Submitted by the Bedford Finance Committee: Ben Thomas, Chair; Elizabeth McClung, Vice Chair; Paul Mortenson, Clerk; with members Thomas Busa, Stephen Carluccio, Karen Dunn, Erica Liu, David Powell, and Stephen Steele
As Special Town Meeting approaches, the Finance Committee is following the lead of the Bedford Selectmen in increasing the level of transparency and information available. The Finance Committee has a responsibility for creating a budget for the Town, as well as providing for recommendations on articles in the Town Meeting Warrant. The committee reviews each article on the Warrant, listens to presentations, asks questions, discusses and finally votes for a recommendation. While our recommendations are printed in the warrant, we are interested in providing more information about our recommendations in advance of Special Town Meeting. It is our hope and goal that making this additional information available will be of benefit to the voters.
Article 1 – Debate Rules
Recommend Approval ~ 9-0-0
This article proposes the adoption of procedures for Special Town Meeting. These are the usual procedures under which we operate Town Meeting and the Finance Committee recommends the approval of this article.
Article 2 – Bedford’s Energy Assessment and Action Plan
Recommend Approval ~ 8-1-0
This article if passed would fund a study to be performed by consultants that would (1) establish a baseline of the town’s emission of greenhouse gases, and (2) develop a plan to reduce those emissions by 2050. Some Finance Committee members questioned whether the issue should best be handled by the state or federal government, not at the local level. The Finance Committee favorably discussed that the study could provide benefits, regardless of what the state might eventually do. In addition, there does appear to be strong support for the study within Bedford town government.
Article 3 – Amendments Addressing Sign Illumination – Terminology, Unit of Measure, and Internally-Illuminated Sign Compliance Documentation
Recommend Approval ~ 8-0-0
The Finance Committee recognizes that vibrant Commercial and Industrial sectors are critical to the town’s financial well-being. If passed, the amendments in this General Bylaw would simplify the requirements that businesses must meet for illuminated signs, without altering the original intent of the bylaw. The proposed unit of measure is more appropriate for the intended use. The elimination of the need for signed and stamped engineering calculations, in favor of more readily available professional certifications, reduces unnecessary cost for applicants and provides much-needed flexibility to the Special Permit process. The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of Article 3.
Article 4 -Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Non-Medical Marijuana Use
Recommend Approval ~ 5-2-1
This article is a zoning bylaw change that would prohibit the sale of non-medical marijuana within the Town of Bedford. This article is being presented to the voters of Bedford as an opt-out the state law which was passed in November 2016, allowing the sale and use of non-medical marijuana. Since the town voted against the sale of non-medical marijuana by a rate of 53%, we recommended approval of this article and abide by the will of the voters in the Town of Bedford.
Article 5 – General Bylaw Amendment – Marijuana Establishments
Recommend Approval ~ 5-2-1
Article 5 is a general bylaw change that would prohibit the sale of non-medical marijuana within the Town of Bedford. This article is being presented to the voters of Bedford as an opt-out to the state law which was passed in November 2016, allowing the sale and use of non-medical marijuana. Since the town voted against the sale of non-medical marijuana by a rate of 53%, we recommended approval of this article and abide by the will of the voters in the Town of Bedford.
Article 6 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Temporary Moratorium on Recreational and Non-Medical Marijuana Establishments
Recommend: to be given at Special Town Meeting
Article 7 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Military Housing Reuse Overlay District
Recommend Approval ~ 7-2-0
For several years the Town has pursued a proactive approach to the redevelopment of the former Coast Guard housing off Pine Hill Road. The proposed Overlay District represents the extensive work of various town committees, staff, citizens, and the selected property developer. Any property developed under these requirements would meet many of the goals of the Town’s Master Plan. The Finance Committee remains concerned about the impact of more dense development on Town resources, particularly the School System. Yet given the careful deliberation of this proposal, the Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 7.
Article 8 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Amendment to Bedford Zoning Map Former Coast Guard Property off Pine Hill Road
Recommend Approval ~ 9-0-0
While the Reuse Overlay District proposed in Article 7 might influence the Town’s future development of cottage-style cluster zoning elsewhere, its primary purpose is to establish a desired zoning standard for the un-zoned former federal property defined in this article. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 8.
Article 9 – Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Section 10 Nursing Care Facility
Recommend Approval ~ 7-1-0
Carleton-Willard Village, a longstanding member of the Bedford community, seeks to expand its independent living capacity, in response to high demand and a long waiting list. Even though it has purchased additional property lots commensurate with the intended residency increase, Carleton-Willard requires a realignment of its density ratios due to evolving standards of wetlands measurement. The Finance Committee recognizes the value of increasing any living option for local seniors. The proposed zoning amendment would likely only ever apply to Carleton Willard Village, and would allow new tax growth with a correspondingly low percentage of increased demand on Town resources. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 9.
Article 10 – Zoning Bylaw – Designation of Nursing Care Facility
Recommend Approval ~ 7-1-0
Assigning the three referenced parcels to the Nursing Care Facility zone facilitates the development contemplated in Article 9. Such a designation is geographically appropriate. The three parcels are contiguous to the existing zone. The proposed development would reroute traffic access further away from a complicated intersection. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 10.
