation of these cemeteries, please contact one
of the trustees.
31
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECKLIST
Benita Diamond, Chairperson
Joan McMahan, Elaine Tefft
As of December 2007, the voting Hst recorded
3,043 Democrats 6,705 Repubhcans and 5,016
Undeclared, for a total of 14,764 registered voters.
Before each election the Supervisors of the
Checklist hold evening and Saturday sessions for
registration of new voters, as well as corrections
to the checklist. These sessions are posted in the
Town Office and the Library, and published in
local newspapers. Residents may also register,
correct or change their party at the Town Offices
during regular office hours. Eligible residents are
also allowed to register at the polls on voting days.
The Supervisors wish to thank Wanda Jenkins,
Town Clerk, and her staff for handling the
majority of registrations.
BEDFORD VILLAGE COMMON COMMITTEE
The Bedford Village Common is town-owned land
situated south of the Bedford Library and
bordered by Bell Hill Road, Route 101, and
Meetinghouse Road. The 9.44-acre parcel lies
within the Historic District. During 2007, the
Bedford Village Common Committee (BVCC) gave
presentations before the Historic District
Commission, Conservation Commission, Highway
Safety Committee, Parks & Recreation
Commission, Planning Board, and Town Council
to explain the various components of the master
plan and site plan, to gather recommendations,
and to gain approval of the plan. In November, a
Dredge & Fill Application was submitted to the
Department of Environmental Services along with
a proposed Conservation Easement as required by
wetland impact regulations. A model of the
proposed Common, created by Kelley Comeau of
TF Moran, is currently on display at the Bedford
Library.
In Spring 2008, the Committee hopes to move
forward with the installation of a fence along
Route 101 to signify the boundaries of the
Common and to organize a private fund-raising
appeal to fund further development of the various
components of the plan.
The BVCC is a Town Council appointed
committee consisting of Beverly Thomas (Chair),
Jayne Spaulding (Vice-Chr.), Jeanene Procopis
(Sec), Kristin Desmarais, Mervyn Taub, and Tom
Riley. Town Representatives are Michael Scanlon
(Town Council), Kevin Keyes (Town Council
Alternate), and Cynthia May (Planning
Department). Anne Cruess of TF Moran donates
her consulting services to the group. The BVCC
remains committed to providing volunteer
assistance to the Town Council and Parks &
Recreation Commission with the goal of
developing a town common for the benefit of the
citizens of our community.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
The Historic District Commission met for 11
regular meetings during 2007, and once for a site
walk. A total of 22 applications were filed and
heard. The Commission approved 6 commercial
signs, 10 residential renovations, 4 landscape
changes, and one above ground pool in the
Historic District. There were no applications for
new commercial buildings or renovations, nor
were there any applications for new residential
buildings.
Throughout the year, the Historic District
Commission updated various components of the
application in their continued effort to improve
the Historic District review process. In January,
the Commission approved a revised application
form. During March, all property owners within
the Historic District were mailed post cards
informing them that the Historic District
regulations had been recently updated. During
the November meeting, the Commission accepted
a redesigned Certificate of Approval/Notice of
Disapproval.
The Historic District Commission continued to
identify properties within the Historic District
where possible violations of the regulations had
been observed. These areas of concern were
brought to the attention of the Zoning Department
for follow-up.
There was an announcement that the Bedford
Presbyterian Church received notification of
designation to the National Register of Historic
Places on June 12, 2007. At the June meeting,
the Commission also heard a presentation from
32
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
the Bedford Village Common Committee for a
discussion of the proposed park at the intersection
of Route 101 and Bell Hill Road. In August, Town
Councilor Bill Jean introduced Cynthia A. May, as
the new Planner II and staff person serving the
Historic District Commission.
Gregor Zimmermann continued to serve as
Chairperson of the Historic District Commission
through the entire year. Town Councilor Normand
Longval served as the Council Representative
through March, at which time Paul Roy was
appointed to that seat. Greg Zimmermann and
Bill Jean were re-elected to the Chair and Vice
Chair positions in June. After the Town Council
vacancy was filled in August, Bill Jean stepped
down as Vice Chairperson for the Historic District
Commission to become the Town Council
Representative for the remainder of that term
(through March 2008), and Councilor Roy moved
to fill the Town Council Alternate position.
Beverly Thomas was elected by the Commission to
become the new Vice Chairperson. As for other
Commission members, Andrew Noyes was re-
appointed as an Alternate Commission member to
a 3 year term. Laura O'Donnell was appointed as
an Alternate Commission member, filling the 3
year position that has been vacant for a few years.
Pamela Weeks-Dorji was also appointed as new
Alternate Commission member in April for a one
year term as a replacement for Timmie Maine
Miller, who resigned earlier in the year due to
scheduling and time constraints. Debbie Sklar
served as a regular member, representing the
Planning Board. Karen McGinley had been
appointed as the Planning Board Alternate, but
stepped down from that position due to scheduling
conflicts later in the year, and that position has
remained open.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
William H. Ingalls, Assessor
During the 2007 year, after including construction
finished in 2007 that began in 2006, as well as
any projects that began in early 2007, the Town of
Bedford experienced a net growth of 1.3%. This is
the slowest rate of growth Bedford experienced in
many years; attributable to both a slowdown of
the residential real estate market, and that
several commercial projects simply have not
begun construction yet or are at this time only
partially completed.
Residential
Com/Ind
Utilities
Exempt
Total
$2,609,047,400
$490,317,800
$31,484,600
$88.243.978
$3,219,093,778
Property tax exemptions and credits totaled
$13,124,807; during 2007, the Bedford Town
Council voted to increase the Veteran's Tax Credit
to $500 from $100, the Surviving Spouse Tax
Credit to $2000 from $1400, the Service
Connected Total and Permanent Disability Credit
to $2000 from $1400, the 65-74 Senior Tax
Exemption to $76,350 from $25,000, the 75-79
Senior Tax Exemption to $81,350 from $30,000,
and the Senior Tax Exemption for those 80 years
of age and older to $120,000 from $52,000.
The total assessed value of any property-
residential, commercial, or exempt not completed
by April 1, 2007, will not be reflected in the above
listed amounts; total assessed values reflect the
state of completion and physical condition of all
property as of April 1. The total assessed value of
all property completed after April 1, 2007 will be
included in the numbers for 2008.
The total number of property conveyances in
Bedford as reported by the New Hampshire
Department of Revenue Administration was 536;
this is only two (2) less than in 2006.
We have all seen and heard for over a year now,
about the sub prime adjustable rate mortgage
situation, the foreclosures that have resulted, and
how market values are plummeting across the
country. Here in New Hampshire, we are
weathering the storm better than most of the rest
of the country. Information from several real
estate trade journals indicates while things can
always be better, they could also easily be a lot
worse. Over the past year, real estate values
across New Hampshire have declined an average
of only 5%; in many areas they really haven't
declined at all. In New Hampshire just under 30%
of all residential improved property has no
mortgage balance. Across the state foreclosures
represent .44 of one percent of residential
properties with mortgages. During the worst time
most of us can remember, 1993, foreclosures
represented .80 of one percent of such properties.
33
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Foreclosures are predicted to peak mid 2008, and
things are predicted to improve once the dust
settles. In Bedford, during the period used by the
Department of Revenue Administration to
determine our assessment to sale ratio each year
(October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007) it
appears residential real estate declined only 2.2%
overall. However, as is the case across the state,
many areas in town have not declined at all; 86%
of residential homes sold this period sold for more
than their assessed value - only 14% sold either
at or below their assessed value. So yes things
have slowed some, but it is not catastrophic and
there is no wholesale sell off of houses here in
town; we are seeing fewer sales at the moment but
the prices are not dropping as much as they are
elsewhere.
As of December 31, 2007, the classification or
specific property types are as follows^
Single Family Residence
Residential Multi Family
Residential Vacant
Residential Mobile Home
Residential Condominiums
Commercial/Industrial Improved
Commercial/Industrial Vacant
Exempt
Utilities
Total
6164
45
463
6
610
522
43
253
28
8,134
The Assessor's Office is continuing with the
ongoing data re-verification and inspection
program for the valuation update presently
scheduled for 2008. In order to satisfy the "value
anew at least once every five years" requirement
of the State Constitution, this office will
continuously re-verify and re-inspect properties
throughout each year. Physical property
characteristics either missed or changed will be
added or removed from properties (if you've filled
in a pool or torn down a shed let us know about
it); this way, we can put off the majority of the
cost of another revaluation and still use the most
up to date information as possible. We ask and
thank you for your continued cooperation and
assistance in this important process.
A public access computer terminal is available in
the assessing lobby along with tax maps for
property research. Copies of records are available
for a nominal fee. Assessment information can be
accessed online at www.visionappraisal.com, and
maps/abutters lists for individual lots are
available at www.mapsonline.net. Assessing office
hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM
through 4:30 PM.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Mervyn Taub, Chairman
The slow-down in applications was very apparent
as the year progressed. This year we
recommended 8 applications against 18 in 2006,
and 13 in 2005. These requests for dredge and fill
permits, totaled 3 1/3 acres (144,748 sq. ft.) of
which over 56.340 sq. ft. were for the Town or
School Board projects. There were 2 mitigation
offerings; one for 7.63 acres from the School
Board, which will be put into permanent
conservation with the Bedford Land Trust as the
grantee of the easement: the other, which is still
being finalized, will put 83 acres into permanent
conservation on lands abutting the Pulpit Rock
Conservation Area. This is a very valuable
addition to the Town's premier conservation
property, and will considerably enhance its
recreation and conservation possibilities. The
report of the Pulpit Rock Sub-committee is below.
We were very sorry to lose Kermit Zerr as a
commission member and also as the chair of the
sub-committee on the wetlands. We thank him for
his counsel and service and wish him well. The
chair of the wetlands sub-committee has been
assumed by Karen Simmons, whose efforts are
much appreciated. Their report is below.
I would like to express my thanks to the
Commission members, particularly the Vice-
Chair, Glenn Boston who has ably deputized for
me on several occasions, and the other members,
Karen Simmons, David Brown, Anthony Clark
and Landy Labonte, and the representatives from
the Town Council and the Planning Board.
Finally, our thanks to Karen Elmer, Planner, who
is a tireless assistant and endless provider of
answers to complex questions.
Wetlands Subcommittee
The Wetlands Subcommittee was established with
approval from the Town Council in the summer of
2007. The goal of the Subcommittee is to explore
ways to encourage people to care for wetlands and
34
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
respect wetlands buffers. The Subcommittee was
chaired by Conservation Commission member
Kermit Zerr. The other representative from the
Commission is Karen Simmons. Members from
the pubhc are Richard Moore, Mark DellOrfano,
George Drewett and Kathleen Bemiss.
Unfortunately, due to health concerns Kermit has
stepped down. Karen Simmons is now chairing
the Subcommittee, with David Brown from the
Conservation Commission taking her place.
The group is educating itself about wetlands and
buffers, and several members attended a seminar
presented by the Southern New Hampshire
Regional Planning Commission. In an effort to
share this knowledge with others, the
Subcommittee plans to hold an education session
for the public, lead by experts in the field. Several
other endeavors are being discussed.
Pulpit Rock Subcommittee
The Pulpit Rock Subcommittee of the
Conservation Commission is charged with
overseeing and managing Bedford's Pulpit Rock
Conservation Area and invites you to visit your
conservation area. It is a great choice when you
are looking for a hike that is close to home, with
over 3 V2 miles of moderate to difficult trails.
Pulpit Rock committee members include Richard
Moore, Bill Ewing, Peter Delano, Clark Gott, Ray
Landry, Doug Pryce, Eric Soederberg. and
Conservation Commission Representative,
Anthony Clark. Our thanks are extended to those
who have helped out in past years at the Pulpit
for our annual workdays and we would welcome
your help. This year promises to be a busy one
with the possibility of additional trails being
developed. The Pulpit Rock workday will be
scheduled for some weekend in late April or early
May. Please check the Bedford newspapers in
April for the date.
BEDFORD PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT AND COMMISSION
Don Foster - Chairman
The Bedford Parks & Recreation Department is
dedicated to providing the diverse needs of a
growing population with a variety of recreational,
social and cultural activities and is responsible for
preserving and maintaining the parks and the
recreation facilities that the Town has to offer its
residents.
A number of special projects should be highlighted
in the 2007 annual report including the numerous
opportunities to promote public/private
partnerships with the reconstruction and the
addition of lights to the Legacy Multipurpose field
off New Boston Road, the addition of lights and
new backboards at the Legacy Basketball Court
sponsored by the Bedford Basketball League, and
the bathroom addition to the Warming Hut by the
Bedford Cross Country Ski Club as well as area
business and community sponsors. The largest
project the Department handled was the Ann
DeNicola Memorial Playground (aka Timber Town
Playground), which included a fantastic Volunteer
Build Day during the month of June. There are a
number of people that the Department and
Commission would like to say thank you to
including Chairman Michelle Casale and the
Playground Subcommittee who spent numerous
hours researching equipment vendors, picking out
equipment and ending with the 70+ volunteers
who helped on "Build Day". We would like to say
thank you to our community and the local
businesses and service groups, along with the
families and volunteers who, in 2007 generously
supported the rebuilding of the Bedford
Community Playground. Your help and donations
have given so many children a cherished place to
play and thrive. The corporate sponsors included
the Town of Bedford, Bedford Friends of
Recreation, Ann DeNicola Trust, Home Doctors
Park Pediatrics, Fences Unlimited, Home
Depot/KaBoom!, L.Newman Associates/Paul
Mansback, Inc, Liberty Hill Construction, LLC,
Manchester Redimix Concrete, Inc, Pediatric
Health Associates, Rotary Club of Bedford,
Spatial Construction, Harvey's Concrete Floor
Company, HNH foundation, Bedford Lions Club,
Bedford Men's Club, Eckman Construction, The
Shottes Family, Keach-Nordstrom Engineering,
Pro-Scape, R.E. Jenkins Construction and
Meridian Land Services who helped make the new
playground possible.
It was another ongoing year for this Department
with the continuing project of the Bedford Village
Common. As the Town continues to grow in
population, many residents are looking for a
common Town Center to hold a variety of
recreational, social and cultural activities. Beverly
35
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Thomas chairs the Bedford Village Common
Committee, and they have come up with a master
plan layout and a model that is available for
residents to view at the Bedford Library.
The Recreation Department has met many new
challenges during this year of transition with its
director on extended military leave and then his
resignation in November. Staffing levels continue
to be a challenge within the department and as
such a re-organization is anticipated for 2008.
The Recreation Department was proud to be able
to offer another summer of fun filled Tuesday
night "Family Cultural Series". These concerts
are held outdoors at the Performance Stage and
with the musical entertainment of "T-Bone" and
"Johnny the K Show" and the famous "Wayne
From Maine" over 200 families were in attendance
on a weekly basis. The Department would like to
thank our extra set of hands, which includes
Sherry Charkin and the Coalition of Bedford
Youth group. This was another great year.
Another area that the Recreation Department and
the Recreation Commission focused on for the
2007-year is addressing the adult and senior
citizens population of the Town. Along with the
Bedford Adult & Senior Connections, the
Recreation Department and Recreation
Commission we were able to provide activities
focused around the older age group in Town.
Bedford Connections, a Town Council sanctioned
subcommittee, sponsored a "New" summertime
activity known as the Adult Summer Concert
Series in both July and August. These concerts,
which were all well attended, had musical
entertainment from Bedford resident, Paul
Bordeleau and his "Young At Heart" sextet group
sponsored by Hillcrest Terrace. They performed
one sunny Monday afternoon at the Performance
Stage to demonstrate their keyboarding skills. As
Paul would say, these "Young at Heart" ladies are
truly special and range in age from 73 to 93,
proving that "you are never too old to learn
something new". They all have been participants
in a program that Mr. Bordeleau developed that
are available through the Parks & Recreation
Department known as "Elder Musik". The second
Adult Summer Concert presented the "Amoskeag
Strummers", and this was also combined as a
"Meet & Greet" with the newly hired Town
Manager, Russell Marcoux. This program was
more of 20s-50s type of music group that help the
adults and seniors in Town entertain the
afternoon away.
In 2007, local groups and political organizations
sponsored political candidates like, Chris Dodd,
Rudy Giuliani and John McCain who all used the
Town Hall facility for campaign stops. As well,
Michele Obama who came to enlighten the
Bedford residents for an olde fashion Town Hall
Meeting.
In December activities included intergenerational
programs from the Recreation Department
including Holiday Cooking classes for youngsters
ages 6-12, Adult and Senior "Brown Bag Lunch
Workshops" with a Genealogy program, "Dare to
Write", and Bedford resident Mary Lou Wilson
"Party Like A Pro", as well as an Adult Winter
Concert by "Bow Junction", a bluegrass group
from the Concord area. To round out the year the
Department teamed up with the Bedford
Presbyterian Church to hold the Annual Living
Nativity and Holiday Reception sponsored by the
Town Councilors. This year helping to serve the
residents of Bedford were Councilor Michael
Scanlon and his wife, Anne Scanlon and Councilor
Paul Roy.
BEDFORD COMMUNITY TELEVISION (BCTV)
Bill Jennings, Station Manager
Coleen Richardson, Assistant Station Manager
BCTV Board Chairman, Gene Mackie
This years BCTV annual submission is dedicated
to one of our station volunteers who pasted away
this year; Rich Beyer. Rich started volunteering
at BCTV in 1998. He was the host of Bedford All-
Sports, Athlete of the Week and Just My Opinion.
His commitment and dedication to promoting
youth sports through community access television
helped to bring the Bedford sports community
closer together. Many of the student athletes that
he interviewed from the various public and
private schools that our Bedford youths attend,
remember him fondly as a great sports enthusiast,
a professional interviewer and a man that was
sincerely interested in their sports and academic
success. We will all miss Rich Beyer. His spirit
will continue to live on at BCTV and he will
always be remembered by those close to him as
36
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Beport
"That Sports Guy", who helped to pioneer sports
broadcasting on BCTV.
organization can have their notices posted.
is a non-commercial station.
BCTV
Bich Beyer
Bedford Community Television (BCTV) is the
Town's local Public, Education and Government
access community television station. BCTV has
two channels. Channel 16 is for public and
education programming and Channel 22 is for
Government programming.
Channel 22 is dedicated to government
programming. All town government meetings are
broadcast live on Channel 22. School Board
meetings are also broadcast on Channel 22, but
will occasionally move to Channel 16 when there
is a schedule conflict with live town government
programming. Over 150 government and school
board meetings were broadcast live on Channel 22
and Channel 16 in 2007. Every live meeting is
then rebroadcast on Channel 22 the following
week. In 2007 BCTV had the capability to
broadcast Hve from the BCTV Town Meeting
Room; the SAU; and McKelvie Middle School.
The high school will replace McKelvie School for
large general assembly meeting broadcasts in
2008.
Programming schedules are updated weekly and
published in both Bedford newspapers as well as
on the BCTV website. '"' "-"-'
www.bedfordtv.com
The BCTV website is
The station's mission is to provide a forum for
access to, and awareness of, public, education, and
government community information. Use of the
BCTV channels and facilities are free of charge to
community members and non-profit organizations
residing in Bedford.
The station also runs a community bulletin board
for public service announcements. Any non-profit
The station exists as part of a standard
contractual arrangement between the town and
the local cable service provider, Comcast. Cable
franchise fees collected from cable subscribers by
Comcast fund the operation of the station. The
station is not funded by tax dollars.
BCTV is governed by a Board of Overseers which
is made up of residents and a representative from
the town council, and the school board. The board
is responsible for establishing polices and
procedures for the station. The station has two
full time staff personnel and six part time
government and school board videographers.
BCTV encourages residents to get involved with
the station by volunteering as producers,
directors, camera talent, editors, or hosts of their
own shows. Training is available from station
personnel for anyone interested in learning about
the "television business". In 2007, BCTV
volunteers and staff produced many programs
that covered an array of subjects. One program
that received special recognition was produced by
The Bedford Presbyterian Church. The BPC
received a major award for their first place finish
in the professional religious category for their
program, "By You Bound- Hurricane Katrina
Mission" from the Alliance for Community Media
- Northeast Region. The ACM-NE is a community
television media organization whose members
include pubic access television stations from New
England and New York. Producer Eric Wittenberg
from the Bedford Presbyterian accepted the award
on behalf of the church and BCTV.
The station, as part of its responsibility to support
educational programming and broadcast services
to the school system, worked closely with school
administrators this year in preparation of the
middle/high school opening in September, 2007.
BCTV is providing funding for equipment and
technical support which will allow for broadcast
coverage of school events and town/school public
hearings from the high school theater. Three wall
mounted robotic cameras were installed along
with additional broadcasting hardware in the
theater control room to insure full meeting
coverage.
