TOWN BOARD, COMMITTEE, AND DEPARTMENT NEWS
- Real estate taxes on the average single-family residence in Bedford will increase by about $620 for the current fiscal year.
- Plans for the hangar complex at Hanscom Field have been reduced from 27 new structures to 17; however, “it’s too early to know whether the total square footage for the project would be reduced by an equal ratio.”
- Bedford Special Town Meeting in November rejected a petitioners’ article that called for reopening the search for a fire station site. Read what happened here.
- Town Meeting voters unanimously approved allocating community preservation funds that will clear a path for replacing the Bedford Free Public Library’s ailing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system.
- Bedford Special Town Meeting voters approved updating the building code bylaw with the so-called specialized code, adding a greater requirement for energy efficiency to new larger buildings.
- Bedford’s Special Town Meeting approved two articles intended to expand the pool of applicants for entry-level vacancies in the Police and Fire departments.
- As many as 15 residents who are veterans, and/or older than 60, may reduce their annual property tax bill by as much as $1,000, according to a vote by Special Town Meeting.
- A second member of the nine-person Finance Committee has resigned in protest over the decision to replace two former colleagues.
- Plans to install the interior camera equipment in Bedford High School locations over winter break have been held up by a technicality. Read what happened.
- Bedford Town Manager Matt Hanson said he hopes to appoint a new fire chief around the end of January.
- Mike Rosenberg sat down with the new Bedford Town Manager Matt Hanson.
SCHOOL NEWS
- School officials hopes to begin installation of camera equipment at Bedford High School soon after Annual Town Meeting adjourns, if voters authorize the expenditure.
- Some of the earliest students in the Bedford METCO program recently visited current METCO students as part of events planned for the 50th year of the METCO program in Bedford.
- The Bedford High School Performing Arts Department presented a great version of Twelfth Night, the classic Shakespearean comedy about love and mistaken identity.
- Military veterans strengthen their communities by applying the skills they sharpened on active duty, a high-ranking officer told the students and teachers of Lt. Job Lane School at a pre-Veterans Day assembly.
- There are currently 2,559 students enrolled in Bedford Public Schools. Overall enrollment is projected to remain stable for the 2024-25 academic year.
- Spirit Week. Community Day. Advisory Olympic. Bedford High School was abuzz with building community, fostering connections and building spirit in November.
- Roopa Bhusnurmath wrote a column about Diwali which was celebrated in November.
- At Bedford High School, student unions and identity groups are creating a supportive place for students, including the recently-formed Jewish Student Union.
FEATURES
- Members of the community gathered on the Bedford Common to commemorate the anniversary of Kristallnacht.
- The Bedford South Asian community recently held their annual Diwali celebration gala for 230+ Bedford community members. The evening provided adults and kids with the opportunity to celebrate, dance, eat, and enjoy as one big family.
- A unique piece of art was dedicated on Veterans Day to honor Capt. Thomas Hudner, the only member of Bedford’s American Legion Post 221 to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor.
- Mothers Out Front held their second annual Pumpkin Smash recently in a messy and fun effort to raise awareness about composting.
- Retired Assistant Coach Bob Petrillo reminisces about the annual Bedford High School Thanksgiving football games throughout his 30-year coaching career with BHS.
- The Bedford Cultural District Partnership has sponsored the construction and installation of two miniature art galleries within the Bedford Cultural District.
- Most people in Bedford are familiar with Hanscom Air Force Base. But what about the people who live and work there, yet spend time in Bedford?
- Doris Smith recommends the book Oh, Olive by Lian Cho in Story Time Recommendations with Mrs. Smith.
- Three Bedford Fire Department lieutenants, all Bedford High School graduates who are second-generation town employees, have been promoted to the rank of captain.
- This year, 390 people spent their Thanksgiving morning taking part in the annual Bedford Turkey Trot. Check out photos by Rob Ackerman.
SPORTS
- BHS girls’ cross country team placed sixth in the state for the MIAA Division 2 state championship. Jonny Garraway placed seventh in the boys’ individual race.
- BHS boys’ varsity soccer team advanced to the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 2 tournament after outscoring Reading Memorial, 2-1. The varsity boys’ soccer team was eliminated in the Elite Eight round of the MIAA Division 2 state tournament, with a 2-1 loss to Hopkinton. But overall, it was a great year for the team.
- The Bedford High School varsity football team fell to Duxbury 33-6 in the opening round of the MIAA State Tournament. The next week, the team earned a 33-19 victory over Concord-Carlisle.
- Never in the 62 years of local Thanksgiving football – against Burlington and Concord-Carlisle – has the team from Bedford High School won three consecutive games. Until now.
- In the Town Employee/Alumni vs. Bedford High School Hockey Team post-Thanksgiving game, the youth has come out on top again.
IN OTHER NEWS
- Bedford residents gathered at Veterans Memorial Park for the annual Veterans Day observances.
- More than 175 guests enjoyed tasting menus from local restaurants at the Bedford Chamber of Commerce Flavors of Bedford.
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