Bedford, MA

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission will hold a public meeting to review two permit applications: signage at 99 The Great Road and a shed at 5 Springs Road. The commission will also discuss non-approved work at 36 North Road and 43 The Great Road, as well as Cultural District sign locations and the HDC Guidelines book. A new HDC clerk will be appointed, and the June 3 meeting minutes will be approved.

• Little Something LLC, 99 The Great Road, for signage
• Philip Kallis, 5 Springs Road, for shed
• Discussion of non-approved work at 36 North Road (Prince Street Café)
• Discussion of non-approved work at 43 The Great Road
• Discussion of Cultural District sign locations

Hanscom Field Advisory Commission

Board of Assessors

Ad Hoc Tricentennial Committee

The Bedford Tricentennial Committee will meet to review prior minutes, discuss progress on Bedford Day, review the action item list, review event progress, and schedule the next meeting.

• Discussion on progress with a focus on Bedford Day
• Review of action item list
• Review of event progress

Council on Aging

Volunteer Coordinating Committee

The Volunteer Coordinating Committee will meet via Zoom to approve prior minutes, review new volunteer applications, and discuss open positions using a vacancy worksheet. Updates include the annual reappointment process and a recruitment plan with a new spotlight and website document revisions.

• Review New Applications
• Review Open Positions: Vacancy Worksheet and Volunteers Needed flyer update
• Update on annual reappointment process
• Review Recruitment Plan with new spotlight and website document updates

Capital Expenditure Committee Appointing Authority

The Capital Expenditure Committee Appointing Authority will meet to consider the reappointment of Mary Ellen Carter. The agenda also includes approval of previous meeting minutes and other routine business.

• Reappointment of Mary Ellen Carter

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will hold a remote meeting to vote on the motor vehicle excise commitment for April 2026 and discuss a Town Meeting Article 21 application. The meeting also includes public comment, approval of previous minutes, and an assessor update. The board will then adjourn to executive session for legal strategy discussions on pending ATB cases.

• Motor vehicle commitment for 2026-04 approval/vote
• Town Meeting Article 21 application discussion
• Executive session for legal strategy on ATB cases

Council on Aging

This is a regular meeting of the Bedford Council on Aging Board. The board will vote on approval of minutes from the June 23rd meeting and receive updates from the director, including a staffing update. The meeting theme is 'Preparation', and board members will provide updates on awareness, advocacy, and transport action items.

• Vote on approval of June 23rd meeting minutes
• Director's update on staffing
• Liaison reports from Select Board, Board of Health, and FBCOA
• Action item updates on Awareness, Advocacy, and Transport

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a scenic road application for stone wall alterations at 102 Page Road, and will discuss several policy items including dark sky lighting, data center permitting, and a tree protection bylaw. A previously scheduled hearing for a subdivision at 145 Davis Road has been continued to August 11 without testimony.

• Public hearing: 102 Page Road – scenic road application for stone wall alterations (Derek Gardner, applicant)
• Discussion: Dark Sky lighting regulations
• Discussion: Small Clean Energy Facility permitting
• Discussion: Data Center permitting
• Discussion: Tree Protection Bylaw

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will vote on approving the motor vehicle excise tax commitment for April 2026 and discuss a Town Meeting Article 21 application. The meeting also includes public comment, minutes approval, and an executive session on legal strategy for ATB cases.

• Motor vehicle commitment for 2026-04 approval/vote
• Town Meeting Article 21 application discussion
• Executive session for legal strategy on ATB cases

Select Board

The Select Board will vote on appointing Town Counsel, reorganize liaison assignments, and review progress on FY26 goals while developing goals for FY27. Consent items include one-day liquor licenses and board/committee reappointments.

• Appointment of Town Counsel
• Liaison assignment reorganization
• Review of FY26 goals and development of FY27 goals
• One-day liquor license approvals (consent agenda)
• Board/committee reappointments (consent agenda)

Board of Health

The Board of Health will discuss and potentially vote on revisions to the town's tobacco sales regulations and a new food establishment permit for Café Services at Werfen, 180 Hartwell Road. The agenda also includes staff reports, board goals discussion, and approval of prior meeting minutes.

• New Food Establishment Permit – Café Services at Werfen, 180 Hartwell Road (discussion and vote)
• Revision of Board of Health Regulation Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products (discussion and potential vote)
• Updates on Board of Health goals and implementation frameworks
• Approval of draft minutes from June 15, 2026 meeting

Fire Station Building Committee

The committee will review active construction work, upcoming schedule, and proposed change orders for the fire station project. They will also discuss safety, inspections, commissioning, and project risks related to scope, schedule, and budget.

• Review of work completed and active construction activities
• Discussion of proposed change orders
• Review of completed and scheduled inspections
• Risk assessment for scope, schedule, and budget

Bedford Housing Authority

The Housing Authority will discuss and potentially act on the Ashby Place lighting project, including a change order and certificate of final completion, along with other ongoing projects and administrative services. The meeting also includes a public comment period for tenant concerns.