37
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
BCTV also provided funding for Apple IMac and
MacPro Workstations, Video Servers, and IMovie
and Video Editing software to support a new high
school video lab. Additionally the BCTV station
will be used as an extension of the classroom. It
is anticipated that our student volunteer base will
increase as a result of our planned working
arrangement between the high school and BCTV.
This year the station continued to upgrade and
improve its broadcasting capabilities. A 1.2 Tb
Video Server was added to replace individual
DVD players for more reliable programming
playback and scheduling flexibility. Additional
graphics units were added to provide better
broadcast graphics and allow for outside
community access. Authorized town and school
personnel now have remote access capability to
provide emergency and general informational
public service bulletins and crawls.
BCTV Board Chairman Comments
As Chairman of the Board of Overseers, I'd like to
take this opportunity to thank BCTV's Station
Manager, Bill Jennings and Assistant Station
Manager, Coleen Richardson, all the volunteers
who produce the programming cablecast on our
two channels, and my fellow members of the
BCTV Board. I want to especially thank former
Board members Anne Scanlon, Chuck Grau, Ellen
McAvoy, Bill Van Anglen and Michael Scanlon for
their outstanding service, and welcome new board
members Dick Rawlings, Mike Robinson, and
Michael Sills. In addition I would like to thank
our other BCTV board members for their support.
Bob Thomas, Mary Lou Wilson, and Lauren
Horton. I would also like to welcome Mike Izbicki
and Bill Jean as our town council liaisons to the
BCTV Board and Terry Wolf the school board
liaison. Their support was invaluable to the board
in 2007 and I look forward to working with them
in 2008. Town residents can be very proud of its
PEG Access station, its staff and volunteers who
are the life blood of Bedford Community
Television.
Please remember that Bedford Community
Television (BCTV) is YOUR community access
television station. Call us to learn more about
how you can get involved with BCTV. Contact
Station Manager, Bill Jennings, or Assistant
Station Manager Coleen Richardson, by calling
472-8288 or signing on to the BCTV website at
www.bedfordtv.com
BEDFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
David C. Bailev, Pohce Chief
Left to right: Lt. Dave Davison. Capt. Dan Douidi.
Sgt. Devon Kimball. Lt. Rob Gagliardi. Chief David Bailey
In 2007 more changes were made in the police
department. Dan Douidi was promoted to
Captain, making him commander of the patrol
division and 2nd in charge of the department. Rob
Gagliardi was promoted to administrative
Lieutenant, in charge of communications and
training. Lt. Dave Davison remains in charge of
the investigative division. We also added a school
resource officer, giving us one in the new high
school and one in the Ross Lurgio Middle School,
plus one new officer for the street and one new
dispatchers position. All these new positions were
recommendations of the MRI study and approved
by the Town Council and the voters of Bedford at
the annual budgetary town meeting. I thank all
for their support in these endeavors and I feel
very strongly that we need to continue to follow
the recommendations of the report to catch up
from the past and to prepare for the future.
The high school is now open with freshman and
sophomores with the two other grades in follow in
the next two years. It is a new experience for us
and it is going very well. The two school resource
officers and the department as a whole enjoys the
support of the school administration and the staff.
As a team we are all dealing with the issues that
come with every high school in making it a safe
and secure place for our students.
38
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Motor vehicle accidents in 2007 decreased by
almost 12% in 2007, due partially to the mild
winter and our aggressive, but fair traffic
enforcement. We stopped 725 more cars, issuing
383 more warnings and 342 more summonses.
The highest volume of complaints we receive were
speeding cars in neighborhoods and red light
violators. We continue to run directed patrols
targeting those violations and others. Fortunately
we investigated no fatal accidents in Bedford this
year, however State Police did investigate two on
the turnpike, both in the area of Macy's.
Bedford continues to grow, although the pace has
slowed somewhat, giving us time to catch up. Our
job remains keeping Bedford a safe place to live.
We do this in partnership with the other town
departments, the Council and the citizens of
Bedford who cooperate in being extra eyes and
ears for us and more importantly, the ones who
pay the bill. Those who know me, know I never
forget that.
I want to finally thank my staff, from the newest
patrolman to my command staff and the civilians
who work for the department. I think we have
one of the finest, most dedicated staffs in the
State of New Hampshire.
Bedl'ord Police Ot'ticei:- :it the L'iHl7 Torch Run
to benefit Special Olympics m \'H
Bedford Police Department - 2007 Annual Statistics
Incidents 20,356
Abandoned Vehicles
Accidents
Investigated
Fatal
Property Damage
Injury
Other
34
1252
1251
0
1171
79
Alarms Answered
2201
Arrests
Adult
530
Juvenile
117
MV Summons Issued
1910
MV Warnings Issued
5817
Parking Tickets Issued
176
Assaults
41
Assist Fii-e
168
Assist Other PD
256
Bomb Threat
3
Assist Utilities
88
Animal Complaints
367
Burglary
39
Civil
72
Disorderly
296
Dog Complaints
639
Drugs
13
Family Offense Calls
242
Found Pi-opeit>'
100
Fraud/Counterfeit
83
Gun Complaints
22
Harassment Incidents
40
Highway Conditions
381
Homicide
0
Internet Crime
12
littei-ing Complaints
19
MV Complaints
753
Phone Call Complaints
82
Lost Property
92
Rescue Assists
771
Robberies
1
Service Calls
572
Sex Offenses
28
Suicide
1
Sudden Deaths
10
Suspicious PersonA'ehicle
870
Thefts
321
Town Oi-dinanc-e Violations
150
Vandalism
181
BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
Scott A. Wiggin, Fire Chief
This past year has been very rewarding with the
increase in staffing. We hired the Fire
Department's first Fire Inspector hired, John
Powers came onboard in January and has worked
with the Shifts on follow up inspections of
businesses, commercial properties, outside
burning permits, day care and foster care
inspections and places of assembly.
In June we had three new firefighters start that
were subsidized through the FEMA Fire Grant
Program under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. This is a
39
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
five-year pro-rated program that provides us
federal financial assistance. The three
Firefighters are Corey Fecteau FF/EMT-I, David
Sherwood FF/EMT-P, and Jason Shelton
FF/EMT-I. This gives the community six
personnel on duty 24/7 when we are at full staff.
This past year we received the highest number of
calls for service in the department's history. While
we experienced a slight reduction in overall fire
related calls, an increase in medical services has
kept the emergency crews very busy. This past
spring there was a period of elevated fire danger
several days of Red Flag Warnings, which means
conditions are at a dangerous level for wildland
fires to spread very rapidly. During this time we
experienced several small fires but responded to
several larger scaled events in our neighboring
communities.
Also this past year the Bedford Fire Department
hosted its first Citizens Fire Academy. This
program was a six-week course attended by 16
Citizens under the direction of Captain Mark
Klose. This gave the citizens an in-depth and
hands on experience of the Bedford Fire
Department, from firefighter training and
requirements, equipment familiarization, they
earned a CPR Certification, vehicle extrication,
live fire extinguisher training and live practical
evolutions in a smoke filled environment. The
response by all participants was very positive and
constructive.
Participants of the Citizens Fire Academy
A reminder to all citizens that the law requires a
written fire permit anytime the ground is not
covered with snow. Also, any portable fireplaces,
which means devices such as chimineas, steel fire
pits, and any devices designed to burn permissible
combustible materials other than gas or charcoal
are required to have a written permit. The fire
department will conduct a site visit and assess the
installation and use, and if deemed appropriate a
seasonal permit may be issued.
I would like to thank the general public for all of
their support through donations and letters of
appreciation that we have received over the past
year.
2007 FIRE DEPT. STATISTICS
2007
2006
Fire Calls
538
549
Ambulance
1287
1217
Miscellaneous
Service Calls
157
156
Field Inspections
664
536
Plan Review
49
51
Burning Permits
633
729
Blasting Permits
23
15
Subtotal Miscellaneous
1526
1487
Total Service Provided
3351
3253
REPORT OF FOREST FIRE WARDEN AND
STATE FOREST RANGER
Your local Forest Fire Warden, Fire Department,
and the State of New Hampshire Division of
Forests & Lands work collaboratively to reduce
the risk and frequency of wildland fires in New
Hampshire. To help us assist you, please contact
your local Forest Fire Warden or Fire Department
to determine if a permit is required before doing
ANY outside burning. Under State law (RSA
227L:17) a fire permit is required for all outside
burning unless the ground is completely covered
with snow. The New Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services also prohibits the open
burning of household waste. Citizens are
encouraged to contact the local fire department or
DES at 1-800-498-6868 or www.des.state.nh.us for
more information. Safe open burning requires
diligence and responsibility. Help us to protect
New Hampshire's forest resources. For more
information please contact the Division of Forests
& Lands at (603) 271-2214,
or online at www.nhdfl.org.
Fire activity was very busy during the spring of
the 2007, particularly late April into early May.
As the forests and fields greened up in later May
the fire danger decreased. However, a very dry
40
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
late summer created very high fire danger again
from August into September, with fire danger
reaching very high on Labor Day weekend. Even
with the dry conditions, the acreage burned was
less than half that of 2006. The largest forest fire
during the 2007 season burned approximately 26
acres on the side of Wantastiquet Mountain in
Chesterfield during the month of May. Our
statewide system of 16 fire lookout towers is
credited with keeping most fires small and saving
several structures this season due to their quick
and accurate spotting capabilities. Many homes in
New Hampshire are located in the wildland urban
interface, which is the area where homes and
flammable wildland fuels intermix. Several of the
fires during the 2007 season threatened
structures, a constant reminder that forest fires
burn more than just trees. Homeowners should
take measures to prevent a wildland fire from
spreading to their home. Precautions include
keeping your roof and gutters clear of leaves and
pine needles, and maintaining adequate green
space around your home free of flammable
materials. Additional information and homeowner
recommendations are available at
www.firewise.org. Please help Smokey Bear, your
local fire department and the state's Forest
Rangers by being fire wise and fire safe!
2007 FIRE STATISTICS
(All fires Reported through November 8, 2007)
(excluding fires in the White Mtn. National Forest)
Causes of Fires Reported
Arson 5
Campfire 38
Children 22
Smoking 41
Debris 197
Railroad 5
Lightening 7
Equipment 3
Misc. * 119
(* powerlines, fireworks, electric fences, etc.)
Total Fires by Year
Year
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
# Fires
# Acres
437
212
500
473
546
174
482
147
374
100
Bedford Fire Department Honor Guard - 2007
BUILDING/HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Wayne A. Richardson, CBO Code/Health Official
Wayne H. Moore, Code/Health Inspector
Gary Pariseau, Health Inspector - Food Service
Health Department
The end of 2007 will bring us to the start of the
town's fourth year having a part time department
member dedicated to food service inspections. I
am pleased to report to the residents the level of
safe food handling by our food service
establishments has greatly improved. Inspector
Pariseau held three safe food handing courses for
our establishments in town and all have had
maximum attendance. The food service
establishments here in Bedford are to be
applauded for understanding the importance of
these workshops and allowing and encouraging
their personnel to attend them. In addition to the
renewal of the existing facilities, the Health
Department issued licenses for 11 new food
services and another 6 for change of ownership.
Mosquito born illnesses continue to be a concern
for residents of the town. This past year the town
paid for 9 weeks of mosquito trapping. The
company did an excellent job of selecting trapping
sites to ensure an accurate evaluation of the town.
The results of those trappings were negative.
However, the Health Department continues to
advise all residents your best defense against
contracting these diseases is by self-protection
and following guidelines to help reduce mosquito
breeding areas around your home. These
guidelines can be found by following the links on
the Health Department page on the Town of
Bedford web site. The web address is:
www.ci.bedford.nh.us.
41
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
The Health Department staff also worked
together this year to draft the town's first
comprehensive Health Ordinance. Up until this
year all regulations pertaining to health related
matters were dispersed through out different
sections of the municipal codes making it difficult
at best for individuals seeking regulation
information. The new ordinance encompasses food
service, septic systems, wells and public bathing
facilities. These regulations are in addition to the
statutory health regulations found in RSA 147.
Building Department
It would appear the continuing turmoil in the
housing mortgage industry is affecting the rate of
growth here in Bedford. The charts below speak
for themselves by clearly indicating the drop in
permitted building activity as well as the number
of new completed dwellings. After a couple of very
active years on the commercial side of
construction there has been a reduction in
activity. The department has increased the
number of required inspections for permits due to
changes in the building codes this past summer.
Some of the new inspections include foundation
footing inspections prior to pouring concrete for
the footing and underground electrical conduit for
electrical services from the utility easement up to
the point of the building service. We anticipate
some confusion starting in January as the new
state gas-licensing requirement goes into effect.
This regulation was enacted in 2006 but the
licensing application portion was not complete
until September 2007. We have already
experienced some misunderstandings on the part
of installers and service technicians about these
requirements. 1 would just advise all residents to
make sure if you are having service work or
installation of any gas operated equipment to
make sure and ask to see the license of the person
actually doing the work. This year was an
eventful one for the Town of Bedford because we
issued the Certificate of Occupancy for the new
middle/high school complex. The building
department would like to express our appreciation
to both the SAU office and the contractor for their
cooperation during the project. While performing
over 100 inspection visits, that at times
encompassed several thousand sq ft of structure
during the inspection; this could have been a very
trying project. Certificates of Occupancy were
issued for 55 new residential dwelling units and 7
new non-residential facilities. The permits were
issued for the new Country Inn & Suites Hotel on
South River Road and the site work has started
for the Route 101 Hannaford's.
If you have questions about permits, when and if
they are required or questions about food service
establishments please visit the department web
pages on the town web site or give us a call at 472-
3838 with your questions.
Carlson/GMAC Realtors presenting their donation of
equipment to the Bedford Fire Department
42
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
BUILDING DEPARTMENT STATISTICS
COMPARISON OF VALUE* OF WORK BEING DONE BY YEAR
YEAR 2004 2005 2006 2007
COMMERCIAL ADDITION
$355,000 2
$681,000
3
$3,100,000
2
$435,000
/
COMMERCIAL REMODEL
$3,257,204 57
$3,671,432
61
$6,791,002
45
$11,242,635
51
NEW COMMERCIAL
$16,466,011 22
$20,651,000
12
$715,000
7
$8,459,000
6
NEW RESIDENTIAL DWELLING
$44,757,530 143
$36,117,500
144
$28,601,268
138
$16,653,000
35
NEW RESIDENTIAL
$248,234 11
$671,577
21
$759,800
22
$675,318
24
RESIDENTIAL ADDITION
$6,172,510 207
$5,945,497
177
$6,552,761
71
$4,774,781
162
RESIDENTL^L REMODEL
$929,924 45
$681,800
36
$1,142,900
24
$1,326,338
46
SEPTIC
$431,900 64
$342,700
55
$507,686
69
$361,350
51
SIGNS
$144,357 27
$146,230
31
$144,808
31
$227,610
33
SHEDS
$135,429 51
$135,717
44
$113,698
42
$19,525
34
SWIMMING POOLS
$650,684 36
$1,193,288
38
$931,588
46
$1,088,200
33
$73,548,783 665
$70,237,741
622
$49,360,511
497
$45,262,757
476
Additions = where finished square footage was added to existing structure
Remodel = where no new space was added only reconfiguring and updating
New = entirely new structures (in residential this excludes dwellings)
Figures in italics are the number of permits issued to generate the values in the table.
* = VALUES ARE BASED UPON FIGURES GIVEN ON PERMIT APPLICATIONS
TOWN OF BEDFORD
Building permits
New Dwelling Units
TOTAL
2000
297
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
253
218
135
123
123
2006
81
2007
Single
161
193
210
136
143
82
53
35
Duplex
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Condos
34
24
0
0
0
62
0
0
Apartmts
100
0
0
0
0
0
85
0
TOTAL
301
217
210
136
143
144
138
35
TOWN OF BEDFORD
Certificates of Occupancy
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Single
189
157
199
135
123
123
54
43
Duplex
20
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Condos
30
25
19
0
0
0
27
12
Apartmts
58
70
0
0
0
0
0
0
55
43
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
BEDFORD PUBLIC WORKS
James B. Stanford, P.E., Director
Bedford Public Works has five divisions^
Administrative, Highway, Sohd Waste,
Wastewater and Building Maintenance. There
are 24 Full Time, 1 Full Time/Half Year, 1 PT and
2 seasonal employees. The department is
responsible for maintaining a large segment of the
Town's physical infrastructure as well as
delivering important services including trash
waste disposal; sewer service; snow/ice removal
and treatment; Town events assistance; and new
subdivision construction oversight.
The comprehensive roads program continued this
year, in part, with funding from the 12 million
dollar bond appropriation approved in 2005. We
continued use of the pavement management
system to evaluate and recommend cost effective
alternatives for improving the condition of Town
roads. In total, over 13 miles of Town roads were
improved with rehabilitation or bituminous
asphalt treatment. Among the road projects. Back
River Road from South River Road to the
Merrimack Town Line underwent rehabilitation
with drainage system upgrades and roadway
alignment changes to improve sight distance.
Another major rain event in April caused severe
regional flooding and while we were spared the
major road damage that was seen in surrounding
communities, several roads were closed and
needed repair.
1 would like to thank all the staff members for
their cooperation and congratulate them on their
many accomplishments this past year.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Paul Belanger, Superintendent / Asst. Director
During the 2007 winter seasons there were 35
snow and/or ice events. While the early winter
months did not yield significant snowfall totals,
several major events in December led to record
snowfall totals and we enter the New Year with a
heavy snow -cover.
maintenance, brush clearing and drainage system
construction. Much of the time this year was
spent repairing road damage caused during the
April flooding event. As part of the roads
program, crews made several drainage system
improvements off of Liberty Hill Road. To aid in
the maintenance responsibilities, the Department
purchased two 6-wheel dump trucks.
WASTEWATER. SOLID WASTE AND
BUILDING MAINTENANCE DIVISIONS
Stephen R. Crean, Environmental Coordinator
Wastewater projects completed in 2007 included;
several pump repairs and minor sewer main
extensions/connections along South River Road,
Constitution Drive, Ridgewood Road, Atwood
Lane and Nashua Road. Work also continued on
updating the sewer master plan.
This was the first full year of scale operation and
the new hauling/disposal contract at the transfer
station. These factors combined with other site
improvements and residential sticker program led
to savings in overall transfer station costs. In
effort to continue reducing costs, we investigated
implementing single stream recycling and have
advertised for proposals.
Building Maintenance projects included;
installation of a controlled access system to Town
Offices and ramp improvements to BCTV. To
reduce energy costs, the lights at Town Offices
were replaced with high efficiency lights/fixtures.
Highway crews continued to play a key role in our
long-range road improvement plan by spending
the non-winter months on general road
County Road at Rilev Field
44
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
TREATMENT
2007 ROADS PROGRAM
ROAD NAME FROM
TO
Rehabilitation
Reclaim/Overlay
Wearing/Overlay
Back River Road
Smith Road
McAlhster Road
Nashua Road
Stowell Road
Sunset Lane
Tirrell Road
Juniper Drive
Checkerberry Lane
Horizon Drive
Monadnock Lane
Veronica Drive
Silver Spring Drive
Ridgewood Road
County Road
County Road
Nashua Road
Appledor Road
New Merrimack Road
Appleleaf Drive
Beals Road
Palomino Lane
Ridgewood Road
Atwood Lane
South River Road
Back River Road
New Boston Road
County Road
Beech Street
South River Road
Back River Road
Smith Road
Smith Road
Smith Road
Horizon Drive
Horizon Drive
Back River Road
South River Road
Liberty Hill Road
Back River Road
County Road
Liberty Hill Road
Appledor Road
Appledor Road
Gage Girls Road
South River Road
Atwood Lane
Palomino
Merrimack T.L.
Liberty Hill Road
Goffstown T.L.
Wallace Road
Merrimack T.L.
End
Preysnar Road
Smith Road
End
Smith Road
End
500 LF East
End
Atwood Lane
Nashua Road
Teaberry Lane
Route 101
End
End
End
Grafton Drive
Plummer Road
Ridgewood Private Way
End
2007 PUBLIC STREET ACCEPTANCES AND PUBLIC WAY EXTENSIONS
There were no public streets acceptances or public way extensions during the 2007 calendar year.
April 2007 flooding on Route 101
April 200 7 Hooding on Route 1 01
45
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
BEDFORD WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
Bruce A. Thomas, P.E., Chairman
The Bedford Water and Sewer Advisory
Committee is charged with advising the Town
Council and make recommendations in
conservation, planning, infrastructure, funding
mechanisms and legislation.
Over the past year, the Committee met to advise
the Town Council and Planning Board. The
following was accomplished:
• We discussed updates to the Wastewater
Facilities Plan and Sewer District Map.