Article 11 – Davis School Design & Construction Document Bond Authorization
Recommend Approval ~ 7-0-0
This article provides a bond authorization of $990,000 for the construction documents and schematic design of additions and renovations for Davis School is necessitated by increased student enrollment and programmatic needs within the school. This article would fund the production of documents necessary for the proposed construction. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 11
Article 12 – Bedford Woods Conservation Restriction Acquisition
Recommend Approval ~ 8-0-0
The reconstruction of the Middlesex Turnpike, by the State, with the support of the Town, is a significant development driver for Bedford’s last remaining underdeveloped industrial area. The Town is obligated to establish the proposed conservation restriction. Given the lack of cooperation by the current property owner, authorizing the Selectmen to acquire the conservation restriction by eminent domain is a prudent step. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 12.
Article 13 – Grant of Easement – 13 School Avenue
Recommend Disapproval ~ 6-1-0
The Finance Committee has voted disapproval of this article, as they feel that the Town would be setting a precedent by granting a homeowner easement rights on Town owned land.
Article 14 – Infiltration/Inflow Work
Recommend Approval ~ 7-0-0
This article would appropriate $118,273 for building inspections to occur during the replacement of water meters. The appropriation to replace our water meters was approved at the past annual town meeting. The committee believes that this appropriation is necessary to determine potential infiltration and inflow issues that could exist at individual residences, thereby reducing the amount of water entering the town sewer system. The committee also discussed potential privacy concerns citizens might have. The committee believes inspections, which occur during the water meter replacement, would be the most cost-effective solution. The Finance Committee recommended approval of Article 14.
Article 15 – Community Preservation Surcharge Effective July 1, 2018
Recommend Approval ~ 7-0-1
This article if passed would continue the 3% Community Preservation surcharge for FY2019, beginning on July 1, 2018. Due to outstanding CPA debt obligations this surcharge is non-discretionary to a large degree at the moment. One other point made in favor of the Article was the likelihood of continuing to receive state matching of funds. The Finance Committee recommend approval of Article 15.
Article 16 – Amend FY 2018 Community Preservation Budget
Recommend Approval ~ 7-0-1
This Article if passed would (1) amend the FY 2018 Community Preservation budget to fund certain projects, and (2) amend Article 21 passed at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting, related to the Bedford Village project (subsidizing expiring affordable housing) by authorizing the transfer of amounts from the Affordable Housing Reserves and appropriating an amount from FY18 Community Preservation available funds. The transfer and appropriation, together, will reduce the amount to borrow from $3M to $1.5M for the Bedford Village project. The Finance Committee supports the use of reserves to fund the Bedford Village project. The Finance Committee recommend approval of Article 16.
Article 17 – Rescind Remaining Unused Portion of 2018 Bond Authorization for Bedford Village Expiring Use Project
Recommend Approval ~ 7-0-1
If Article 15 passes, it eliminates the need to borrow $1.5M of the $3M authorized at the 2017 Annual Town meeting for the Bedford Village project. The Finance Committee recommends approve of Ariticle 15.
Article 18 – Land Acquisition Fund
Recommend Approval ~ 7-0-1
This Article if it passes would (1) identify properties to be acquired by the town, replacing a list last determined at the 2014 Annual Town Meeting, and (2) appropriating $550,000 ($200,000 from the Tax Levy and $350,000 from CPA funds) to acquire properties in the future. The committee heard that this Article would give the town the flexibility to move quickly should a desirable property come up for sale. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 18.
Article 19 – Amend FY 2018 Operating Budgets
Recommend Approval 7-0-0
Over the normal course of operations, there are changes necessary in any budget. Our Town budget is no exception. The changes result from better information, as well as changes in reimbursement and costs as the fiscal year has progressed. Overall, the net positive change is in excess of $500,000. Changes to the budget include Finance (Abatement Interest / Expenses), Insurance & Benefits, Debt Service, MWRA Sewer Assessment (DPW), and Vocational Education. The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 19.
Article 20 – Bills of Prior Year
Recommend Approval ~ 9-0-0
The Town purchases a portion of its water supply from the Town of Lexington. Due to a miscommunication between the Towns there was an unpaid monthly water bill from FY2016 in the amount of $95,147.12. Unfortunately, under Massachusetts General Law Town Meeting must vote to pay bills from prior Fiscal Year. The Finance Committee recommend approval of Article 20.
Article 21 – Revisions to Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund
Recommend Approval ~ 9-0-0
This article is being recommended in order to update language in Bedford’s Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund to comply with recent changes made by the Municipal Modernization Act under the provisions of Chapter 32B, Section 20 designating the Finance Director, Treasurer/Collector of the Town to serve as Custodian of the OPEB Trust Fund. The Town will continue to invest its OPEB Funds with Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board.
OPEB refers to the benefits town employees receive after they retire, the most significant of which is health insurance. Several factors including changing demographics and rising health care costs are contributing to the potential for significant future liabilities. Bedford has been proactively addressing these future obligations. This helps ensure that future health insurance expenses do not overwhelm other project priorities and negatively impact town services.
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