Edward Pierce quietly signed off on more than 20 years of elective office on Monday, near the close of his final regularly-scheduled Bedford Select Board meeting.
“It’s been terrific,” he stated, noting that his town board resume totals 28 years: two on the Finance Committee, five on the Recreation Commission, 15 on the School Committee, and the most recent six years on the Select Board, which he chaired in 2020-21.
He also mentioned the various space-needs and school building committees on which he served.
Pierce announced several weeks ago that he would not be seeking a third term in the March 11 Town Election.
Select Board Chair Emily Mitchell expressed gratitude at Monday’s meeting for Pierce’s “time and expertise and leadership. We hope we can continue to benefit from your ideas.”
Her colleague Shawn Hanegan, completing his first year on the board, said he found Pierce “a calming presence” during tense moments at town meeting. “I really appreciate what you’ve done for our town.”
Board member Bopha Malone said she is a newer resident, and “if it wasn’t for people like you, the town wouldn’t be what it is,” she told Pierce. The other board member, Margot Fleischman, was not present.
Pierce, 67, told his colleagues that “I never felt it would go on this long. It has been a life of fun.” He thanked Bedford residents for “allowing me to do this,” as well as the town staff and “all the people along the way.”
Malone and Finance Committee member Paul Mortenson, who was in the rear of the meeting room, are on the ballot for the two open seats.
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THANK YOU Ed. Your dedication, integrity, focus, and engagement with residents as a volunteer Select cannot be appreciated enough. I hate to see you go, but Godspeed to you, with a deep bow of respect