• We discussed possible water main extensions
to Garrison Drive, to the Flatley property at
the intersection of Route 114 and 101, and to
Route 101 and Bell Hill Road.
• We supported a House Bill 457 that restricts
the use of water from private wells or public
water systems for residential lawn watering
during declared droughts. The Bill was signed
into law and took effect on August 24, 2007.
• Recommendations were made to extend the
sewer main on Nashua Road.
• Richard Moore. Committee Member and
geologist for the United States Geological
Survey presented to the Committee results of
the New Hampshire Bedrock Aquifer
assessment as it pertains to Bedford. The
purpose of the assessment is to identify
factors that affect the yields of wells,
developing tools to predict well potential,
pi'oducing maps to identify potential well
yields, and to describe the ambient quality of
ground water in bedrock throughout the State.
• Bruce Thomas, Paul Arnold, Rick Sawyer and
Russ Marcoux met with representatives from
the Pennichuck Water Service Company, and
toured their main water treatment facilities,
including a community well/treatment system
and a pump house. The purpose of the
meeting was to re-introduce Bedford decision
makers with Pennichuck's available resources,
to stay in tune with on-going water-related
issues and to establish a relationship between
the Town and Pennichuck to aid in future
planning.
The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee
meetings are typically scheduled for the second
Friday each month at 7^45 a.m. I would like to
thank the following members for serving on the
Committee over the past year: Paul Arnold, Paul
Goldberg, Richard Moore, Bruce Thomas, Town
Council Representatives Kevin Keyes and Mike
Scanlon, Steven Crean, Environmental
Coordinator and Rick Sawyer, Town Planner. I
particularly want to thank former Town Councilor
Bill Van Anglen and Karen White, former Town
Planner (now retired) for serving on this
Committee for a portion of the past year and all of
the years since the Committee was created in
2002.
BEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Mary Ann Senatro, Library Director
Trustees: Robert Brooks, Edward Moran &
Anthony Frederick
2007 was a remarkably active year at the Bedford
Public Library. We checked out 227,000 items, the
majority of which were books followed by DVDs
and audio books on CD. Downloadable audio
books, available through our web page, have
become very popular as well. One area of
explosive growth at the library is meeting room
use. Numerous groups in town use the Richmond
Room and the McAllaster Room for their meeting
place. Our Quiet Study Room has students from
elementary school to PhD candidates working on
their studies. We are currently averaging over 100
meetings per month in the library building!
One of the highlights this year was our
participation in the nationwide reading program,
the Big Read. With grant support from our
partnership with the Northeast Cultural Coop,
the National Endowment for the Arts, the
Institute of Museum and Library Services and
Arts Midwest, we were able to celebrate the
classic American novel by Amy Tan, The Joy Luck
Club. In addition to book discussions, we had
many other programs including: a demonstration
of tai chi and maj jong, a Chinese music concert,
and a lecture on U.S. -China relations. We hope to
continue this successful program in the future.
46
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
It was a very successful year again for the
children's Summer Reading Program with 1,172
children participating in the "Reading Road Trip
U.S.A.". The children read a total of 20,194 books!
Thanks to our wonderful staff in the children's
room and all of the families and children who
participated. Bedford is consistently the leader in
the state in number of children participating and
number of books read. Our first annual Adult
Summer Reading Program was also well received
and we will plan to continue it next year. Reading
is alive and well in Bedford!
At the Bedford Public Library we like to focus on
the future of supporting the needs of the
community in the technology age as well as
preserving our past. Technology has allowed us to
increase access to our library and broaden our
reach. We are happy to report that this year we
installed wireless Internet access in the library
through a generous donation by Bedford resident.
Laurie Heinz. Now, patrons can find a comfortable
area in the library and connect to the Internet
using their personal laptops. Using our online
catalog, patrons can place holds on popular items
and renew online from the work or home through
our web page: www.bedford.lib.nh.us. Library Elf
is a private service that many patrons are using to
receive alerts before library items are due, when
items are overdue, or when items are ready for
pick up (holds) via e-mail. This year we also began
offering patrons the ability to request items that
are checked in at the library and have them
pulled from the shelf and ready for pick up.
Through our web page all Bedford cardholders
have access to over 35 premium databases such
as: Ebsco's Masterfile Premier for magazine
searches, Newsbank for Union Leader articles.
Automotive Repair Reference Center for car
repair information and HeritageQuest for
genealogy research.
According to the 1903 History of Bedford, there
was a circulating library in Bedford as earlj' as
May 28, 1789. The library register of 1789,
entitled a "List of Subscribers", details the
library's original accessions as well as the 38
residents who were the original subscribers. This
register is bound in leather with each entry
written in cursive longhand. At the end of 2006,
the library was awarded a partial grant from the
Department of Cultural Resources, Moose License
Plate Grant program to preserve the 1789 Library
Accession Book. The balance of the cost of
conservation was donated by the Bedford Library
Foundation. We look forward to displaying this
unique, historic book this year for the public to
appreciate. We also have a copy of the book on
mici'ofilm for research purposes. Many thanks to
Frances Wiggin and Hope Inman for their efforts
in obtaining this grant and the Library
Foundation for enabling the completion of this
project.
Susan Rotch, Head of Reference Services, for 16
years retired in April. Many colleagues, former
staff and members of the community came out to
wish her well at her retirement party. Susan was
always ready to help patrons find information in a
professional and cheerful manner. Susan's sign at
the reference desk said it perfectly, "Bother Us for
Information". No matter how busy it was, Susan
always gave each person the attention and time
necessary to assist them at the library. Stacey
McKinley was promoted to Head of Reference
upon Susan's retirement. Kersten Matera, an
MLS student was hired to replace Stacey's
position at reference. Unfortunately, Stacey had
to relocate in August when her husband was
transferred for work. Emily Weiss joined us in
October as the new Head of Reference. Emily
moved to New Hampshire from Connecticut where
she had worked at the Darien Public Library.
Joanna Baqqi was replaced by Anne Murphy as
Head of Technical Services in April. Anne had
previously worked at St. Anselm College.
Mary Ann Senatro and Susan Rotch
In addition to our regular staff we have many
dedicated volunteers at the library to help support
the staff with the many varied tasks that need to
be accomplished. Helping us out this year were
volunteers: Betty Clock, Judy Kazakavich,
Marilyn McKenney, Alberta Dieter, Tina
Campbell, Denise Schnaars, Jane Beaver, Larry
47
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Johnson, Eugene HoUey, Pam Vanarsdale, Jean
McGiffin, Bhawna Sharma, Katherine Green,
Cassidy HoUiday, Kaitlin McGown, Ben Johnson,
Anne Roberts, Julie Hunter and Cathy Vetrone.
We greatly appreciate all of the assistance they
have given us this year.
Our popular Museum Pass Program was
expanded this year with generous donations from
local organizations. The following passes are
available and can be reserved at the library or
online:
Children's Museum, Boston, sponsored by the Library Trustees
Children's Museum of Portsmouth sponsored by the Bedford
Public Library Foundation
Christa McAuliffe Planetarium sponsored by the Rotary Club
of Bedford
Millyard Museum sponsored by the Bedford Pubhc Library
Foundation
Museum of Fine Arts. Boston, sponsored by the Friends of the
Bedford Library
Museum of Science, Boston, sponsored by the Bedford Parent
Teacher Group
New England Aquarium. Boston, sponsored by the Friends of
the Bedford Library
SEE Science Center, sponsored by the Bedford Pubhc Library
Foundation
Strawbery Banke, sponsored by the Bedford Public Library
Foundation
The Rotary Club of Bedford generously donated
funds to the Children's Summer Reading Program
and purchased a painting by artist, Dee Lessard,
for the library. The Bedford Public Library
Foundation donated additional DVDs for our
collection, preservation of the 1789 library
register, a laser color printer and other library
enhancements. We are especially grateful to
Eckman Construction Co. for donating money for
the performers for the children's Summer Reading
Program, as well as the Bedford Women's Club
and the Bedford Men's Club and Citizens Bank
making this one of our most successful years ever.
The Lions Club provided us with library card
protectors; and the Bedford Garden Club added to
the beauty of our building with plantings and
wreaths. We are especially grateful to the Friends
of the Library who work tirelessly to make the
Sunday Concert Series possible and the work of
the members of the Bedford Library Foundation
in supporting the library. Many thanks also to the
Bedford Youth Performing Company for staging
productions for preschoolers at the library. We are
so grateful to all of the readers in this community
that use and support the library throughout the
year.
In the coming year we are committed to reaching
out to new users, encouraging children and adults
to be avid readers, and to leading our community
and our library into the world of electronic
information.
2007 Library Statistics
Books on accession (12/31/2006)
69,365
Books purchased:
3,607
Books donated:
639
Sub-total
73,611
Books withdrawn:
6,736
Books on accession (12/31/07):
66,875
Library Holdings (12/31/07)
Books
66,875
Magazines
3,519
Audio books
2,627
Videos/DVDs
3,771
Compact discs
1,538
Total
78,330
Subscriptions - 2007
Magazines (titles)
Newspapers (titles)
Microfiche (titles)
Microfilm -(1 title)
2007 Circulation Statistics
Books
Magazines
Compact Discs
Videos/DVDs
Audio Books
Museum Passes
122
29
32 roUs
162,627
6,412
7,077
40,975
12,381
392
48
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Subtotal
Electronic Resources
Total
229,864
188.342
418.206
Bedford Public Library - Special Account 2007
Cash on Hand 1/1/07
Income:
Meeting Room
Cbpies
Book Sales
Fines
Gifts
Non-resident fees
Replacements
Grants
Miscellaneous
Trust Funds
Total Income
Disbm-sements^
Miscellaneous
Programs
Copiers
Library Enhancements
Books and Media
Preservation Pi-oject
Total Disbursements
Cash on Hand 12/31/07
BEDFORD TOWN PT ,F.RK
$8,764.48
180.00
2,173.73
3,886.52
20,354.08
7,780.02
735.00
2,074.31
3,406.50
337.25
319.82
$41,247.23
880.00
8.358.95
3,166.99
7,123.98
10,600.83
4,313.00
$34,443.75
$15,567.96
Wanda L. Jenkins, Town Clerk
In the fall of 2006, I learned of grant money
available through the NH Department of State
and Vital Records Improvement Fund. A vital
records preservation grant was available for
purposes such as assessment and planning,
improvements to the records storage environment,
records security, related equipment, and the
conservation of records. In March 2007, the Town
of Bedford's vital records were surveyed for
preservation planning purposes by a
representative of the Northeast Document
Conservation Center. Based upon the
consultant's report two fireproof storage cabinets
along with miscellaneous supplies/equipment
were purchased. In addition several books of
recorded births, marriages and deaths were
selected on their condition and usage to be
disbound, flattened, have tape removed, pages
mended and de-acidified as recommended by the
consultant. The books, bound in new leather
covers, were returned to the Town in the fall after
the conservation treatment was completed to
ensure the long-term preservation of these
important Town records.
New Hampshire passed legislation, and Governor
Lynch signed it into law, that authorized Town
clerks to being on December 10, 2007, to provide
applications for civil union licenses that would be
legal to use beginning on January 2, 2008.
The Town Clerk's office, in conjunction with the
Animal Control Officer, Stephen Paul, made great
strides to ensure that all dogs were licensed and
held a current rabies certificate as required by NH
State Statutes. This resulted in the licensing of
over 3200 dogs for the year In addition, an
informational pamphlet which outlines the laws
and Town ordinances that pertain to animals was
developed and is available to residents.
On the day before Thanksgiving, and after weeks
of speculation, the Secretary of State announced
the much anticipated date for the NH Primary.
The date of January 8, 2008 made headlines
throughout the country and kept NH as the 1^' in
the nation for a primary election. The Primary
election was the first to be held at the
Middle/High School and resident's comments were
very positive about the new voting setup that
enabled voters to move quickly through the voting
process.
Dorothy "Dottie" Witzel who held the position of
Supervisor of the Checklist during my nine years
as Town Clerk passed away one day before the
Primary. Dottie's dedication to her job ensured
the Town's voting records were kept up-to-date
and that they were maintained with accuracy.
Her presence at the Town Offices will be missed
and her friendship will be cherished by all who
knew her.
49
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
Although there is constant change in our Town, I
am very proud to have the opportunity through
my office to become better acquainted with
residents and to assist them in obtaining the
information they seek. Working on a daily basis
with Town employees who strive every day to
provide a multitude of services to residents and
non residents 1 know the quality and charm of our
Town will be maintained.
TOWN CLERK ACCOUNTS:
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTS:
Debits:
UCC Filings
Certified Copies
Marriage Licenses
Dredge & Fill
Articles of Agreement
Pole Licenses
Miscellaneous
Total Debits
Credits Remitted to Treasurer
DOG UCENSE ACCOUNT:
Debits:
Licenses Issued
License Penalties
Dog Violations
Total Debits
Credits Remitted to Treasurer
Grand Total Remitted to Treasurer
Trust and Capital Reserve Fund Totals for
Year Ending December 31, 2007
Capital Reserve Funds (unaudited)
5,935.00
5,156.00
3,285.00
70.00
5.00
0.00
598.59
$15,049.59
$15,049.59
20,763.50
1,905.50
5,200.00
$27,869.00
$27,869.00
$42,918.59
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST FUNDS
Ryk Bullock, Scott Eamshaw, Mark Peicker
As the Trustees of the Trust Funds, we offer these
brief comments on the reports that follow.
The Trustees are responsible for two types of
funds: (l) Capital Reserve Funds, which have
been established by the Town of Bedford or the
Bedford School District in anticipation of specific
uses, and (2) Trust Funds, which have been set up
to support on-going projects, such as the Bedford
library or the Bedford cemetery.
School Building Fund
8,784.67
School Maintenance
46,459.63
School Tuition
141,953.74
School Land Fund
562,406.89
Route 3 Improvement
9,839,73
Transfer Station Equipment
6,204.90
Transfer Station Improvement
46,636.95
Conservation Commission
371,975.32
Town Office Restoration
36,520.58
Safety Complex
748.63
Sidewalk Improvements
12,736.00
New Land Reserve
407,512.41
Radio Reserve
58,596.67
Fire Engine Replacement
182,759.07
Loader Replacement
104,539.80
Backhoe Replacement
21,271.49
Building Addition
26,665.39
Fire Equip Reserve
82,678.12
Pick Up Truck Replacement
49,247.33
Sewer Enterprise
578,247.48
All Purpose Tractor
33,721.01
Accounting Software Replacement
67,202.64
Master Plan
108,442.24
Traffic Signal Improvements
32,338.32
Sweeper Replacement
117,799.90
Grader
105,893.35
Chipper
16,171.99
Library Main tenance
106,114,38
Commercial Revaluation
26,423,83
One Ton Trucks
91,078.60
Portable Police Radios
19,110.84
Solid Waste Backhoe
21,198.57
Pool Building Maintenance
5,194.58
Sportsman Field
20,778.32
Parks Equipment - Massey Tractor
33,245.32
Ten Wheel Dump Truck
51,945.81
Fire Tanker
77,918.72
Plotter/Prin ter/Copier
5,194.58
Tape Backup
7,272.41
Sewer Systems Improvement
103,891.62
MS Open Licensing
7,267.38
Ambulance Replacement
31,167.49
Total Capital Reserves
$3,845,156.70
Total Trust Funds
Total Principal
54,455.00
Total Revenues
13,183.02
Total Principal & Revenues
$67,638.02
Grand Total
Capital Reserve Funds
3,845,156.70
Trust Funds
67,638.02
Grand Total
$3,912,794.72
50
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Town of Bedford
2008
Municipal Warrant
and
Budget Summary
65
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
2008 MUNICIPAL WAKKANT
To the inhabitants of the Town of Bedford in the
County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire
qualified to vote on Town Affairs^
You are hereby notified to meet at the Bedford
Middle/High School on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 7
o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following Articles 1
through 5. Polls are to close no later than 7:00 p.m.
Action on Article 6 will be held at the Budgetary Town
Meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at
the Bedford Middle/High School (46 Nashua Road).
Article 1. Election of Town Officers
To elect 2 Town Councilors for three-year terms, 1
Library Trustee for a three-year term, 1 Supervisor of
the Checklist for a six-year term, 1 Supervisor of the
Checklist for a four-year term, 1 Town Clerk for a
three-year term, 1 Town Moderator for a two-year term
and 1 Trustee of the Trust Funds for a three-year term.
Article 2. To see how the Town will vote on
ZONING AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE
PLANNING BOARD
Amendment No. 1
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance to amend Article 45-2 DEFINITIONS by
deleting the words shown in strike through and adding
the words in bold as follows:
Amend Article 45-2 Definitions by deleting the
existing definition of "Commercial Use" - Aft
occupation, employment, or cntcrprioc that in carried
on for profit by the Icoooo or liconooc and replacing it
with the following definition: Any use involving in
part or in whole the sale of merchandise, materials or
services, but not including home occupations as
defined in this section.
[This amendment is intended to clarify that
commercial uses may be carried on by for profit as
well as not for profit entities.]
Amendment No. 2
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance to amend Article 45-2 DEFINITIONS by
adding the following words shown in bold as follows:
Amend Article 45-2 Definitions as follows:
"Structure" - A combination of materials for
occupancy or use, such as a building, bridge, trestle.
tower, framework, tank or group of tanks exceeding a
total of 500 gallons, tunnel, tent, stadium, platform,
shelter, pier, wharf, bin, sign, fences and retaining
walls over six feet (6") in height, swimming pools,
sports courts, or the like.
[This amendment is intended to allow tanks or groups
of tanks that total 500 gallons or less to be exempt
from the minimum structure setback requirements.]
Amendment No. 3
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 3 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance to amend Article 45-2 DEFINITIONS as
follows:
Amend Article 45-2 Definitions by adding the
following definition: "Kennel" - An establishment
licensed to operate a facility housing dogs, cats or
other household pets and or where grooming,
breeding, boarding, training, or selling of animals is
conducted as a business.
[This amendment is intended to add a definition for
Kennel which currently does not exist.]
Amendment No. 4
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance as follows:
Amend Article 45-9-6 U.S. ROUTE 3 CORRIDOR
PERFORMANCE ZONING DISTRICT, Permitted
Uses by adding Subsection (y) Kennel: and
Amend Appendix 45-A Table of Uses by adding
Kennel as a commercial use permitted in the
Commercial (CO) and Performance Standards (PZ)
Zones.
[This amendment is intended to specifically allow
kennels in the Commercial (CO) and Performance
Standards (PZ) Zones.]
Amendment No. 5
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance by deleting the words shown in strike
through and adding the words in bold as follows:
To amend Article 45-112 DISTRICT REGULATION
FOR SIGNAGE, Section (i) Route 3 Performance
Zoning District, Subsection (1) as follows: All signs
shall be set back from the side and rear property lines
at least fifty foot (50') thirty feet (30') and from the
front property line at least ten feet (10').
66
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
[This amendment is intended as housekeeping to be
consistent with Article 45-ll-l(a) which was amended
in 2006 and currently provides for a thirty foot (30')
setback.]
Amendment No. 6
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 6 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance as follows:
To amend Article 45-4-2 USE REGULATIONS,
Section (b) Uses Permitted By Right With Conditions
Imposed, Subsection (2) Elderly Housing, by deleting
Subsection (d) Parking in its entirety; and
To amend Appendix 45-A Table of Uses by deleting
footnote number 28 - Elderly Housing, Subsection (d)
Parking in its entirety.
[This amendment is intended as housekeeping so to
be consistent with the Land Development Control
Regulation Section 322.2 Off-Street Parking
Requirements and the 2002 Amendment which
removed all other parking requirements from the
Zoning Ordinance.]
Amendment No. 7
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 7 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance by adding the words in bold as follows^
To amend Article 45-4-2 USE REGULATIONS,
Section (f) Supplemental Provisions, Subsection (1)
Home Occupations, Level II Subsection (e) as follows^
Septic system design/capacity for home occupations
that have any non-resident employees or that utilize
large water or waste water volumes, such as day care
facilities, hair salons, and catering services shall be
verified in writing by a licensed NH septic designer or
a professional engineer.
[This amendment is intended to require applicants
seeking Home Occupation permits who have non-
resident employees to verify that their septic systems
are capable of handling any additional flow, if any.]
Amendment No. 8
Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 8 as
proposed by the Planning Board for the Bedford Zoning
Ordinance by deleting the words in strike through as
follows:
To amend Article 45-6-5 Cluster Residential
Development, Design Requirements Section (j) Design
Standards for Single Attached Dwelling for Elderly
Housing, Subsection (3) as follows: The installation of
residential sprinkler systems or the construction of
firo walls shall be required for buildings containing
single attached dwellings.
[This amendment would make the installation of fire
suppression sprinkler systems mandatory for
attached elderly housing units.]
