Fire Substation Proposal Moves Forward

Among a handful of public hearings held by the Bedford Town Council Wednesday night, only one subject provoked any significant discussion from residents.

Two people, in fact, approached the microphone to voice their opinions that a long-discussed fire substation on South River Road may not be the best use of Bedford reserve funds.

Peter M. Kujawski presented data to reflect that fire responses have dipped by 40 percent since 1995. Though he admitted he comes from a family with many firefighters, Kujawski suggested the town council explore less expensive ways to meet the town's need for emergency medical calls, which typically absorb the majority of the fire departments manpower and resources.
 
"I'm requesting that you respect the citizens of Bedford, keep the taxes low and stop the unnecessary expenditures," he said. "We don't need another fire station."

Carolyn Aikins echoed Kujawski's fiscally-conservative sentiment and suggested that the town explore leasing space for an ambulance bay near South River Road, which she said would reduce the cost to the town and still provide for quicker responses for the many elderly residents in nearby retirement communities and nursing homes. 

"If you're going to do anything, that's the thing to consider," she said.

Town Council Chairman Chris Bandazian explained that a plethora of data on call volume and other applicable information had been reviewed and led to the council's decision to back the cause.

Kujawski argued that the notion of purchasing land on South River Road – before residents had the chance to approve or reject the substation at Town Meeting – seems a bit backward.

Town Manager Jessie Levine countered by explaining that roughly two-thirds of Bedford voters already supported an infrastructure bond in 2011 that included the substation. Moreover, she said that the South River Road land is highly desirable and that it was advantageous to purchase it at market value now, as opposed to chancing losing the property to another buyer. Worst case scenario, she added, is that the substation proposal is rejected in March and Bedford sells the property for a potential profit.

Town Council member Bill Dermody also noted that the money being used to purchase the land is coming from a land reserve fund that has no tax impact and is, in fact, designated for just such a purchase.

Municipal Operating Budget

Due to unexpected revenue, the town operating budget being proposed to voters represents only a 3-cent tax increase per $1,000, less than a one-percent increase over the last budget. If approved, it's expected to bring the municipal to $5 even.

In fact, Town Councilors were even able to add an additional police officer to the budget, meaning the town would add two more officers in the next year.

Town Councilors will formally vote on the proposed budget, along with Tax Increment Finance plan amendments – which was also discussed during a Wednesday public hearing – at their next public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

Additional Notes

Following a public hearing, the Bedford Town Council voted to support Levine's suggestion to eliminate the process and costs behind a Sunday Sales ordinance, which she explained is an outdated Blue Law. She further noted that it is unreasonable to allocate additional resources to enforce. 

After some debate, the Town Council also voted, 6-1, to support spending $100,000 for an information technology consultant.