At their January 6 meeting, the Selectmen reviewed updates on the business plan of the long-discussed History Museum and heard progress on the Police Station’s Net Zero progress.
Bedford History Museum and Business Plan Discussion
In a continuation of the long-term discussions between the Selectmen and the Bedford Historical Society, Selectman Mike Rosenberg provided an update on a Bedford History Museum that would be financially supported by the Town and operated by the Bedford Historical Society. Reminiscent of their September 9 and December 18 meetings with the Selectmen, the Historical Society achieved little success in moving forward to establish a museum. Selectmen Margot Fleischman, Edward Pierce, and Emily Mitchell all raised concerns over the financial foundations of the project.
Selectman Rosenberg described the history of the discussions between the Selectmen and the Historical Society. Rosenberg encouraged his fellow selectmen to move Bedford TV from Old Town Hall to the Depot Building so that there would be open space for the proposed museum.
Selectman Margot Fleischman rebutted Rosenberg’s claim that this transition could be easily made and raised concerns over the costs and location of the museum.
Selectman Emily Mitchell echoed similar frustrations as Selectman Fleischman over the urgency of the museum without a clear plan on what the economic impact would be on the town.
Bedford Historical Society President Don Corey addressed concerns of the financial stability of the proposed museum and claimed that continuing to postpone the museum is simply, “kicking the can down the road.”
In response to the proposed move of Bedford TV, Community Media Committee member Ralph Hammond questioned the need for the museum to have an archive in the same building as the museum. Deferring the need to house both the museum and archives in the same museum would allow Bedford TV to remain in the second floor of Old Town Hall. Hammond also touted the partnership that exists between Bedford TV and the Historical Society and the great work that the Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) channel provides for citizens of all ages in Bedford.
Rosenberg proposed to the Historical Society and the Community Media Committee the need to compromise and advised that both the committee and society appoint a neutral mediator to sort out any differences.
This was met with hesitance by Town Manager Sarah Stanton who explained the imminence of moving the Historical Society’s archives as the bids for the Police Station renovations are moving forward to renovate the Police Station.
The Selectmen approved a measure to have a future conversation to look at the depot for the future home of Bedford TV to help further the proposed museum.
Police Station Renovation-Energy Net Zero Update
Facilities Director Taissir Alani addressed the Selectmen over the propose renovations to the Police Station, specifically the building’s HVAC system to implement Net Zero Energy costs for the entire building.
Selectman Ed Pierce question Alani how implementing Net Zero Energy would affect operating costs.
Alani explained energy costs would increase as it did in the Library when the new building’s new HVAC system was included. However, this would help diminish the town’s use of fossil fuels and instead utilize electricity, the key objective of the town’s Net Zero policy.
The Selectmen approved the motion to send the proposed renovations to the Capital Expenditures Committee for inclusion in the overall capital budget. The vote was 4-1-0.
In preparation for Annual Town Meeting, the Selectmen will meet weekly to address the many pressing matters that require the Selectmen’s attention.
Loading ...