Article 3. Proposed Charter Amendment
Shall the municipality approve the charter amendment
summarized below?
Sections 1-3-5 (filling vacancies on the Town Council),
1-4-1 (appointment of a Town Manager), 1-4-4
(determination by CouncO that Town Manager is
incapacitated), 1-4-6 (authority of Council to overrule
the Town Manager with respect to disciplining of a
department head), l-5-ll(a) (authority of Council to
incur debt), and l-5-12(c) (waiving competitive bid
requirements) of the Town Charter are to be amended
by deleting from each section the existing language
requiring a super- majority vote of five councilors and
inserting in place thereof the following language
requiring a super- majority vote: "affirmative vote of
five (5) councilors."
Explanation: Each of the listed sections currently
requires a super-majority vote of the Town Council by
using different language. The intention of this
amendment is to use the same language throughout, to
ensure consistency in the interpretation of these
sections. For clarification purposes, it is the intention
of the Council by making these changes to the Charter,
to ensure that these items, in order to pass, need the
affirmative vote of at least live Councilors.
Article 4. Issuance of Long Term Debt for
Reconstruction of Roads
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a
sum not to exceed eight million six hundred thousand
dollars ($8,600,000) for the purpose of the
reconstruction and rehabilitation of Town roads, eight
million dollars ($8,000,000) of which to come from the
issuance of bonds or notes under and in compliance
with the Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33, and six
hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) of which to come
from interest earnings on the investment of these bond
proceeds and to authorize the Town Council to issue
and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the
rate of interest thereon, and take such other action as
may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation,
sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in
the best interest of the Town of Bedford, and pass any
vote relating thereto. (This article requires a two-thirds
ballot vote)
67
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Explanation: The issuance of this long-term debt will address
two major concerns in Town, one being the continuation of our
Town road reconstruction and rehabilitation program which
began in 2003 and the other being necessary safety
improvements at the intersection of Route 101 and Nashua
Road. It is the intent of the Council to first handle the Route
101/Nashua Road safety improvements due in part to the
increased traffic resulting from the opening of the new
Middle/High School on Nashua Road. Engineering consultants
hired by the School District have projected the cost to be
approximately $3,000,000. At the completion of the
engineering and design phase for the Route 101/Nashua Road
project, if the cost does not reasonably resemble the original
projection, the Council may reallocate funding as necessary
providing such reallocation shall be in the best interest of the
Town of Bedford. The remaining funds will be used to
continue the Town roads program as described through 2009.
THE TOWN COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD
RECOMMEND PASSAGE OF THIS ARTICLE.
ARTICLE 5 IS SUBMITTED BY CITIZEN PETITION
Article 5. Issuance of Long Term Debt for
Reconstruction of Town Roads
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a
sum not to exceed twelve million nine hundred
thousand dollars ($12,900,000) for the purpose of the
reconstruction and rehabilitation of town roads, twelve
million dollars ($12,000,000) of which to come from the
issuance of bonds or notes under and in compliance
with the Municipal Finance Act, RSA 33, and nine
hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) of which to come
from interest earnings on the investment of these bond
proceeds and to authorize the Town Council to issue
and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the
rate of interest thereon, and take such other action as
may be necessary to effect the issuance, negotiation,
sale and delivery of such bonds or notes as shall be in
the best interest of the Town of Bedford, and pass any
vote relating thereto. NONE of these monies are to be
used for any road NOT owned and maintained by the
Town of Bedford. Revenue from the issuance of bonds or
notes under this Article shall not be used for
reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of roads
that are the responsibility of the State of New
Hampshire, including but are not limited to. Route 101,
Route 114, and the Everett Turnpike. (This article
requires a two-thirds ballot vote)
Explanation: This issuance if this long-term debt will address
major concerns in the Town of Bedford, regarding the
continuation of our Town road reconstruction and
rehabilitation program which began in 2003. It is the intent of
the signers to insure that town monies are spent fixing town
roads first and demanding that the State of New Hampshire
accept responsibility to improve and maintain its own
infrastructure. All funds will be used to continue the Town
roads program.
TOWN ARTICLE 6 WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE
BUDGETARY TOWN MEETING ON MARCH 5, 2008
AT THE BEDFORD MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
(Nashua Road).
Article 6. - Town Operating Budget
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate
such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the
Town charges for the ensuing year.
General Fund
Police Special Detail
Recreation Day Camp
Bedford Comm. TV
Special Revenue Funds
Sewer Fund
Total Appropriation
$21,353,088
421,875
140.191
256,393
57,500
1.409,788
$23,638,835
The Town Council approved this warrant on January 23, 2008.
Given under our hands and seal this 23"" day of January 2008.
(pauC^y, Sr., Cfiairmatt
!Mi^ Iz6ic% Vice Cdairman
2008 Town Council
Proposed Municipal Budget Summarv
There is an estimated tax increase in the Town portion
of property taxes of $0.25 to support the 2008 budget.
The estimated Town portion of the tax rate is $3.92 per
$1,000 of assessed valuation. Highlighted below are the
projects and/or equipment included within
departmental budgets that will continue to allow for the
quality service that the residents of Bedford have come
to expect. Additional costs in the budget are funded
through cost savings elsewhere and new revenues.
• The Town Council budget includes $949,000 for the
acquisition of land, if a parcel becomes available
during the year. This amount is totally offset by
revenue.
• The Election and Registration overall budget
increase is due to an increase in the number of
elections in 2008.
• The Finance and Personnel budget includes $5,000
to be deposited into the Financial Software Capital
Reserve account.
• The Information Technology budget includes
funding for the replacement of various computers
and equipment as recommended by the Information
Technology Master Plan accepted by the Town
Council. This budget also includes $36,000 for IT
68
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
consulting services and $30,500 to be deposited into
Capital Reserve accounts.
The Assessing budget includes $40,000 for
assessing services to conduct a commercial
reassessment.
The Planning Department budget includes
$130,000 for the Town-Wide Master Plan which is
offset by a Capital Reserve withdrawal of $103,989.
The Safety Complex budget includes $16,000 to
replace 3 additional heating units which are beyond
their life expectancy (the replacement project began
in 2007). The budget also includes $129,881 for the
safety complex bond principal and interest
payment.
The Payroll Adjustment budget includes $261,141
for payroll and benefit expenses for the 53'''' week in
2008.
The Fund Balance Reserve budget was established
in 2005 to address the long-term financial stability
of the town and funding continues in 2008 with an
appropriation of $430,000.
The Police Administration budget includes $30,000
for anticipated police grants. The grants are offset
by revenue.
The Police Communications budget includes full
year funding for the Dispatch and Lieutenant
positions added in the 2007 budget. Also included is
funding for a dispatcher/records clerk for 6 months
as recommended by the MRI study. This position
will require full year funding in future budgets.
This budget also includes an $18,000 Capital
Reserve deposit for the future replacement of the
dispatch radio console.
The Police Patrol budget includes a new Lieutenant
position for 6 months which will require full year
funding in future budgets. This budget also
includes a $9,000 Capital Reserve deposit for the
replacement of portable radios.
The Police Detective budget includes a new
detective position for 6 months which wOl require
full year funding in future budgets. This budget
also includes the SROs positions previously
budgeted for under patrol.
The Fire Administration budget includes $110,000
for anticipated fire grants. Revenues offset this
budget item.
The Fire Operations budget includes a full year of
funding for the 3 new positions added in the 2007
budget which are part of the 5-year federal SAFER
grant program. This budget also includes $200,000
for deposits to various Capital Reserve accounts for
the future replacement of capital equipment and
vehicles.
The Public Works Local Road Maintenance budget
includes $2,560,400 for the principal and interest
payments of the two existing road bonds and
$1,000,000 for local road maintenance. Public
Works will also spend approximately $4 million of
the 2005 Road Bond during 2008.
The Public Works Highway budget includes
$166,000 for the replacement of a sweeper, which is
offset by a capital reserve withdrawal in the
amount of $112,295. The budget also includes
$230,000 for the purchase of two dump trucks,
$69,000 for the purchase of a one-ton truck and
$26,000 for the purchase of a pickup truck. The
one-ton and pickup trucks are completely offset by
Capital Reserves. There is an additional $163,000
budgeted to be deposited into various Capital
Reserve accounts.
The Transfer Station budget includes $153,760 for
the landfill bond payment and $40,000 for Capital
Reserve deposits.
The Recreation Field budget includes $5,000 for the
Center Park and $55,000 to replace the Massey
tractor (offset by capital reserves of $32,000). Also
included in this budget is $35,000 for Capital
Reserve deposits for equipment replacement.
The Library budget includes approximately $25,000
for part-time wages/benefits for additional
circulation desk and clerical assistance. Also
included is funding to a Capital Reserve account for
building repairs in the amount of $24,400, $10,000
to establish a reserve for future parking lot
construction and $157,581 for the Library bond
payment.
The Conservation Commission budget includes
$354,795 towards the purchase of conservation
land if any becomes available. This amount is
offset by revenue.
Breakdown of
Town Council Budget
Increase of $0.25
Full Yr. Police Staffing 2007
$0.05
1.4%
53'^'' week Payroll
$0.08
2.2%
Police Staffing per MRI Study
$0.03
0.8%
Fund Balance Reserves
$0.04
1.0%
General Operating Increase
$0.05
1.4%
Total Increase
$0.25
6.8%
Town of Bedford
2008 Proposed Tax Rate Increase
$0.25 over 2007 rate
■53rd Week Payroll BPoUce StafBng BFuiid Balance Reserves B General Operating
69
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
Town of Bedford, New Hampshire
2008 Municipal Budget
ALL GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENTS
Appropriations by Function
2006
2007
2008
Prior Year
Current Year
Council
Dollar
%
Description
Actual
Budget
Recommended
Change
Change
General Fund
Town Manager
494.271
465,416
763,129
297,713
63.97%
Town Clerk
137,564
106,799
131,823
25,024
23.43%
Finance
2,110,602
2,420,156
2,591,816
171,660
7.09%
Information Systems
238,017
291,526
344,660
53,134
18.23%
Assessing
141,735
153,727
196,979
43,252
28.14%
Planning & Zoning
320,860
344,934
423.566
78,632
22.80%
Police
3,021,945
3,283,036
3,552,041
269,005
8.19%
Fire
2,353,180
2,716,767
2,944,978
228,211
8.40%
Public Works
6,026,782
7,605,842
7,473,647
(132,195)
-1.74%
Recreation
595,013
788,013
554,540
(233,473)
-29.63%
Library
905,286
983,252
1,032,504
49,252
5.01%
Other General Government
463,439
1,394,628
1,343,405
(51,223)
-3.67%
Total for Division
$ 16,808,694
$ 20,554,096
$ 21,353,088 $ 798,992
3.89%
Appropriations by Budget Category
Description
Prior Year
Current Year
Council
Dollar
%
Actual
Budget
Proposed
Change
Change
8,427,718
9,493,359
10,458,896
965,537
10.17%
420,260
416,164
620,709
204,545
49.15%
2,496,088
3,761,761
3,501,477
(260,284)
-6.92%
1,737,949
3,126,159
3,001,622
(124,537)
-3.98%
3,726,680
3,7.56,653
3,770,384
13,731
0.37%
Personal Services
Contractual Services
Capital Outlay
Debt Service
Other Expenses
Total Department - All GF
$ 16.808,694 $ 20,554,096 $ 21,353,088 $ 798,992
3.89%
2008 Expenditures by Budget Category
All General Fund Departments
■ PeraonalS«mceB O Contractual Services ■ Capital Outlay ■ Debt Service ■ Other Expenses
70
Town of Bedford. NH - 2007 Annual Report
2008 PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS
Year-to-Date figures are preliminary (unaudited)**
DEPARTMENT
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN MANAGER
ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION
TAX COLLECTOR
TOWN CLERK
FINANCE/PERSONNEL
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
ASSESSING
LEGAL EXPENSE
PLANNING BOARD
ZONING BOARD
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
PLANNING
TOWN HALL
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX
CEMETERIES
INSURANCE
NH MUNICIPAL ASSOCUTION
SOUTHERN NH PLANNING
MANCHESTER TRANSIT AUTHORITY
TOWN PUBLICATIONS
PAYROLL ADJUST - 53RD WEEK
FUND BALANCE RESERVE
UNALLOCATED RESERVE
POLICE
Administration
Communications
Patrol
Detectives
Animal Control
Subtotal Police
FIRE
Administration
Operations
Building Inspection
Health Department
Hydrant Rental
Subtotal Fire
2007
2007
2008
2008
WORKING
EXPENDED YTD
MANAGER
COUNCIL
BUDGET
12/31/07
RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED
1,017,578
257.569
517.580
966.580
195,471
183.341
260,687
260.687
25.689
26.707
45.913
45.913
129,273
129,169
137,303
137.303
84,133
83,178
84,650
85.910
309,371
307.428
326,231
326.231
294.362
288,159
313,660
344.660
157,188
135,893
196,980
196.980
65,000
55,889
65,000
65,000
26,019
22,060
26,532
26,532
5.881
3,890
6,081
6,081
1.462
807
1,463
1,463
313.589
293,980
385,990
389,490
19.250
17,151
18,784
18,784
210.918
215,109
221,026
221.026
292,178
308,692
262.449
278,449
18.950
14,410
18.790
18,790
1.650.538
1.542,383
1.674.477
1,674,477
16.500
16.389
17.000
17,000
13.200
13.065
13,100
13,100
43.200
42.600
43,200
43,200
4.800
5.871
3,000
3,000
261,141
261,141
278,749
278,749
292,749
430,000
100,000
13,088
100,000
100,000
426,023
425,254
472,554
477,554
438,683
379,700
503,634
531,497
1,654,983
1,651,392
1,595,494
1.595,494
438,715
449,410
599.901
631,993
35.329
36,357
37.054
37,054
$ 2.993.733
$ 2,942,113
$ 3,208,637
$ 3,273,592
294.437
295,806
316,661
332,661
2.052.730
2,117,974
2,180,632
2,192,832
138,808
142,985
143,939
144,439
27,329
26,657
27,146
27,146
240,000
239,815
247.900
247,900
$ 2,753,304
$ 2,823,237
$ 2,916,278
$ 2,944,978
71
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
2008 PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS
** Year-to-Date figures are preliminary (unaudited)"*
DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC WORKS
Administration
Local Road Maintenance
Highway
Winter Maintenance
Traffic Control
Solid Waste
Subtotal Public Works
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
SOCLVL SERVICE AGENCY
RECREATION
Administration
Programs
Pool
Fields
Subtotal Recreation
LIBRARY
TOWN EVENTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOTAL GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATIONS
ENTERPRISE FUNDS
Police Special Detail
Recreation Day Camp
Bedford Community Television
Sewer Fund
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
Other Special Revenue Funds
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS
2007
2007
2008
2008
WORKING
EXPENDED YTD
MANAGER
COUNCIL
BUDGET
12/31/07
RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED
292,003
267,738
302,889
302.889
3,665,450
3,568,993
3,560,400
3,560,400
1,627,036
1,668,460
1,591,644
1,714,144
504,951
661,731
455,702
455,702
84,700
92,877
81,.500
81,500
1,224,905
1,093,175
1,136,486
1,137,986
$ 7,399,045
$ 7,352,974
$ 7,128,621
$ 7,252,621
15.000
5,404
15,000
15,000
9.600
8,155
8,805
8.805
83,086
51,966
100,161
50.161
91,501
93,812
91,226
91.226
88,732
74,548
85.863
85,863
501,369
510,465
.304,506
306,006
$ 764,688
$ 730,791
$ 581,756
$ 533,256
983,252
968,559
1,000,804
1,032,504
4,075
1,807
2,500
2,500
358,100
1,550
358,035
358,035
$ 20,554,096
$ 19,090,168
$ 20,514,222
$ 21,353,088
454,374
268,876
421,875
421,875
140,191
93,524
140,191
140,191
299,913
288,261
256,393
256,393
1,525,361
1,307,182
1,409,788
1,409.788
57,500
57,500
57.500
57,500
$ 23,031,435
$ 21,105,511
$ 22,799,969
$ 23,638,835
Debt Service Payments (principal and interest) are included in the above proposed budget in the following
departments:
Public Safety Complex:
Road Resurfacing:
$129,881
$2,560,400
Landfill Closure: $153,760
Library: $157,581
Total General Fund: $3,001,622
Sewer Enterprise: $187,812
72
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
2008 PROPOSED REVENUES
Year-to-Date figures are preliminary (unaudited)*
DEPARTMENT
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN MANAGER
ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION
TAX COLLECTOR
TOWN CLERK
FINANCE/PERSONNEL
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
ASSESSING
PLANNING BOARD
ZONING BOARD
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
PLANNING
TOWN HALL
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX
CEMETERIES
POLICE
Administration
Patrol
Subtotal Police
FIRE
Administration
Operations
Building Inspection
Subtotal Fire
PUBLIC WORKS
Administration
Highway
Transfer Station
Subtotal Public Works
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
RECREATION
Administration
Programs
Fields
Pool
Subtotal Recreation
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOTAL 2008 GENERAL FUND REVENUES
ENTERPRISE FUNDS
Police Special Detail
Recreation Day Camp
Bedford Community Television
Sewer Fund
SPECIAL REVENUE FUND
Other Special Revenue Funds
TOTAL 2008 MUNICIPAL BUDGET REVENUES
2007
2007
2008
2008
APPROVED
REVENUES
TOWN MANAGER
TOWN COUNCIL
BUDGET
12/31/07
RECOMMENDED
APPROVED
1,000,000
241,000
500.000
949.000
17,000
17,818
18.000
18.000
100
400
400
15,564,704
15,493,478
15,880.745
16.224.646
40,500
36,678
38,000
41.000
1,237,090
1.541,311
1,393,090
1.393.090
6,000
6.190
25,317
25.317
45,000
26.500
50,000
50.000
7,000
7.000
7.000
7.000
500
500
500
500
1,000
20.088
105.089
105.089
3,500
2.745
3.000
3.000
9.600
137,990
139.612
120,766
120,766
10,000
10.800
7,000
7,000
112,350
69,557
103,850
103,850
115,345
100,429
120.622
120,622
$ 227.695
$ 169,986
$ 224.472
$ 224,472
513,921
610,466
559.546
599..546
5,000
11,171
5.000
5.000
219„500
156.515
172.500
147.500
$ 738,421
$ 778,153
$ 737,046
$ 752.046
511.064
514,329
501,532
519,897
237.189
237.188
207,295
207.295
188,548
192.147
175,075
17.5.075
$ 936,801
$ 943,664
$ 883,902
$ 902,267
3,600
4.529
3,600
3,600
95,000
84.217
15,000
15.000
56,000
37.207
45,000
45.000
11,900
14.355
32,000
32.000
59.500
58.648
69.500
69,500
$ 222,400
$ 194,427
$ 161,500
$ 161,500
354,795
354,795
354,795
$ 20,554,096
$ 19.634.479
$ 20.514,222
$ 21,353,088
454,374
276,494
421,875
421,875
140.191
92,585
140,191
140,191
299.913
311,122
256,393
256,393
1.525.361
1,174,411
1,409,788
1,409,788
57.500
57,500
57,500
57,500
$ 23,031,435
$ 21,489,090
$ 22,799,969
$ 23,638,835
73
Town of Bedford, NH - 2007 Annual Report
2008 PROPOSED BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Recreation Unallocated Reserve
Conservation Comm
■ Public Works
■ Building Maint.
■ Police Dept. D 53rd week Payroll
D Other General Govt.
■ Executive
■ Library
D Fund Reserves ■ Insurance
■ Conservation Comm.
■ FireDept.
B Recreation
■ Unallocated Reserve
BEDFORD TAX VALUATIONS/RATES
1993 THROUGH PRESENT
TAX RATE BREAKDOWN
TAXABLE
CHANGE IN
TAX RATE
YEAR
POPULATION
VALUATION
VALUATION
per $1000
TOWN
COUNTY
SCHOOL
STATE ED
1993
12563
1.195,310,400
21,537,536
17.85
2.53
1.86
13.46
1994
12563
1.236,413.255
41,102,855
17.76
2.59
1.76
13.41
1995
12563
1,281.763.269
45,350,014
17.76
2.59
1.90
13.27
1996
12563
1.315,999,904
34,236,635
17.99
2.59
2.00
13.40
1997
12563
1,387,656,824
71,656,920
18.56
2.59
1.87
14.10
1998
12563
1,457,530,853
69,874,029
18.39
2.71
1.77
13.91
1999
16500
1,545,320,034
87,789,181
17.25
2.71
1.72
6.81
6.01
2000
18274
1,643,252,340
97,932,306
18.30
2.71
1.76
8.18
5.65
2001
19205
1,721,025,413
77,773,073
19.11
2.71
1.78
8.46
6.16
2002
19205
1,792,937,256
71,911,843
19.56
3.23
1.79
8.67
5.87
2003
19205
1,846,056,597
53,119,341
20.34
3.29
1.71
9.47
5.87
2004
19205
2,929,901,304
1,083,844,707
15.74
2.50
1.10
9.33
2.81
2005
19205
3,002,978,758
73,077,454
15.44
2.71
1.10
8.94
2.69
2006
19205
3,085,197,931
82,219,173
16.34
2.85
1.08
9.92
2.49
2007
19205
3,117,004.593
31,806,662
18.99
3.67
1.10
11.80
2.42
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79
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Bedford School District
Bedford, New Hampshire
ANNUAL REPORT
(for the year ending June 30, 2007)
2008 ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING
SESSION I (Deliberations)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 7 p.m.
