By Kim Siebert MacPhail
At the end of Monday night’s Selectmen’s meeting, Chair Cathy Cordes announced her decision not to run for a fifth term.
“With the [town] election season coming,” said Cordes, “I want to officially announce that I will not be running for re-election in March…I have enjoyed this job. I love the work that I did. But it is time to move on. I’ve served with some great colleagues and Bedford is a great town. I am sure there will be other people who will hold this seat who will enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed it…It’s been a pleasure.”
While her fellow Selectmen had been aware of Cordes’ intention to step down, Bill Moonan nonetheless expressed his sadness at her departure and Mike Rosenberg asked if Cordes would consider staying on the Community Preservation Committee.
“I would serve at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen,” Cordes replied, with a twinkle in her eye. “We will see what happens when I’m off [the Selectmen] whether or not you appoint me.”
In response, Selectmen Mark Siegenthaler joked, “Express your interest to the Volunteer Coordinating Committee. You may have to be interviewed by us.”
Cordes is perhaps best known for championing the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and for shepherding CP initiatives through the committee and town meeting processes. Bedford was the first community in the Commonwealth in 2001 to adopt the measure that created a mechanism to combine local and state funding for affordable housing, recreation, historic preservation and open space. In Bedford, a portion of CP funds is set aside for sidewalks, as well.
Before her four terms as a Selectman, Cordes also served for several terms on the Finance Committee.
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