SESSION II (Ballot Vote)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORTS
for the year ending June 30, 2007
DISTRICT OFFICERS
Moderator
Ryk Bullock , , 2010
Clerk
LoriRadke 2010
Treasurer
Peter Herdklotz 2010
School Board
Cindy Chagnon, Chairperson 2009
Sue Thomas, Vice Chairperson 2008
David Sacks 2010
Steve Beals 2008
Terry Wolf 2009
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
School Board's Report 2
Superintendent's Report 4
Memorial School - Principal's Report 7
Peter Woodbury School - Principal's Report 9
Riddle Brook School - Principal's Report 11
McKelvie Middle School - Principal's Report 13
Minutes of the 2007 Annual School District Meeting (Session I) 14
ResuUs of the 2007 Annual School District Ballot Vote (Session II) 20
March 2008 School District Election Ballot 24
2008-2009 Proposed Budget 26
2008-2009 Revenues and Credits 28
2008-2009 Proposed Budget Analysis 29
2008-2009 Proposed Expense and Revenue Analyses 30
Resident School Enrollments 31
Debt Services Schedule 32
Cost for Special Education Programs and Services 33
Expendable Trust Funds 33
Independent Auditor's Report 34
Need to Write or Call? 35
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
REPORT OF THE
BEDFORD SCHOOL BOARD
The 2006-2007 school year was again one of
new challenges, new directions, and great
anticipation as the new high school/middle
school complex neared completion and the
"Light of Learning on the Hill" as some have
referred to this new complex was readied for its
first students. This project will improve the lives
of every student in the Bedford School District
because the reconfiguration of the whole district
addresses the overcrowding in all of the existing
grades K through 8 facilities. The three current
elementary schools will house students through
grade 4, McKelvie Middle School will become
an intermediate school with grades 5-6, and the
new Ross A. Lurgio Middle School will house
grades 7-8.
As McKelvie transitions to an intermediate
school, one of Bedford's traditions occurred for
the last time as the McKelvie Eighth Grade
Graduation was held on Preston Field behind the
school. Since we will now have our own high
school and most eighth-graders will attend
Bedford High School together, the board voted,
upon the recommendation of the administration,
to no longer have elaborate graduations for the
middle school. This graduation also marked the
final farewell to retiring McKelvie Principal Jan
Raudonis who has ably served the district in
many capacities for over twenty-seven years.
Her intelligence, dedication, and graceful
presence will be missed by all who have had the
pleasure of working with her.
As the opening of the new high school
approaches, the School Board has been very
busy with establishing policies and operational
procedures that will be instituted in the building.
The Bedford High School Student/Parent Hand-
book with its rules and regulations as well as the
Honor Code contained in it was developed by
the High School Planning Team, the administra-
tion, and the board. The curriculum offerings or
the Program of Studies was developed by the
High School Planning Team and approved by
the board after much careful scrutiny and study.
Throughout this year, two other volunteer
groups have been very instrumental in helping
the transition to the new schools and district
reconfiguration to occur as smoothly as possible.
These are the Parent Advisory Committees, one
for McKelvie Intermediate School and one for
Bedford High School, that met monthly
throughout the 2006-2007 school year reviewing
many different components of the schools from
co-curricular programs to operational proce-
dures. These committees were composed of
community members, parents, students, school
board members, and administrators. The input,
particularly of the community members, parents,
and students, has been very helpful in making
the transitions to these schools easier for all
involved. The School Board would like to thank
the members of these committees for all of their
time and effort.
The School Board would also like to thank the
newly formed Bedford Education Foundation
(BEF) whose mission is to "support academic
excellence in Bedford's public schools by
raising and providing funds for the benefit of its
students." BEF has established a Grants Program
that yearly will award grant money to teachers,
staff, and administrators for ongoing profession-
al development and innovative projects that
enhance the curriculum and refine teaching
practices. The first grants for summer workshops
were awarded to teachers in May 2007.
As the School Board and others anxiously
awaited the fall 2007 opening of the new
schools' complex, a sub-committee of the board
dedicated many hours to researching the best
method of improving the traffic access options
to the middle school/high school, especially
when there are more student drivers as the
eleventh and twelfth grades are added to the
high school. After the voters overwhelmingly
defeated the connector road plan linking
Wallace and Nashua Roads as the secondary
access to the schools' site, the board formed a
subcommittee composed of board members
Steve Beals and David Sacks, Superintendent
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Tim Mayes, and Chief Financial Officer Marie
Conrad to careftilly research the most viable
options. In March 2007, the voters approved
repurposing money remaining from the
connector road study to hire professional traffic
consultants to continue the study and determine
actual costs for the preferred options. Councilor
Mike Izbicki also agreed to join the committee
as the liaison from the Bedford Town Council.
As the School Board moves forward to the
2007-2008 school year, there is always much
more work to be done. The board reinstituted the
Bedford Curriculum Committee in June 2007 to
study how effectively all aspects of the
curriculum are being instituted in our schools.
This committee, headed by Assistant Superin-
tendent Chip McGee, is composed of teachers,
staff, administrators, parents, and board
members Terry Wolf and Cindy Chagnon. This
committee meets monthly and reviews present
curriculum practices as well as planned changes
in policy and practice. Their recommendations
are then presented to the School Board for final
approval.
The board also hired a firm to do a security
analysis for all of the schools in the district to
see what can be done to make the buildings safer
and more secure. Although there have never
really been any security incidents in the past in
Bedford, the board wanted to be proactive in
addressing this issue.
All of us on the Bedford School Board, Sue
Thomas, David Sacks, Steve Beals, Terry Wolf,
and myself, Cindy Chagnon, would like to thank
all of the dedicated employees of the Bedford
School District for all that they do every day to
improve the lives and the education of all the
children of Bedford. Thank you also to the
citizens of Bedford for your support of the
educational needs of our schools and under-
standing how vital an excellent educational
system is for our children, our town, our state,
and our nation.
Respectflilly submitted,
Cindy Chagnon, Chairperson
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The 2006/07 school year was historic for the
Bedford School District. After years of planning
and hard work by many people, the district made
significant strides in completing the construction
project that included a new middle school and
high school facility. This construction will allow
the district to address its crowded grades Kinder-
garten through 8 facilities and to begin educating
its high school students in Bedford.
The district continues to use student perform-
ance data to assist staff in designing instruction
and establishing benchmarks for student growth.
This performance data is also used as one factor
in determining the district's professional devel-
opment programming. It was through these
efforts and the consistent, high quality
instruction and support by our professional and
support staff that our grades Kindergarten
through 8 students met or exceeded their
expected academic growth as measured by the
Northwest Evaluation Assessment (NWEA)
Program.
Construction Project/Facilities
A significant milestone this year was the near
completion of the Ross A. Lurgio Middle School
and Bedford High School. The facilities and the
site work will continue through the summer in
preparation for the 2007/08 school year. These
new facilities will provide the community with
additional resources and the schools with
additional capacity. Since the 2000/01 school
year, our student enrollment in grades
Pre/Kindergarten through 8 has increased by 452
students, from 2,614 to 3,066. With the opening
of Bedford High School in the fall of 2007 and
current growth in grades Pre/Kindergarten
through 8, we expect the district enrollment to
exceed 4,700 students when the high school has
all four grades in the fall of 2010.
For most of this year, the board has studied
improved access options to the middle
school/high school. In March 2006, voters
defeated a warrant article 1 ,7 1 1 to 2,702 for a
connector road linking Wallace and Nashua
Roads to provide a second access to the high
school/middle school site. As a result, the school
board formed a committee to study additional
traffic approaches to the high school/middle
school to make recommendations to the full
school board in 2007/08. After 18 months of
research, the committee, which was comprised
of board members Steve Beals and David Sacks,
Chief Financial Officer Mark Conrad, Town
Council Liaison Mike Izbicki, and Superin-
tendent of Schools Tim Mayes, narrowed the
viable options from seven to three:
1 . A driveway to Wallace Road
2. A driveway through Chestnut Drive to NH
Route 101 with a signalized intersection.
3. A signalized intersection at Nashua Road
and NH Route 101 with an emergency
access road via Chestnut Drive.
In March 2007, voters approved repurposing the
remaining design funds for the connector road to
be used to further study other options. With this
approval, the committee recommended to the
fijll school board that these three options be
more fully studied by a traffic engineering firm
and that a full report be made to the community
in the fall of 2007. With this additional study
and information, these options could be evaluat-
ed for possible consideration as part of the town
and school district budget process for 2008.
Parent Advisory Committees
The school board established two Parent
Advisory Committees, one for Bedford High
School and one for McKelvie Intermediate
School, for the purpose of providing feedback to
the administration and staff on:
1. the transition of the students to the new
school;
2. school structures, programs, curriculum, and
schedules; and
3. other tasks as may be assigned by the
chairperson.
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Both committees met monthly throughout the
2006/07 school year to review the development
of the schools, and co-curricular programs. The
committees provided input on policies and a
voice for parents and the community to the
administration. This was constructive in plan-
ning for the opening of these new schools. We
owe deep gratitude to the members of each
committee who volunteered their time to help
with the planning of the reconfiguration of our
schools.
Measurable Goals
In 2006/07, all teachers in the district again set
measurable goals for their students. These goals,
established by teams of teachers at a given grade
level or for a given pod at the middle school,
were based upon annual assessments such as the
Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)
Measure of Academic Progress or other
standardized measures. Teachers established
S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable,
realistic, and timed) goals. At the end of the
year, teachers evaluated student progress on
these goals. Although it is unrealistic for every
student to reach every goal every year, as a
district our students grew significantly. As
measured by NWEA, 52 of the 70 groups of
students met or exceeded growth expectations.
This includes students across all range of
abilities in grades 3 through 8 for math, reading
and language usage. This data provides our staff
with a clear picttire of the instructional needs of
our students.
Summer Curriculum Institute
In the summer of 2007, the district held its third
Summer Curriculum Institute. Thirty-two teach-
ers participated during the week long institute,
which provides a structured opportunity for
teachers to revise the curriculum. Teachers
worked in small teams across schools, subject
areas, and grade levels. In 2007, teachers
prepared the language arts program for imple-
mentation in kindergarten, reviewed science
instruction in grades 1 through 4, restructured
the science and social studies units in grade 4,
streamlined an integrated unit in grade 5, and
developed an immigration unit that combined
social studies and language arts in grade 8. The
revisions were done with support from the
instructional specialist for math and science, the
instructional specialist for language arts and
social studies, and a technology integration
specialist. These district summer institutes
provide valuable time for our staff to collabor-
ate, critically review and revise our curriculum,
and provide students with aligned curriculum
and assessments.
Recruiting and Retaining Professional and
Support Staff
In March 2007, the voters approved the third
year of a three-year negotiated contract with the
Bedford Education Association (BEA),
Bedford's teachers' association. The contract
allows us to compete with surrounding districts
in attracting and retaining high quality staff The
contract also moderates increases for health
insurance through cost sharing with employees.
Voters also approved the second of a three-year
contract with the Bedford Education Support
Staff Association (BESSA), Bedford's custodian
and maintenance association; and the second
year of a three-year contract with the Bedford
Education Personnel Association (BEPA), which
includes secretaries, clerks, instructional teach-
ing assistants, and kitchen staff. All the agree-
ments included increased employee health
insurance cost sharing.
This year also marked the first Bedford School
District Job Fair, attended by over 300 pro-
spective employees, held at Riddle Brook
School in February 2007. Director of Human
Resources Carol Sideris provided the district
with much needed direction and expertise. With
over 150 positions to fill with the opening of
Bedford High School and the district grade
reconfiguration, district staff worked hard to
recruit and hire quality people for adminis-
trative, professional, and support positions.
Much of our time this year was spent recruiting,
interviewing, and observing these candidates so
that we could ensure a good fit with our district.
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Management/Labor Health Insurance Study
Committee
In October 2006, a Management/Labor Health
Insurance Study Committee, commissioned by
the school board, began to research health
insurance programs, market options, and
industry trends.
As a result of the investigation by the study
committee, the board was provided information
to develop strategies for employee medical
insurance for the next contract negotiation
sessions. Completing the investigation/study
process cooperatively with representatives of the
district's employee bargaining units provided a
common understanding of potential options. The
committee completed its work in May, and made
a formal presentation and report to the school
board in June 2007.
Recognition
The Bedford School Board has served this
community well through countless hours of
board meetings, work sessions, and committee
work, in addition to time spent with the
community listening to opinions and discussing
educational concerns. In recent years, the
demands placed on the board members have led
to an increased commitment of time, and has
resulted in significant improvements in the
district: successful completion on the middle
school/high school construction project, and a
productive transition to a new grade configura-
tion beginning in the fall of 2007. I would
personally like to thank the current and past
board members for their service to the district. It
is through the board's efforts that the Bedford
School District can best align itself with the
vision and expectations of the community.
It is also important to recognize the contribution
made by our school volunteers. The Bedford
School District has been recognized by the NH
Partners in Education as a "Blue Ribbon" school
district because of the high degree of volun-
teerism in its schools. We are fortunate to be
able to tap this rich resource. Our students and
staff benefit from the school volunteers' service,
caring attitude and knowledge.
No educational organization can achieve its
goals without the dedication of administrators,
teachers, paraprofessionals, food service person-
nel, custodians and maintenance staff, nurses,
secretaries and clerks, technology support,
committed and curious students, and supportive
taxpayers. In the final analysis, it is the people,
their relationships and accomplishments that
define the organization, not the facilities. We are
fortunate to have talented, generous individuals
who make our school district a great place to
work and learn.
Finally, I want to recognize Jan Raudonis,
Principal of the McKelvie Middle School, who
retired in June, 2007 after twenty-seven years of
quality service to the Bedford School District as
a teacher and administrator. Principal Raudonis
provided sensitive and vital leadership for
McKelvie 's students, parents and faculty
throughout her tenure.
Communication
I encourage all of Bedford citizens to share with
me their ideas, feedback, and/or compliments of
our staff and students. We welcome you into our
schools to visit and/or to volunteer. Our website
is rich in information about our school district.
Please visit us at www.sau25.net. The more you
know what is happening in your schools and the
more feedback we receive from the community,
the better our schools can become.
RespectftiUy submitted,
Timothy K. Mayes
Superintendent of Schools
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
MEMORIAL SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Memorial School prides itself on being a school
community that fosters respect, safety, caring,
and a commitment to excellence in education.
As a result, it's an exciting place for children to
learn and staff members to work. Daily Morning
Meetings provide an opportunity for teachers
and students to greet each other, share
information, participate in a team-building or
academic activity, and review the morning
message that may highlight the agenda for the
day and/or special events or accomplishments.
Monthly All School Meetings provide us with
the opportunity to come together as a school to
celebrate the learning and accomplishments of
students and staff.
During the year, the Memorial staff continued its
focus on ensuring that all students grow in their
literacy skills of reading, thinking, and writing.
Based on the analysis of a variety of assessments
including the Northwest Evaluation Association
(NWEA) assessments, teachers are able to
design targeted instruction that is academically
challenging. Our teachers also continue to
engage in professional conversations focused on
improving students' writing, reading compre-
hension, and mathematical reasoning. Curri-
culum implementation and monitoring students'
academic growth continue to be a top priority.
The Memorial School staff recognizes the
important role that parents play as our partners
in education. In an effort to reach out to parents,
the staff sponsored Fall Into Learning: Family
Math and Literacy Night. This event provided
parents with an opportunity to learn more about
our reading, writing, and math curricula by
participating in hands on learning opportunities
with their children. Parents also had an
opportunity to learn more about the Everyday
Math Program by attending an informative
presentation given by Jo Hendry, the district's
Instructional Specialist for Math and Science.
We are thankfial for the many hours our parent
volunteers contribute to our school. Their work
enhances the learning of our students. We
proudly received our seventeenth Blue Ribbon
Achievement Award in recognition for the time
and dedication of Memorial School volunteers.
The first phase of our playground revitalization
is complete. During recess students have fun
climbing Memorial Mountain, running on our
fitness track, and climbing up the chimney
climb, climbing wall and peg climb. They also
enjoy sliding down the large custom made slides
that were mounted in the sides of the mountain.
More trees were planted and in a few years they
will bring some much needed shade to our
playground. We are gratefiil to the Parent
Teacher Group (PTG), parents, and area
businesses that continue to help our playground
dream become a reality.
Our fourth and tifth graders participated in
an Artist-in-Residence program with potter,
Rob Rossel. Students built clay bowls that were
glazed and fired. They used their bowls at a
culminating celebration where each student
made and enjoyed an ice cream sundae.
Memorial School received the Creative Commu-
nication's Poetic Achievement Award in the fall
of 2006. This award is given to schools whose
students' entries to the poetry contest were of
exceptionally high merit. Thirty-six student
poems were accepted for publication.
Spring Fling brings the Memorial School
community together for a fun-filled evening. To
prepare for the event, staff, students, families
and area businesses create unique baskets filled
with various items. On the day of the event,
families and the staff have an opportunity to
enjoy a wonderfiil dinner sponsored by
Carrabba's. The fun continues as those in
attendance take a chance to win one of the many
donated baskets. Proceeds from this event are
used to help fund our Artist-in-Residence
program and the playground revitalization
project.
We are pleased to highlight the accomplish-
ments of several of our teachers. Anne Rogers,
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
our music teacher, was nominated for New
Hampshire Teacher of the Year, an honor that is
well deserved. Over the years Anne has done
much to provide elementary school students
with a diverse and enriching music experience.
Anne, along with colleagues Leslie Fredette and
Martha Westlund, has provided a vision for our
many Artist-in-Residence programs. In addition,
she has selflessly given countless hours to
ensure the success of our playground initiative.
Two of our teachers, Andrea Campbell and
Denise Foumier, were recipients of the first
Bedford Education Foundation (BEF) Teacher
Grants.
Memorial School had five Destination
ImagiNation (DI) Teams compete at the regional
DI Competition. Ellie Schwartz, our school
librarian, was responsible for coordinating this
enrichment opportunity for our students.
Members of the teams had fun working with
peers to present creative solutions to this year's
challenges.
Our students also had an opportunity to display
their creativity when their inventions and Rube
Goldberg Machines were showcased at our
school's Invention Convention. The following
winners displayed their inventions and Rube
Goldberg Machines at the state Young Inventors
Convention: Shay Evans, Colleen Keyes,
Micaela Healy, Merrell Readman, Julianna
Heneage, Erika Proulx, Mellissa Baroff, Lyena
Birkenstock, and Emily Costello.
Karam Sandu was Memorial's Spelling Bee and
Geography Bee winner. He represented our
school at the Manchester Area Spelling Bee and
the state level Geography Bee at Keene State
College.
As always, we are thankftil for a supportive
community including: the Bedford School
Board, central office administrators, the PTG,
our volunteers, local businesses, and the Bedford
taxpayers. Without your dedication and support,
we would not be able to provide excellence in
education for our children. In conclusion, I want
to recognize the collaborative efforts of my
administrative colleagues and their staffs as we
worked collaboratively to transition to a new
district grade configuration for 2007/08.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Ilg, Principal
The end of the school year was bittersweet for
the Memorial School staff and many of our
students and their parents. We said so long to
both fourth and fifth grade students as they
moved to the newly created McKelvie
Intermediate School. We also said a fond
farewell to our fifth grade staff members:
Debbie Kelly, Kathy Medeiros, Marie Alsup,
Lisa Smith, Becky Kelliher, and Caitlin Fossum.
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
PETER WOODBURY SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
The mission of the Peter Woodbury School is to
integrate teaching, learning and caring in our
community. We strive to cultivate an environ-
ment that fosters academic excellence, respects
diversity, and builds a foundation for lifelong
learning. Curriculum and assessment initiatives
by all educators focus on defining and achieving
high standards of learning and instruction. The
use of technology supports curriculum integra-
tion by creating innovative teaching and learning
experiences that blend with academic standards.
Highlights of the school year included ...
Curriculum/Assessment
Using the results of the Northwest Evaluation
Association (NWEA) and other assessment
programs, all grade levels set measurable goals
for academic programs and student instruction.
An example of this is that our school's fifth
grade teachers designed an instructional program
that involved all of their students in lessons that
focused on number operations standards.
Differentiated instruction, flexible grouping and
shared teacher planning sessions were key
instructional techniques that contributed to the
success of this grade level goal, as well as the
academic growth of each student.
During this academic year, the "Reading
Streets" program was piloted successfully in one
kindergarten classroom.
New teachers were supported by the district's
Mentor Program, where veteran teachers guided
our new staff through curriculum and assess-
ment expectations, while orienting them to grade
level, school and district standards and proce-
dures.
Responsive Classroom
A positive school climate and culture has been
established through the implementation of the
strategies and beliefs of the "Responsive Class-
room Program." Staff and students use the
strands of this program to build the positive
culture and community that you find in our
school. Our teachers have found that using this
program has brought together the academic and
social curriculum. Teachers, with their students,
have daily morning meetings where they greet
each other and share news and announcements
for that day. The different component areas of
"Responsive Classroom" include: Morning
Meeting, Rules and Logical Consequences,
Guided Discovery, Academic Choice, Class-
room Organization and Family Communica-
tion. Using each of these strands helps maintain
a respectful culture where students strive to do
their best, become a productive community
member, and feel safe at school.
School Safety
The Peter Woodbury School's Crisis Manage-
ment Team discussed school security and safety
issues on a monthly basis. It also monitored the
emergency drills that our staff and students
practiced at our school. In addition to the ten fire
drills that we practice every year, our staff and
students practiced lock downs, shelter in place,
reverse evacuations and drop drills. Teachers
prepared the children at morning meetings and
practiced with the children from a standpoint of
safety to reduce and/or eliminate anxiety. Our
children have been highly praised for their
behavior during these drills - both by our staff
members and the local authorities.
Recognition
Teachers Claire Jeffrey, Diane Lonergan,
Rosemary Nunnally, Donna Beecher, Lisa
Lindsey, and Connie Roberge were named to
Wlio 's Who Among America 's Teachers. The
"NH Presidential Awards" recognizes teachers
who can serve as role models for their
colleagues. In December, grade four teacher
Kris Possee was recognized as a recipient of the
"NH Presidential Award for Excellence in
Mathematics Teaching," and grade two teacher
Rosemary Nunnally was recognized as a
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
recipient of the "NH Presidential Award for
Excellence in Science Teaching." In May,
Rosemary Nunnally was named the "NH
Presidential Science Teacher of the Year" and
was recognized by the President of the United
States in a ceremony at the White House.
Volunteer Program
In October, the NH Partners in Education
Program recognized Peter Woodbury School's
Volunteer Program as it received its seventeenth
Blue Ribbon Achievement Award for its exem-
plary partnership between parents, community
members, teachers and staff
In its last year at our school, Peter Woodbury
School's Community Action Team (CAT)
involved all of our fifth grade students in
outreach programs. The students are challenged
to assist their school, town, state, country and
world communities. Student projects included
food and clothing drives, a recycling program,
visits to the residents of Harborside Healthcare,
and volunteering for the N.H. Special Olympics
organization. The CAT team was coordinated by
fifth grade teacher Ginny Toland.
The Peter Woodbury School's Student Council,
coordinated by fifth grade teacher Cathy Fields,
provided our students with an experience in
governance and school/community service.
Under the direction of grade two teacher Connie
Roberge, staff members, volunteers and students
enhanced and maintained the Habitat Garden
and other areas of our school grounds. Students
in grades kindergarten through 4 designed,
planted, and harvested their respective grade
level gardens that are themed after a curriculum
area. Kindergarteners tended a Jack-in-the-
Beanstalk garden, first graders a Peter Rabbit
garden, second graders a Butterfly garden, third
graders a Bat garden, and fourth graders a Bird
Garden. They enriched their knowledge in these
subject areas while developing an apprecia-
tion for the natural world around us.
Bedford businesses, the Bedford Parent Teacher
Group (PTG), and other support organizations
enhanced learning and instruction through dona-
tions to special projects, classroom resources,
and student visitations. We have also established
school/business partnership relationships with
the Bedford Mall and the Bedford Target store.
I conclude by expressing my appreciation to the
Peter Woodbury staff, the Bedford School
Board, administrators, central office staff, the
PTG, parents, and community members for their
dedication to academics, learning and children.
Our students deserve a special thank you for
putting their effort into overcoming challenges
and reaching their highest potential.
Respectfully submitted
Kenneth Williams, Principal
10
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
RIDDLE BROOK SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
It is with great pride that I deHver this report on
behalf of Riddle Brook School. During the
2006/2007 school year, the students of Riddle
Brook School were part of a learning community
where the importance of academic achievement,
personal growth, and the respect of community
were paramount. With the use of research-based
curricula, data analysis, formative and summa-
tive assessments, integrated technology, and
experiential learning, our students continued to
grow in their thinking and learning skills.
The delivery of curriculum and instruction is the
key to providing students with a solid found-
ation of skills and the desire to expand their
thinking and knowledge base. Teachers in
kindergarten through grade five presented solid
language arts instruction. Open Court was fully
implemented in grades one through four, with
Scott Foresman being piloted in kindergarten
and grade five. In terms of mathematics,
Eveiyday Mathematics was fully implemented in
kindergarten through grade three, with two pilot
classes in grade four. Additionally, our special
educators, reading support personnel, and
S.E.E.D. (Students Experiencing Educational
Diversity) teacher were trained in these
programs and provided our students with
additional instrucdon appropriate to their indivi-
dual levels and needs.
Over the summer, a number of our teachers
worked on the district's science and social
studies units. This work ensured that our
students received instruction that aligned with
state and district standards. Our students
benefited a great deal from hands-on, experi-
ential learning in science and social studies.
Some highlights of the year included, animals
and their habitats in grade one, metamorphosis
in grade two, the solar system in grade three.
New Hampshire history in grade four, and the
Iditarod in grade five.
In the area of writing, we were fortunate to have
had two of our teachers, Kathy Effenberger and
Jennifer Paguyo, apply and receive a grant
through the Bedford Education Foundation. This
grant afforded them the opportunity to attend a
weeklong workshop at Columbia University on
the topic of Lucy Calkins' Writers' Workshop.
The teachers found the knowledge and applica-
tion gained at this workshop invaluable. To
quote Mrs. Effenberger, "Honestly, adopting
Writers' Workshop has been one of the best
things I've ever done as a second grade
teacher. The enthusiasm the students are show-
ing for writing is amazing. One of my students
was working with another Riddle Brook School
teacher last month and told her that his favorite
part of the day is writing time because he is a
real author who can write books. There are
actually audible groans when we have to cancel
writing Ume because of a scheduling conflict!"
In addition, Mrs. Effenberger and Mrs. Paguyo
led grade level and school based workshops on
the philosophy and application of the program.
They continue to work with their colleagues in
honing their instructional skills in the area of
writing using this program.
We continue to use the Responsive Classroom
approach in all of our classrooms at Riddle
Brook School. This approach emphasizes social,
emotional and academic growth in a strong and
safe school community. The goal of any Respon-
sive Classroom school is to facilitate optimal
student learning. Because of this commitment,
Kathleen Brennan, a fourth grade teacher at
Riddle Brook School, began the Consulting
Teacher Certification program. Once certified,
Mrs. Brennan will be able to provide Responsive
Classroom Level I training and ongoing support
of classroom implementation to our school and
district employees.
In addition to the wonderful accomplishments
by our students and staff within the classroom,
we also had many things to be proud of outside
of the school day. Following Hurricane Katrina
in September of 2005, several Riddle Brook
School teachers located a school in D'Iberville,
Mississippi that needed help. This group of
teachers organized fundraising efforts over the
last two years, ultimately donating supplies to
the school in Mississippi. As a culminating
event, during the summer of 2006, ten Riddle
Brook School teachers traveled to Biloxi,
11
Bedford School District - 2007 Amwal Report
Mississippi where they worked and helped to not
only rebuild the Sacred Heart School and one of
its teacher's homes, but also lived and worked
with Hands On Network, which is an organiza-
tion doing important work in the Biloxi area.
This is an effort that highlights the caring and
giving spirit found at Riddle Brook School.
As in past years, we had a wonderftil partnership
with our Parent Teacher Group (PTG) and
parent volunteers at Riddle Brook School. We
were fortunate to have parents in our classrooms
assisting our teachers with events such as. It 's a
Gas, Math Superstars, and Junior Great Books.
As a result. Riddle Brook School was awarded
the New Hampshire Partners in Education Pro-
gram's Blue Ribbon Achievement Award for
our outstanding school volunteer program. I
would like to extend a sincere "thank you" to all
of our parents and community members who
have, and continue to, volunteer in our school!
We had three exciting evening events at Riddle
Brook School in the winter and spring of 2007.
In January, our Math Night was a big hit with
students, parents and staff members. It was a
wonderful opportunity for students to teach their
parents the various "math games" that they play
in the classroom as a reinforcement of math
skills taught in our Everyday Mathematics
program. In March, we broke up the winter
doldrums by having Family Movie Night, spon-
sored by our C.A.R.E. (Community Advocating
Riddle Brook Excellence) Team. Riddle Brook
School students and their families were invited
to our multipurpose room to watch the original
version of Herbie the Love Bug. In May, we had
our annual Family Fun Night. During this
exciting evening, participants were able to bid
on baskets put together by individual classrooms
at Riddle Brook School, participate in a "Cake
Walk" to sponsor our Destination ImagiNation
team, have their faces painted, dance to a DJ and
eat popcorn and ice cream sundaes. Money
raised at this event was designated toward future
Artist in Residence endeavors.
Although we are proud of the accomplishments
of all our students, we had several Riddle Brook
School students compete in local, regional and
national competitions. In January, Max Vivado
was the winner of Riddle Brook School's
National Geographic Bee, and Colin Delano was
the winner of our Geography Bee of the U.S.A.
In February, Charlie Minicucci won the Riddle
Brook School 2007 Spelling Bee contest, and
went on to the regional competition in March.
Also in March, Michael Brown participated in,
and won, Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls
Club's One Act Playwriting Contest. Michael's
play was entitled, "After the Holidays." He and
sixteen of his Riddle Brook School fourth grade
peers presented the play to our school, as well as
at the Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club
Theater.
Once again. Riddle Brook School had a number
of students participate in Destination Imagi-
Nation. Our third grade team of David Kassler,
Abby Hibbard, Brionne Frazier, Zack Ruben-
stein, Kayla Steinberg and Silas Jackson went on
to compete in the regional competition. Our
fourth grade team of Ryan Whittenberg, Brinnay
Frazier, Tim Philbin, Adam Stone and Duncan
Cate placed second in the regional competition
and went on to compete in the state finals. Our
fifth grade team of Lydia Lawrence, Rachel
Collins, Jackie Valeri, Jessie Dalrymple, Emma
Lynch, and Jenna Lecours competed in the
national competition at the University of
Tennessee, placing in the top twenty.
The mission of Riddle Brook School is to create
a safe, respectful and responsive environment
where each child can share the joy of lifelong
learning together with school, home and
community members. We are committed to
academic excellence as we inspire our students
to achieve to their highest potential and to be
contributing members of society. It is because of
the talent, dedication and partnership of our
teachers, staff members, central office adminis-
trators, school board, district level colleagues,
parents, and community members that we are
able to provide this commitment to our students.
Respectfully submitted,
Molly McCarthy,
Asst. Principal (2006/07)
12
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
McKELVIE MIDDLE SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
The 2006/2007 school year marked the end of an
era. The McKelvie Middle School graduated its
final class and was given a new name for the
2007/08 school year: McKelvie Intermediate
School. The intermediate school was formed to
house the 5 th and 6th grade students and the
Ross A. Lurgio Middle School was built for the
7th and 8th graders. Although this was its last
year as a middle school, the students and staff of
McKelvie made it a fantastic year.
McKelvie used several points of data to drive
curriculum and instruction. In the fall, all
students participated in the New England
Common Assessment Program (NECAP). All
three grades also participated in the Northwest
Evaluation Association's (NWEA) Measure of
Academic Progress in the spring. Teachers
combined the data from these formalized tests
with their own observations and assessments to
create curriculum that is most effective for their
students.
McKelvie's commitment to community service
and charity is unwavering. Local Marines were
presented over 1,000 toys for the "Toys for
Tots" drive at a heartwarming rally. Staff and
students celebrated their patriotism and spirit of
giving. Students collected clothing for Child and
Family Services. This successful drive resulted
in the collection of truckloads of clothing. The
FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community
Leaders of America), Band, and Chorus students
conducted a very successful food drive during
the annual winter concert benefiting the New
Horizons Food Pantry. Faculty members raised
funds and awareness of the Special Olympics by
taking part in the annual "Penguin Plunge." This
dip is in the frigid Atlantic Ocean and is the
culmination of months of fundraising. All funds
directly benefit the Bedford Bobcats Special
Olympic Team.
Opportunities for student achievement and
service learning extended beyond the classroom.
Along with the traditional athletic teams,
students at McKelvie excelled in local and state
competitions including: Technology Students
Association Conference, MathCounts, First
Lego Robotics, New Hampshire State Geogra-
phy Bee, and the Manchester District Spelling
Bee.
The community continued to support McKelvie
with their time and funds. The Brindisi Relays, a
day of racing sponsored by the Bedford Rotary
Club, presented the McKelvie Science Depart-
ment with a check for $4,300. ILevel by Weyer-
haeuser awarded the McKelvie Mount Cardigan
Program $5,000 to be used to enhance the
communication system that is used on the
mountain.
Reflecting on McKelvie Middle School's final
year, I can't help but be completely impressed
with the diligence, spirit, brilliance, and
generosity of the students, staff and families. I
thank the community, parents, school board,
central office, and especially the students for
making the last year of McKelvie the best one.
Respectfully submitted,
Edward Joyce
Asst. Principal (2006/07)
13
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
2007 ANNUAL SCHOOL
DISTRICT MEETING
Session I - Deliberations
February 6, 2007
The Bedford School District Deliberative
Session I was held on Tuesday, February 6,
2007 at McKelvie Middle School. School
District Moderator Ryk Bullock opened the
session at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Bullock led attendees
in the Pledge of Allegiance. Moderator Bullock
introduced those seated on the platform:
Superintendent Tim Mayes, Chief Financial
Officer Mark Conrad, Assistant Superintendent
Chip McGee, School Board Chairperson Cindy
Chagnon, Vice Chair Sue Thomas, Board
member David Sacks, Board member Steve
Beals, School District Counsel Kathy Peahl,
School District Clerk Pro-temp Edith
Schmidtchen, and recording clerk Christie
Moore.
Moderator Bullock introduced retiring Officer
Roland Latulippe and recognized his many years
of service to the Bedford community. Chair-
person Chagnon thanked Mr. Latulippe for his
dedication. Mr. Latulippe said his service to the
community would continue even in retirement.
He thanked everyone for their kind wishes.
Moderator Bullock expressed thanks to Kathy
Van Anglen and his staff for their work and
support. He also thanked the McKelvie custodial
staff, Bedford Highway Department, Bedford
Police Department, and Bedford Fire Depart-
ment for their assistance.
The rules of the meeting were explained by
Mr. Bullock. He announced that he had received
petitions for vote by secret ballot on Articles II,
III, and X, unless petitioners agreed to withdraw.
Mr. Bullock proceeded to read Article I:
ARTICLE I. [Election of officials.) To elect
all necessaiy school district officials. (Vote by
official ballot.)
Moderator Bullock stated the election would be
held March 13* at McKelvie Middle School. He
next read Article II:
ARTICLE II. [Funding Bondable Start-up
Costs! (Special Warrant Article) Shall the
school district raise and appropriate the sum of
Two Million Seven Hundred Fifteen Thousand
Four Hundred Twenty Two Dollars($2,7 15,422)
(Gross Budget) for the purpose of purchasing
bondable capital furniture, frst year equipment,
athletic field grandstands and the initial library
collection necessary to furnish and equip the
new high school/middle school; and, in order to
finance said project, shall the district authorize
the issuance of bonds or notes of not more than
the total amount of Two Million Seven Hundred
Fifteen Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Two
Dollars ($2,715,422) for such purposes in
accordance with the provisions of the Municipal
Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33); and shall the
district authorize the school board to issue and
negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine
the rates of interest thereon and the maturities
and other terms thereof; and, furthermore, shall
the district raise and appropriate by general
taxation the sum of Sixty Nine Thousand Five
Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($69,525) for the
first year's principal and interest payments?
(The school board recommends a "yes" vote
upon this question.) (3/5ths ballot vote required.)
Chairperson Chagnon offered an explanation of
Article II for the benefit of those who were not
at the budget and bond hearing. She said the
Board and administration had been searching for
a way to lower the tax rate during the year the
high school would be opened. She said the bond
option would mitigate a tax spike. A significant
portion of the start-up costs could be bonded.
The bond would allow the district to buy
furniture and equipment all at once which saves
the district money in the long run. Ms. Chagnon
said the Board wanted to bond the grandstands
as the expense was not included in the initial
budget. She said library books could also be
purchased with the bond. She said the Board
hoped the public would vote for the bond. The
tax impact if the start-up costs are bonded is 2
cents. If the start-up costs are included in the
operating budget, the tax impact will be 83
cents. Ms. Chagnon said the 10-year bond rate
would be 4.85%. The second year tax impact
would be 10 cents, then decline annually for the
remainder of the bond;
14
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Moderator Bullock proceeded in reading Article
III.
ARTICLE III. [Study and design of high
school/middle school secondary access.]
(Special Warrant Article) (Non-Lapsing for
three years) Shall the school district raise and
appropriate Ninety Seven Thousand Seven
Hundred and Six Dollars ($97,706) to study,
design and/or engineer improved/additional
traffic approaches to the high school/middle
school? (The school board recommends a "yes "
vote upon this question.) (Majority ballot vote
required.)
Board member David Sacks explained that in
2005 an Article approving money to study a
proposed connector road was approved. The
study of the proposed connector road failed. Mr.
Sacks said Article III would repurpose the
remaining funds from that 2005 Article to study
the design of secondary access to the new school
site. Mr. Sacks noted that this Article did not
impact the tax rate.
Paul MacEwen, 22 Moore's Crossing: Mr.
MacEwen asked if a secondary access road was
needed since the entrance road was wide enough
for emergency vehicles to get through if needed.
Mr. Sacks said secondary access was necessary
in a situation where the primary access was
blocked by traffic. Mr. Sacks said secondary
access helps alleviate traffic at the site as well.
Paul MacEwen, Sr., 300 South River Road: Mr.
MacEwen asked if a 3/5 ballot vote would be
required for this Article since the Moderator had
a petition for secret ballot vote on this Article.
Mr. Bullock said the petition for secret ballot
only applied to a vote taken during the
deliberative session.
Mr. Bullock proceeded to read the Articles.
ARTICLE IV. [Negotiated salary increase
for the teaching staff.] Shall the school district
raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred
Fifty-Six Thousand Six Hundred Eighteen
Dollars ($556,618) to fund those additional cost
items related to the third year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Association for the 2007/2008 school
year which resulted from negotiations with the
teachers and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2006/2007 salaries, fi'inge
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
There being no discussion. Moderator Bullock
moved to the next article.
ARTICLE V [Conditional article for teach-
ing staff salaries.[ Shall the school district, if
Article IV is defeated, authorize the school
board to call one special meeting, at its option,
to address Article IV cost items only? (The
school board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
There being no discussion. Moderator Bullock
moved to the next article.
ARTICLE VI. [Negotiated salary increase
for the custodial/maintenance staff.| Shall the
school district raise and appropriate the sum of
Thirty Six Thousand Three Hundred Thirteen
Dollars ($36,3 IS) to fund those additional cost
items related to the third year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Support Staff Association for the
2007/2008 school year which resulted from
negotiations with the custodial and maintenance
staff and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2006/2007 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
There being no discussion. Moderator Bullock
moved to the next article.
ARTICLE VII. [Conditional article for the
custodial/maintenance staff salaries.] Shall
the school district, if Article VI is defeated,
authorize the school board to call one special
meeting, at its option, to address Article VI cost
items only? (The school board recommends a
"yes" vote upon this question.) (Majority ballot
vote required.)
15
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
There being no discussion. Moderator Bullock
moved to the next article.
ARTICLE VIII. [Negotiated salary increase
for tlie secretaries, clerlis, instructional teach-
ing assistants, and Icitchen staff.] Shall the
school district raise and appropriate the sum of
One Hundred Fifteen Thousand Eight Hundred
Dollars ($115,800) to fund those additional cost
items related to the second year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Personnel Association for the
2007/2008 school year which resulted from
negotiations with the secretaries, clerks,
instructional teaching assistants, and kitchen
staff and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2006/2007 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
There being no discussion. Moderator Bullock
moved to the next article.
ARTICLE IX. [Conditional article for
secretaries, clerks, instructional teaching
assistants, and kitchen staff salaries.] Shall
the school district, if Article VIII is defeated,
authorize the school board to call one special
meeting, at its option, to address Article VIII
cost items only? (The school board recommends
a "yes" vote upon this question.) (Majority
ballot vote required.)
There being no discussion, Moderator Bullock
moved to the next article.
ARTICLE X. [Operating budget.] If Article II
passes so that the cost of purchasing bondable
capital furniture, first year equipment, athletic
field grandstands and the initial library
collection for the new high school/middle school
is spread over several years by bonding, shall
the school district raise and appropriate as an
operating budget, not including other appro-
priations voted separately, the amounts set forth
on the budget posted with the warrant or as
amended by vote of the first session, for the
purposes set forth therein, totaling Fifty Two
Million Seven Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand
Seven Hundred
($52,768,763)?
Sixty Three Dollars
However, if Article II does not pass, shall the
district's aforesaid operating budget for the
2007/2008 fiscal year be increased by the
amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Fifteen
Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Two Dollars
($2,715,422), which is the amount required to
purchase bondable capital furniture, first year
equipment, athletic field grandstands and the
initial library collection all in one year, and
shall the district therefore raise and appropriate
as an operating budget, not including other
appropriations voted separately, the amounts set
forth on the budget posted with the warrant or
as amended by vote of the first session, for the
purposes set forth therein, plus the additional
$2,715,422, for a total of Fifty Five Million
Four Hundred Eighty Four Thousand One
Hundred Eighty Five Dollars ($55, 484,185).
f Should this Article X be defeated, and Article II
passes so that the cost of purchasing bondable
capital furniture, first year equipment, athletic
field grandstands and the initial library
collection is spread over several years by
bonding, the operating budget shall be Fifty
Million Three Hundred Ten Thousand Three
Hundred Ninety Three Dollars ($50,310,393)
which is the same as last year, with certain
adjustments required by previous action of the
school district or by law, or the governing body
may hold one special meeting, in accordance
with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue
of a revised operating budget only.
However, should this Article X be defeated and
should Article II also be defeated, the operating
budget shall be Fifty One Million Seven
Hundred Sixty Four Thousand Two Hundred
Forty Seven Dollars ($51,764,247) which is the
same as last year, with certain adjustments
required by previous action of the school district
or by law, or the governing body may hold one
special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13,
X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised
operating budget only.] (The school board
recommends a "yes" vote upon this question.)
(Majority ballot vote required.)
16
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Vice Chair Sue Thomas explained that this
Article raised all the money that wasn't included
in the bond. She said once all of the articles have
been voted on, the impact of the vote is added up
to determine the tax rate. This Article states the
costs that could possibly result from the votes on
the budget and bond articles. She said the
original plan of the Board was to put the start-up
costs in the operating budget. However, they
realized that the tax impact could be lessened by
bonding the costs. She said if Article II failed
the furniture and equipment still had to be
purchased. The start-up costs would be put back
into the operating budget if the bond was not
approved. The default budget is included in
Article X to cover the event that the operating
budget fails. The default budget would allow the
opening of the high school, but not the new
middle school. The new middle school would
remain closed until the following year's budget
was approved. Since the district already has
middle school facilities, the students would still
be served in that event. Ms. Thomas said
basically the default budget is the money needed
to run the schools aside from the negotiated
contracts. The increase in the tax rate without
the bond would be $3.32 versus an increase of
$2.49 if the bond is approved.
Paul MacEwen asked the duration of the bond.
Board Chair Chagnon responded the bond was
for 1 0 years.
Beverly Barry, 59 Liberty Hill Road: Ms. Barry
said she thought the start-up costs were included
in the original price of the construction of the
new school. Vice Chair Thomas said there was
an allowance for cabinets and some hardware
only. Ms. Barry asked why the start-up costs
were not included even though the items would
be needed. Chairperson Chagnon said the intent
had been to include the start-up costs in the
operating budget. Board member Sacks explain-
ed that the Board wants to give the residents
another option through bonding the start-up
costs. He said the start-up costs were included in
the proposed first year operating budget when
the high school project was proposed.
Paul Brock, 37 Bracken Circle: Mr. Brock said
he wanted to make a motion to amend Article X.
The amendment read as follows: "change the
amount at the end of paragraph one to
$52,771,263 and change the amount at the end
of the paragraph two to $55,486,685; such
changes increasing the operating budget by the
sum of $2,500; and shall such increases be used
solely for the purpose of increasing the stipend
paid to Bedford School Board members; thereby
increasing said stipend from $250 per annum to
$750 per annum." Moderator Bullock asked if
any one would like to second the motion. The
motion was seconded by . Mr. Brock
said the stipend should be changed as
recognition of the increased responsibility for
Board members resulting from the opening of
the new middle school and high school. Mr.
Brock noted that the New Hampshire state
average for this type of stipend is $820. Mr.
Brock said the tax impact of this increase would
be .00075 per thousand.
Mr. John Graham, 8 Ministerial Circle: Mr.
Graham proposed voting against the stipend
increase. He said the increase should have been
proposed within a Warrant Article.
Mark Stull, 35 Blackbird Drive: Mr. Stull agreed
with Mr. Brock that the stipend was too small.
He said highly qualified people needed to be
attracted to serve on the Board. He said he
supported the amendment. Mr. Stull asked if he
could make a further amendment. Moderator
Bullock said he was required to wait until a vote
had been taken on Mr. Brock's proposed
amendment.
Mr. Brock argued that the deliberative session
was intended for the proposal and discussion of
amendments to the Articles. He said he had
proposed the amendment in an appropriate
manner.
Moderator Bullock asked if the petitioners still
requested a secret ballot. The petitioners
responded that they still wanted a secret ballot.
Mr. Bullock asked members of the press and
unregistered voters to move to one side of the
gym while the vote was taken. Mr. Bullock
announced that any citizen wishing to vote
absentee in the upcoming March election could
do so at the town office without having to go to
17
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
the school district office as well. He said the
ballots should be at the Town Office by
February 15*. He said he hoped this benefited
the residents.
Mr. Bullock requested the ballot box be opened
and inspected. He gave the instructions for the
secret ballot. The vote was taken. The amend-
ment passed by a vote of 46 to 27.
Mark Stull, 35 Blackbird Drive: Mr. StuU made
a motion to amend Article X. The amendment
would increase the budget amounts at the end of
the first and second paragraph by $15,000. The
$15,000 would be solely used to fund studies to
determine the appropriate methods for deter-
mining groups and levels in Bedford High
School. Moderator Bullock asked if any one
wanted to second the motion. Mr. Tom Johnson
seconded the motion. Mr. Stull said he had
attended several School Board sessions where
ability grouping was discussed. He said he was
concerned that appropriate studies still needed to
be done. He said he believed it was important
that education be targeted to the individual
student in a way that best helps them learn. He
said the system of levels Bedford is familiar
with could certainly be improved. He said there
are a number of approaches to leveling. The
decision of how to do it should be based on
statistics and studies. The additional $15,000
would pay for data acquisition or possibly an
assistant.
Pamela Cohen, 22 Quincy Drive: Ms. Cohen
explained that she had chaired the Bedford High
School Curriculum Research Committee. She
said grouping was researched for BHS. She said
she did not support the motion. The committee's
research determined a flexible program that
would allow for more or fewer levels to be
offered to best meet the needs of the students.
She said she did not believe there was a more
effective way to study grouping for BHS until
the students were in classes.
Phil Bruno, Beech Street: Mr. Bruno said he also
served on the same committee with Ms. Cohen.
He said they extensively studied various leveling
options. He said micromanaging should not be
done in this matter. He said as a parent of a
Manchester West High School student, he
observed that the levels there did not serve the
students well.
Ken Hawkins, 1 Barrington Drive: Mr. Hawkins
said he would want to know specifically how the
$15,000 would be used and how much the study
would cost overall.
Paul Remus, 65 Meetinghouse Road: Mr. Remus
said the budget was not a line item budget. He
asked if the School Board could use the money
for something else if the amendment passed.
Vice Chair Thomas said they could use it for
something else unless the use was mandated in
the Article.
Joleen Worden, 7 Birchwood Circle: Ms.
Worden said she was in favor of multiple levels.
However, she felt that the final version passed
by the School Board allowed for flexibility to
add levels if needed. She said they could not
assume the first year would be perfect. They
must evaluate students each year. She said she
believed the residents had to have faith that the
administration would add more levels if they
were needed. She said she didn't think adding
$15,000 to the budget would make a difference.
Vice Chair Thomas said she voted against the
grouping model passed by the Board. However,
the decision was made after a lot of study and
discussion. She said even though she understood
Mr. Stull's point, she believed changes could be
made after the first year BHS is open. She said
she didn't think adding the money to the budget
would benefit the process.
Board member Beals said after listening to
research the Board realized there was no perfect
answer. He said the Board wanted to build
flexibility into the program so it could be
adapted to the needs of the students. He said the
professional staff was very aware of what the
community wanted. He said no one on the Board
took a hard line on this issue. He said as BHS
moves forward, the administration would have
student data to consider. He said the Board was
very sensitive to meeting the needs of all
students.
18
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Paul MacEwen, 22 Moore's Crossing: Mr.
MacEwen asked how leveling was different that
the coding that is done in grades K through 8.
Chairperson Chagnon said coding is actually
used for Special Education students. She said a
multi-level approach would be used at BHS. She
said there would be a Foundations Level for
Special Education students. There would be
another level that was intended to be challenging
for a large percentage of students. Honors and
AP classes would also be offered. She said the
Board was also researching the IB program. She
said the Board and administration wants to reach
every child. BHS will offer a math lab and a
social studies lab that any student can go to for
help. Decelerated classes will be offered in
Algebra 1 to help students meet the new state
graduation requirement.
A motion was made to adjourn the session. The
meeting adjourned at 8: 16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Moore
Recording Clerk
Roy Stewart, Hickory Lane: Mr. Stewart said the
School Board and Administration had been very
careful with the taxpayers' money over the past
few years. He said he had no doubt if a study of
leveling was needed the district could afford it
without this amendment. Chairperson Chagnon
said $15,000 was a small amount relative to the
overall budget. She said the study would be
affordable without the amendment.
Moderator Bullock asked Mr. Stull if he wanted
to consider withdrawing the proposed amend-
ment after hearing the discussion. Mr. Stull
withdrew the amendment proposal.
Mr. Bullock went on to read Article XL
ARTICLE XL [Acceptance of gifts.) Shall
the school board be authorized to accept on
behalf of the district, without further action by
the voters, gifts, legacies and devises of real or
personal propert}' which may become available
to the district during the fiscal year? (The
school board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
No discussion was held.
Moderator Bullock reminded the attendees that a
vote on the Articles would be taken on
March 13, 2007 at McKelvie Middle School.
19
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
2007 ANNUAL SCHOOL
DISTRICT MEETING
Session II - Election/Ballot Vote
March 13, 2007
Bedford School District Moderator Ryk Bullock
opened the polls in the gymnasium at the
McKelvie Middle School at 7:00 a.m. At 7:00
p.m., Moderator Bullock closed the polls.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., after all ballots
were tallied and accounted for. Moderator
Bullock announced a total of 3,157 ballots were
cast (2,931 regular ballots, and 226 absentee
ballots) with the following results:
ARTICLE!. (Election of Officers)
Scliool Board (3-year term - one position)
• David Sacks - 2,413 votes
David Sacks was declared elected.
School District Moderator (3-year term - one
position)
• Ryk Bullock -2,5 10 votes
Ryk Bullock was declared elected.
School District Clerk (3-year term - one
position)
• "Lori" Radke - 2,527 votes
Lori Radke was declared elected.
School District Treasurer (3-year temi - one
position)
• Peter Herdklotz - 2,464 votes
Peter Herdklotz was declared elected.
ARTICLE II. (Funding bondable Start-up
Costs) (Special Warrant Article) Shall the
school district raise and appropriate the sum of
Two Million Seven Hundred Fifteen Thousand
Four Hundred Twenty Two Dollars
($2,715,422) (Gross Budget) for the purpose of
purchasing bondable capital furniture, first year
equipment, athletic field grandstands and the
initial library collection necessary to furnish
and equip the new high school/middle school;
and, in order ta finance said project, shall the
district authorize the issuance of bonds or notes
of not more than the total amount of Two
Million Seven Hundred Fifteen Thousand Four
Hundred Twenty Two Dollars ($2,715,422) for
such purposes in accordance with the provisions
of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33):
and shall the district authorize the school board
to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and
to determine the rates of interest thereon and the
maturities and other terms thereof and,
furthermore, shall the district raise and
appropriate by general taxation the sum of Sixty
Nine Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Five
Dollars ($69,525) for the first year's principal
and interest payments? (The school board
recommends a "yes" vote upon this question.)
(3/5ths ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,5 1 7 votes; No - 589 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article II passed.
ARTICLE III. (Study and design of high
school/middle school secondary access.)
(Special Warrant Article) (Non-Lapsing for
three years) Shall the school district raise and
appropriate Ninety Seven Thousand Seven
Hundred and Six Dollars ($97,706) to study,
design and/or engineer improved/additional
traffic approaches to the high school/middle
school? (The school board recommends a "yes"
vote upon this question.) (Majority ballot vote
required.)
• Yes - 2,1 16 votes; No - 965 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article III passed.
ARTICLE IV. (Negotiated salary increase
for the teaching staff.[ Shall the school district
raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred
Fifty-Six Thousand Six Hundred Eighteen
20
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Dollars ($556,618) to fund those additional cost
items related to the third year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Association for the 2007/2008 school
year which resulted from negotiations with the
teachers and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2006/2007 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,393 votes; No - 696 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article IV passed.
ARTICLE V. [Conditional article for teach-
ing staff salaries.] Shall the school district, if
Article IV is defeated, authorize the school
board to call one special meeting, at its option,
to address Article IV cost items only? (The
school board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,288 votes; No - 724 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article V passed.
ARTICLE VI. [Negotiated salary increase
for the custodial/maintenance staff.) Shall the
school district raise and appropriate the sum of
Thirty Six Thousand Three Hundred Thirteen
Dollars ($36,313) to fund those additional cost
items related to the third year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Support Staff Association for the
2007/2008 school year which resulted from
negotiations with the custodial and maintenance
staff and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2006/2007 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,542 votes; No - 553 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article VI passed.
ARTICLE VII. [Conditional article for the
custodial/maintenance staff salaries.] Shall
the school district, if Article VI is defeated,
authorize the school board to call one special
meeting, at its option, to address Article VI cost
items only? (The school board recommends a
"yes" vote upon this question.) (Majority ballot
vote required.)
• Yes - 2,372 votes; No - 667 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article VII passed.
ARTICLE VIII. [Negotiated salary increase
for the secretaries, clerks, instructional
teaching assistants, and kitchen staff.] Shall
the school district raise and appropriate the sum
of One Hundred Fifteen Thousand Eight
Hundred Dollars ($115,800) to fund those
additional cost items related to the second year
of a three-year collective bargaining agreement
between the Bedford School District and the
Bedford Education Personnel Association for
the 2007/2008 school year which resulted from
negotiations with the secretaries, clerks,
instructional teaching assistants, and kitchen
staff and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2006/2007 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,444 votes; No - 612 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article VIII passed.
ARTICLE IX. [Conditional article for
secretaries, clerks, instructional teaching
assistants, and kitchen staff salaries.] Shall
the school district, if Article VIII is defeated,
authorize the school board to call one special
meeting, at its option, to address Article VIII
cost items only? (The school board recommends
a "yes" vote upon this question.) (Majority
ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,309 votes; No - 705 votes.
21
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article IX passed.
ARTICLE X. [Operating budget.) If Article II
passes so that the cost oj purchasing bondable
capital furniture, first year equipment, athletic
field grandstands and the initial library
collection for the new high school/middle school
is spread over several years by bonding, shall
the school district raise and appropriate as an
operating budget, not including other appro-
priations voted separately, the amounts set forth
on the budget posted with the warrant or as
amended by vote of the first session, for the
purposes set forth therein, totaling Fifty Two
Million Seven Hundred Seventy One Thousand
Two Hundred Sixty Three Dollars
($52,771,263)?
However, if Article II does not pass, shall the
district's aforesaid operating budget for the
2007/2008 fiscal year be increased by the
amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Fifteen
Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Two Dollars
($2,715,422), which is the amount required to
purchase bondable capital furniture, first year
equipment, athletic field grandstands and the
initial library collection all in one year, and
shall the district therefore raise and appropriate
as an operating budget, not including other
appropriations voted separately, the amounts set
forth on the budget posted with the warrant or
as amended by vote of the first session, for the
purposes set forth therein, plus the additional
$2,715,422, for a total of Fifty Five Million
Four Hundred Eighty Six Thousand Six Hundred
Eighty Five Dollars ($55,486,685)?
[Should this Article X be defeated, and Article II
passes so that the cost of purchasing bondable
capital furniture, first year equipment, athletic
field grandstands and the initial library
collection is spread over several years by
bonding, the operating budget shall be Fifty
Million Three Hundred Ten Thousand Three
Hundred Ninety Three Dollars ($50,310,393)
which is the same as last year, with certain
adjustments required by previous action of the
school district or by law, or the governing body
may hold one special meeting, in accordance
with RSA 40:13. X and XVI, to take up the issue
of a revised operating budget only.
However, should this Article X be defeated and
should Article II also be defeated, the operating
budget shall be Fifty One Million Seven
Hundred Sixty Four Thousand Two Hundred
Forty Seven Dollars ($51,764,247) which is the
same as last year, with certain adjustments
required by previous action of the school district
or by law, or the governing body may hold one
special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13,
X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised
operating budget only.]
(The school board recommends a "yes" vote
upon this question.) (Majority ballot vote
required.)
• Yes - 2,290 votes; No - 750 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article X passed.
ARTICLE XI. [Acceptance of gifts.) Shall
the school board be authorized to accept on
behalf of the district, without further action by
the voters, gifts, legacies and devises of real or
personal propert}' which may become available
to the district during the fiscal year? (The
school board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
• Yes - 2,708 votes; No - 349 votes.
School District Moderator Bullock declared
Article XI passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Van Anglen
School District Clerk
22
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
SCHOOL DISTRICT
ELECTION BALLOT
AND
2008/2009 PROPOSED BUDGET
INFORMATION
23
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
Bedford, New Hampshire
ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
7:00 a.in. to 7:00 p.m.
Bedford High School
Ballot Questions
ARTICLE I. To elect all necessary school
district officials.
For School Board (3-year term)
for not more than two (2)
- "Bob" Donahue
- "Bill" Foote
- "Don" Graff
- Gary T. Pariseau
Vote
(Write-in)
(Write-in)
ARTICLE II. [To purchase land for and to
fund a new emergency accessway to the
middle school/high school.) (Special Warrant
Article) In order to provide for an emergency,
second accessway to the Ross A. Lurgio Middle
School/Bedford High School complex off
Chestnut Drive shall the school district raise and
appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Forty-Five
Thousand Dollars ($445,000), (a) to purchase
approximately 1.3 acres of land located adjacent
to the middle school/high school owned by
Chalant Development Corporation and consist-
ing of Tax Map parcel #20-22-8; and (b) to
construct the emergency accessway thereon,
Two Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars
($275,000) of which will come from moneys
previously raised and now accumulated in the
School District Land Fund and One Hundred
Seventy Thousand Dollars ($170,000) of which
will be raised through general taxation?
(The school board recommends a "yes" vote
upon this question.) (Majority ballot vote
required.)
ARTICLE III. [Negotiated salary increase
for the teaching staff.] Shall the school district
raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred
Eighty-Three Thousand Sixty-Six Dollars
($683,066) to fund those additional cost items
related to the first year of a three-year coUecfive
bargaining agreement between the Bedford
School District and the Bedford Educafion
Association for the 2008/2009 school year
which resulted from negotiations with the
teachers and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2007/2008 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
ARTICLE IV. (Conditional article for teach-
ing staff salaries.l Shall the school district, if
Article III is defeated, authorize the school
board to call one special meeting, at its option,
to address Article III cost items only?
(The school board recommends a "yes" vote
upon this question.) (Majority ballot vote
required.)
ARTICLE V. [Negotiated salary increase for
the custodial/maintenance staff.] Shall the
school district raise and appropriate the sum of
Sixty Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty-Four
Dollars ($60,984) to fiand those additional cost
items related to the first year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Support Staff Association for the
2008/2009 school year which resulted from
negotiations with the custodial and maintenance
staff and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2007/2008 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items? (The school
24
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
ARTICLE VI. [Conditional article for the
custodial/maintenance staff salaries.] Shall the
school district, if Article V is defeated, authorize
the school board to call one special meeting, at
its option, to address Article V cost items only?
(The school board recommends a "yes" vote
upon this question.) (Majority ballot vote
required.)
ARTICLE VII. [Negotiated salary increase
for the secretaries, clerks, instructional
teaching assistants, and kitchen staff.) Shall
the school district raise and appropriate the sum
of One Hundred Forty-Three Thousand Sixteen
Dollars ($143,016) to fund those additional cost
items related to the third year of a three-year
collective bargaining agreement between the
Bedford School District and the Bedford
Education Personnel Association for the
2008/2009 school year which resulted from
negotiations with the secretaries, clerks,
instructional teaching assistants, and kitchen
staff and which represents the negotiated
increase over the 2007/2008 salaries, fringe
benefits, and other cost items'? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majoritj' ballot vote required.)
ARTICLE VIII. [Conditional article for
secretaries, clerks, instructional teaching
assistants, and kitchen staff salaries.] Shall the
school district, if Article VII is defeated,
authorize the school board to call one special
meeting, at its option, to address Article VII cost
items only? (The school board recommends a
"yes" vote upon this question.) (Majority
ballot vote required.)
ARTICLE IX. [Operating budget! Shall the
district raise and appropriate as an operating
budget, not including other appropriations voted
separately in Articles II. Ill, V, and VII, the
amounts set forth on the budget posted with the
warrant or as amended by vote of the first
session, for the purposes set forth therein,
totaling Fifty-Five Million Fifty-One Thousand
Ninety-Seven Dollars ($55,051,097)? [Should
this article be defeated, the operating budget
shall be Fifty Four Million Three Hundred Sixty
Two Thousand Four Hundred Thirty Seven
Dollars ($54,362,437) which is the same as last
year, with certain adjustments required by
previous action of the school district or by law,
or the governing body may hold one special
meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and
XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating
budget only] (The school board recommends
a "yes" vote upon this question.) (Majority
ballot vote required.)
ARTICLE X. [Acceptance of gifts.] Shall the
school board be authorized to accept on behalf
of the district, without further action by the
voters, gifts, legacies and devises of real or
personal property which may become available
to the district during the fiscal year? (The school
board recommends a "yes" vote upon this
question.) (Majority ballot vote required.)
25
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
BEDFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
2007-2008
2008-2009
Increase
BUDGET
PROPOSED
(Decrease)
PETER WOODBURY SCHOOL
Salaries
$2,365,006
$2,484,295
$119,289
Supplies & Texts
125,877
117,288
(8,589)
Furniture & Equipment
24,559
34,291
9,732
Utilities
89,274
76,524
(12,750)
Other
25,680
22,698
(2,982)
TOTAL
$2,630,396
$2,735,096
$104,700
MEMORIAL SCHOOL
Salaries
$2,287,252
$2,410,940
$123,688
Supplies & Texts
110,828
103,833
(6,995)
Furniture & Equipment
40,590
25,343
(15,247)
Utilities
115,709
113,814
(1,895)
Other
24,432
25,010
578
TOTAL
$2,578,811
$2,678,940
$100,129
RIDDLE BROOK SCHOOL
Salaries
$2,425,383
$2,535,736
$110,353
Supplies & Texts
140,012
128,036
(11,976)
Furniture & Equipment
39,793
43,385
3,592
Utilities
214,253
183,881
(30,372)
Other
44,999
42,187
(2,812)
TOTAL
$2,864,440
$2,933,225
$68,785
McKELVIE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Salaries
$2,575,841
$2,828,438
$252,597
Supplies & Texts
127,475
178,910
51,435
Furniture & Equipment
38,024
47,761
9,737
Utilities
206,977
190,954
(16,023)
Other
19,156
18,892
(264)
TOTAL
$2,967,473
$3,264,955
$297,482
ROSS A. LURGIO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Salaries
$3,238,326
$3,301,515
$63,189
Supplies & Texts
374,149
377,553
3,404
Furniture & Equipment
31,693
35,599
3,906
Other
43,731
38,933
(4,798)
TOTAL
$3,687,899
$3,753,600
$65,701
HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION
Salaries
$3,358,424
$4,437,694
$1,079,270
Tuition - Manchester
3,315,200
1,655,500
(1,659,700)
Supplies & Texts
132,988
265,529
132,541
Furniture & Equipment
17,662
24,959
7,297
Census & Attendance
0
117,622
117,622
Utilities
721,640
707,250
(14,390)
Other
47,196
64,760
17,564
TOTAL
$7,593,110
$7,273,314
($319,796)
26
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
2007-2008
2008-2009
Increase
BUDGET
PROPOSED
(Decrease)
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Salaries
$4,480,926
$4,715,954
$235,028
Supplies, Texts & Equipment
58,919
56,332
(2,587)
Psyc & Other Support Services
1,205,238
1,425,313
220,075
Tuition
1,575,794
1,301,447
(274,347)
Federal Funds
564,323
575,018
10,695
Transportation
540,030
605,324
65,294
Other
15,875
15,875
0
TOTAL
$8,441,105
$8,695,263
$254,158
DISTRICT WIDE
Salaries
$1,390,231
$1,542,791
$152,560
Supplies, Text & Equipment
878,074
604,738
(273,336)
Insurance
111,600
128,341
16,741
Benefits
10,456,966
11,647,870
1,190,904
Regular Transportation
1,527,386
1,581,877
54,491
Federal Funds
138,322
134,929
(3,393)
Debt Service
4,491,416
4,768,876
277,460
Arch./Eng./Const. Services
217,706
170,000
(47,706)
Other
226,202
264,760
38,558
TOTAL
$19,437,903
$20,844,182
$1,406,279
SCHOOL BD & DISTRICT OFFICERS
Salaries
$6,400
$6,400
$0
Services & Supplies
142,800
152,000
9,200
Hiring, Printing & Dues
43,811
34,351
(9,460)
TOTAL
$193,011
$192,751
($260)
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
Salaries
$621,491
$714,797
$93,306
Services
10,245
7,995
(2,250)
Supplies & Equipment
15,000
17,000
2,000
Utilities
17,333
17,120
(213)
Travel, Meetings & Dues
17,800
19,500
1,700
TOTAL
$681,869
$776,412
$94,543
MAINTENANCE
Salaries
$268,300
$366,285
$97,985
Supplies, Equipment & Repairs
935,060
1,065,289
130,229
Contracted Services
186,196
154.888
(31,308)
Utilities
188,980
201,273
12,293
TOTAL
$1,578,536
$1,787,735
$209,199
FOOD SERVICE
Salaries
$333,974
$375,546
$41,572
Supplies & Equipment
529,927
658,201
128,274
Benefits
128,771
138,943
10,172
TOTAL
$992,672
$1,172,690
$180,018
TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET
$53,647,225
$56,108,163
$2,460,938
Note: Assumes that all school board proposed warrant articles are approved.
27
Bedford School District -2007 Annual Report
REVENUES AND CREDITS
2008-2009
DESCRIPTION
UNRESERVED FUND BALANCE
REVENUES FROM STATE SOURCES
School Building Aid
Handicapped Aid - Catastrophic
Child Nutrition Program
Drive Education
Other
REVENUES FROM FEDERAL SOURCES
Grants
Child Nutrition Program
Disabilities (IDEA) & Preschool Incentive
Medicaid
Other
OTHER FINANCIAL SOURCES
Sale of Bonds or Notes'"
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund
Transfer from Capital Reserve Fund
Transfer from Expendable Trust Fund
LOCAL REVENUE OTHER THAN TAXES
Tuition - Regular Day SchooP^
Tuition - Community Education
Transp. Fees - Regular Day School'^'
Earnings on Investments
Food Service Sales
Rental of Facilities
Donations
Other (Impact Fees & Misc. Rev.)
Actual
Approved
Proposed
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
Difference
$696,734
$1,760,468
$600,000
($1,160,468)
$1,445,185
$1,239,262
$1,222,239
($17,023)
687,398
525,000
525,000
0
11,391
12,250
12,250
0
3,875
12,000
18,000
6,000
514
0
0
0
$129,796
$138,322
$138,322
$0
88,143
85,000
90,526
5,526
618,344
564,323
575,018
10,695
160,832
100,000
75,000
(25,000)
2,802
0
0
0
$800,000
$2,715,422
$0
($2,715,422)
97,706
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
275,000
275,000
$58,176
$60,000
$65,000
$5,000
0
0
10,000
10,000
58,750
0
0
0
1,146,862
40,000
40,000
0
711,422
895,425
1,069.913
174,488
40,124
40,000
55,000
15,000
2,531
0
0
0
247,713
895,000
193,132
(701,868)
TOTAL FUND BAL. & REV. S7,008,298
Equitable Education Grant
TOTAL FUND BAL., REV., & GRANT
State School Assessment
Local School Assessment
$2,866,863
$9,875,161
$7,594,356
$30,600,759
$9,082,472
$3,010,206
$12,092,678
$7,479,772
$36,790,197
$7,483,986
$40,924,571
$4,964,400 ($4,118,072)
$3,010,206 $0
$7,974,606 ($4,118,072)
$4,214
134,374
TOTAL TAX ASSESSMENTS $38,195,115 $44,269,969 $48,408,557
$4,138,588
TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
$47,270,276
$48,070,276
$53,647,225
$56,362,647
$56,108,163
$56,383,163
Note I: The 2006/07 appropriation includes an $800,000 bond issue for a water main extension.
The 2007/08 appropriation includes $2, 715,422 bond issue for the middle school/high school start up costs.
Note 2: Regular day school tuition is generated by students attending a district preschool program.
Note 3: The transportation fee has been eliminated since students are now transported within Bedford.
28
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
2008-2009 PROPOSED BUDGET
ANALYSIS
The following is an analysis of the proposed school district budget:
District Wide (benefits,
debt, transp., etc
37%
Peter Woodbury .. ■ ,
■' Memorial
5%
McKelvie Intermediate
6%
The above analysis of the budget allocates costs to the schools, departments, and programs for
which they are incurred. The chart provides a quick visual comparison of the total budget.
Note: Assumes that all school board proposed warrant articles are approved.
29
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
2008-2009 PROPOSED BUDGET
EXPENSE ANALYSIS
Salaries & Benefits
66.1%
Salaries & Benefits $37,122,778
wi.r'o
Obligations 7,725,823
13.8%
Tuition-MHSW $1,655,500
Tuition-Other 1,301,447
Debt Services 4,768,876
Instruction/Support (Non. Sal.) 4,264,052
7.6%
Business Accounts (Non. Sal. ) 6,995,5 1 0
12.5%
TOTAL $56,108,163
100.0%
Obligations
13.8%
Instruction/Support
(Non. Sal.)
7.6%
Business Accounts
("Non. Sal.)
12.5%
2008-2009 PROPOSED BUDGET
REVENUE ANALYSIS
State Education
13.4%
Slate 1 unding
$4,787,695
8.5%
^^^^^V
Federal Funding
Local Miscellaneous
878,866
2,033,045
1.6%
3.6%
1 Education
72.9%
Local Education
40,924,571
72.9%
State Education
7,483,986
13.4%
$56,108,163
100.0%
Note: Assumes that all school board proposed warrant articles are approved.
30
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
RESIDENT SCHOOL
ENROLLMENTS
9/07
SCHOOL
K
Gr.l
Gr.2
Gr.3
Gr.4
Gr.5
Gr. 6
Gr.7
Gr.8
Gr.9
Gr.lO
Gr.ll
Gr.l 2
Total
9/07
9/06
Inc/Dec
9/06-9/07
Memorial
57
93
100
96
106
452
454
.2
Peter Woodbury
77
129
137
118
118
579
565
14
Riddle Brook
83
131
120
148
134
616
605
11
McKelvie Int.
390
344
734
658
76
Lurgio Middle
327
369
696
695
1
Bedford High
322
266
588
485
103
West High
2
11
216
213
442
445
-3
Central High
0
0
2
0
2
2
0
Memorial High
0
0
0
0
0
1
-1
Bishop Brady
10
10
14
20
54
62
-8
Bishop Guertin
12
35
16
19
82
83
-1
Derryfield
6
13
11
14
23
14
13
94
94
0
Grace Christian
2
2
1
3
4
1
0
13
17
-4
Holy Family
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
2
1
10
8
2
Mt. Saint Mary
2
1
1
4
-)
2
1
13
8
5
Mt. Zion
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
-)
1
1
6
~)
17
23
-6
Nashua Christiar
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
I
0
1
10
12
.2
St. Benedict
1
0
2
2
1
2
1
9
9
0
St. Casimir
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
6
-5
St. Catherine
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
6
6
0
St. Paul's
2
0
1
0
3
3
0
Trinity
7
15
30
IT
74
89
-15
Villa Augustina
5
1
3
4
0
3
2
0
1
19
34
-15
♦Other
100
9
10
12
13
8
10
10
20
9
15
13
14
243
232
11
TOTAL
330
367
377
390
382
407
366
352
404
383
380
314
305
4757
4596
161
* Includes Bedford School District special education out-of-district enrollments.
31
Bedford School District - 2007 A^fNUAL Report
DEBT SERVICE SCHEDULE
DEBT SERVICE COSTS BY FISCAL YEAR (Principal & Interest)
FY RBS Additions MS/HS MWW Start-up Cost Balance
1999
$295,557
$295,557
$7,874,400
2000
$755,583
$755,583
$7,874,400
2001
$737,448
$737,448
$7,484,400
2002
$719,313
$719,313
$7,094,400
2003
$701,178
$52,563
$753,740
$9,885,400
2004
$683,043
$402,363
$1,085,405
$9,495,400
2005
$669,791
$413,600
$1,083,391
$8,804,400
2006
$651,424
$405,600
$1,076,877
$2,133,901
$55,594,400
2007
$633,056
$396,800
$3,345,996
$21,309
$4,397,162
$52,481,081
2008
$614,689
$387,200
$3,344,471
$75,530
$67,081
$4,488,971
$51,353,882
2009
$596,321
$376,800
$3,343,971
$73,530
$378,252
$4,768,875
$47,649,123
2010
$577,954
$364,800
$3,345,346
$71,530
$371,175
$4,730,805
$43,813,536
2011
$559,389
$352,000
$3,343,921
$69,580
$360,375
$4,685,265
$40,114,052
2012
$540,626
$339,200
$3,343,168
$67,750
$349,575
$4,640,319
$36,541,510
2013
$521,765
$326,400
$3,343,934
$65,990
$338,438
$4,596,526
$33,083,592
2014
$502,706
$3,344,459
$64,230
$326,963
$4,238,358
$29,735,706
2015
$483,450
$3,343,690
$62,470
$315,488
$4,205,098
$26,816,113
2016
$463,996
$3,345,053
$60,710
$298,125
$4,167,884
$23,998,385
2017
$444,345
$3,344,120
$58,950
$284,875
$4,132,290
$21,287,577
2018
$424,595
$3,343,500
$57,190
$271,625
$4,096,910
$18,663,340
2019
$404,260
$3,341,750
$55,430
$3,801,440
$16,129,030
2020
$3,345,250
$53,670
$3,398,920
$13,943,239
2021
$3,343,750
$51,890
$3,395,640
$12,233,487
2022
$3,342,125
$50,090
$3,392,215
$10,601,606
2023
$3,345,000
$48,290
$3,393,290
$9,041,885
2024
$3,342,125
$46,470
$3,388,595
$7,553,527
2025
$3,343,250
$44,625
$3,387,875
$6,131,506
2026
$3,343,000
$42,775
$3,385,775
$4,773,535
2027
$3,346,000
$40,925
$3,386,925
$3,475,135
2028
$3,342,000
$3,342,000
$2,236,118
2029
$3,345,625
$3,345,625
$1,091,058
2030
$3,341,500
$3,341,500
($0)
DEBT ISSUES
Riddle Brook School |
Construction
Date Issued;
5/1/1998
Maturity Date:
8/15/2018
Amount (principal):
$7,874,400
Interest Rate
4.81%
Additions to RBS/SAU Office
& Water Line Estension to McK
Date Issued:
11/1/2002
Maturity Date:
11/1/2012
Amount (principal):
$3,181,000
Interest Rate
3.37%
Middle School/High School
Construction
Date Issued:
Maturity Date:
Amount (principal):
Interest Rate
7/15/2005
7/15/2029
$47,505,000
4.34%
Manchester Water Works
Water Line Extention
Date Issued:
Maturity Date:
Amount (principal):
Interest Rate
6/1/2006
7/1/2026
$800,000
4.52%
MS/HS Start-up Costs
Furniture, Equipment, Bleachers
and Library Books
Date Issued: 7/19/2007
Maturity Date: 8/15/2017
Amount (principal): $2,681,350
Interest Rate 4.28%
32
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
COST OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
2005-2006 2006-2007 1
EXPENDITURES
$8,223,817
$8,797,132
REVENUES
State Sources
- Catastrophic Aid
- Equitable Eiducation Aid
Federal Sources
- Individuals with Disabilities Act
- Medicaid Funds
Other Sources
- Tuition*
TOTAL Revenues
530,855
0
509,990
169,989
46,842
$1,257,676
687,398
0
618,344
160,832
58,176
$1,524,750
NET SPECIAL EDUCATION COST
$6,966,141
$7,272,382
* Tuition is generated by typical students electing to attend the district 's preschool program.
EXPENDABLE TRUST FUNDS
Balance
Interest Earned
Withdrawals
Balance
Trust Fund
June 30, 2006
2006/2007
2006/2007
June 30, 2007
Maintenance
$43,354.58
$1,903.18
$0.00
$45,257.66
Tuition
$132,499.94
$5,781.27
$0.00
$138,281.21
Land
$524,951.87
$22,904.84
$0.00
$547,856.71
New School Fund
$177,032.73
$1,524.67
($170,000.00)
$8,557.40
GRAND TOTALS
$877,839.12
$32,113.96
($170,000.00)
$739,952.98
Information provided by the Trustees of the Trust Fund.
On July 10. 2006, the Bedford School Board approved the withdrawal of $1 70.000 from the New School Fund
for the pinpose of constructing athletic fields, including site work, lights, and a utility building as pari of the
middle school/lngh school project. Prior to the withdrawal, the board held a Public Hearing as required under
RSA 198:20-c, II.
33
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
Plodzik & Sanderson
Professional Association/Accountants & Auditors
193 North Main Street • Concord • New Hampshire • 03301-5063 • 603-225-6996 • FAX-224-1380
To the Members of the School Board
Bedford School District
Bedford, New Hampshire
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, each major fund and the
aggregate remaining fund information of the Bedford School District as of and for the year ended June 30, 2006,
which collectively comprise the Bedford School District's basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the School District's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America
and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comp-
troller General of the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective
financial position of the governmental activities, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of
the Bedford School District as of June 30, 2006, and the respective changes in financial position thereof for the year
then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued a report dated August 25, 2006, on our
consideration of the School District's internal control over financial reporting and our tests of compliance with
certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report
is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of
that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That
report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and should be
considered in assessing the results of our audit.
The management's discussion and analysis and budgetary comparison information are not a required part of the basic
financial statements, but are supplementary information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. We have applied certain limited procedures, which consisted principally of inquiries of
management regarding the methods of measurement and presentation of the required supplementary information.
However, we did not audit the information and express no opinion on it.
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise
the Bedford School District's basic financial statements. The combining and individual fiind schedules are presented
for the purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements. The
accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards is presented for purposes of additional analysis as required
by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A- 133, Audits of States. Local Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations, and is also not a required part of the basic financial statements of the Bedford School District. The
combining and individual fund schedules and schedule of expenditures of federal awards have been subjected to the
auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all
material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Gregory A. Colby, CPA
August 25, 2006 PLODZIK & SANDERSON,
Professional Association
NOTE: Completed audits are available for viewing on the district 's website at www. sau2 5. ne(> district informatiori> finance
34
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
NEED TO WRITE OR CALL?
Memorial School
55 Old Bedford Road
Bedford, NH 031 10
Telephone: 627-1776
Peter Woodbury School
180 County Road
Bedford, NH 031 10
Telephone: 622-0431
Riddle Brook School
230 New Boston Road
Bedford, NH 031 10
Telephone: 471-1082
McKelvie Intermediate School
108 Liberty Hill Road
Bedford, NH 03 110
Telephone: 472-3951
Ross A. Lurgio Middle School
47-A Nashua Road
Bedford, NH 031 10
Telephone: 310-9100
Bedford High School
47-B Nashua Road
Bedford, NH 031 10
Telephone: 310-9000
Superintendent's Office
103 County Road
Bedford, NH 03110
Telephone: 472-3755
Special Services Department
103 County Road
Bedford, NH 031 10
Telephone: 472-3755
35
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
NOTES:
36
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
NOTES:
37
Bedford School District - 2007 Annual Report
NOTES:
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