• Fish #023063 - Railroad Ave. Lighting Replacement project: Change Order #1 and Certificate of Final Completion
• On-going projects update
• Administrative services review
• Tenant concerns and comments

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on July 23, 2026, to consider five petitions: a variance for an addition at 2 Benjamin Kidder Lane, and special permits for additions or new construction at 15 Hayden Lane, 42 Crescent Avenue, and 103 Page Road, plus a variance for a shed at 5 Springs Road. The board will also discuss updated standards for special permits and variances under state law and review two sets of meeting minutes.

• Continuation: Amanda Carman, 2 Benjamin Kidder Lane — variance for addition within front yard setbacks
• Dickinson Architects, 15 Hayden Lane — special permit for addition over 600 sq ft on non-conforming lot
• Jenny Buchholz, 23 Crescent Avenue — special permit to enclose existing non-conforming porch
• Pamela Brown for Philip Kallis, 5 Springs Road — variance for accessory shed closer than 10 ft from property lines
• David Brickman, 103 Page Road — special permit to demolish and rebuild house on non-conforming lot

Recreation Commission

The Bedford Recreation Commission will meet to review minutes, discuss finance items including revolving funds, receive updates on summer programs and Kids Club, and plan for Bedford Day on September 19, 2026. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific votes or dollar amounts listed.

The Recreation Commission increased the administrative fee for all programs except Kids’ Club. The board also approved funding for new basketball hoops at Lane School and reviewed summer program enrollment and field projects.

• Approved raising admin fee from 15% to 22% for all programs except Kids’ Club (3-0-0)
• Approved $12K from Recreation revolving funds for 3 new basketball baskets at Lane School (3-0-0)
• Approved minutes from 6/3/26 (3-0-0)

Bicycle Advisory Committee

The Bedford Bicycle Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 7:30 pm in the Lower-Level Conference Room. The agenda includes a presentation by Jim Katz on the 10-year comprehensive plan, updates and discussion on the Wilson Park intersection redesign, public comment, liaison reports, and approval of minutes.

• Jim Katz will present on the 10-year comprehensive plan
• Wilson Park intersection redesign updates and discussion
• Public comment period
• Liaison reports
• Approval of minutes

Arbor Resources Committee

The Bedford Arbor Resources Committee will vote on proposed edits to the Town's Tree Regulations and Tree Policy, which would apply fees and a permitting process to all private requests to remove Town-owned trees. The committee will also hear an update on Willson Park and a request from Bedford Mothers Out Front to support a micro forest project. A new chair will be elected.

• Vote to approve draft edits to Tree Regulations, applying regulations and fees to all private requests to remove Town-owned trees
• Vote to approve draft edits to Tree Policy, including changes to jurisdiction language and Section IV (Tree Advocacy) and Section VII_F (Funding)
• Willson Park update from BARC representative Elizabeth Knox
• Request from Bedford Mothers Out Front to support a micro forest project
• Election of new BARC Chair

Hanscom Field Advisory Commission

The Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) will meet remotely on July 21, 2026, to discuss several operational topics at the airport. Presentations are scheduled on solar energy sites, recent noise reports, capital projects, and a briefing on ICE operations at Hanscom Field. The commission will also consider approval of prior meeting minutes and hear community comments.

• Presentation on Hanscom Field solar sites by Jenna Ide, Senior Associate, PMA Consultants
• Recent noise reports presented by Massport
• Capital projects and third-party development report from Massport
• Briefing on ICE operations at Hanscom by Todd Palmer, De-ICE Hanscom ICE Flight Verifiers
• Update on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

Taxation Aid Committee

The Taxation Aid Committee will meet remotely to review minutes, discuss committee structure and a vacancy, and receive updates on the donation process including fund status and outreach efforts. They will also discuss the application process and outreach for 2026.

• Review & approve minutes from June 15, 2026
• Discussion on how to fill committee vacancy
• Report on fund status and outreach inquiries of other towns
• Discussion of application process & outreach for 2026

Planning Board

The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Bedford Planning Board, will meet to debrief from a recent Planning Board presentation on draft strategies, continue outreach to other boards, and review a slide deck on the plan. They will also discuss the Future Land Use Map. The meeting is a working session with no final votes or public hearings scheduled.

• Debrief from Planning Board presentation on draft Strategies
• Ongoing road shows to boards and committees
• Slide deck of 'Comprehensive Plan 101'
• Discussion of Future Land Use Map

Arbor Resources Committee

The Bedford Arbor Resources Committee will review and vote on proposed edits to the Town Tree Regulations and Tree Policy, including fee structures and jurisdiction clarifications. The meeting will also receive updates on public tree projects, Willson Park, and a micro forest proposal from Bedford Mothers Out Front.

• Tree Regulations draft edits: $200 application fee, $300–$600 per inch DBH mitigation for removed Town trees
• Tree Policy draft edits: jurisdiction alignment with Regulations, Section IV (Tree Advocacy) and Section VII_F (Funding) updates
• Willson Park update from Elizabeth Knox, BARC representative
• Micro forest project proposal from Bedford Mothers Out Front
• Elect new Chair and pro tem Chair

Cultural Council

The Bedford Cultural Council will meet to review and accept minutes from its June 17 meeting and hear the Treasurer's Report. The council will discuss results from a Community Input Survey and use them to update its priorities and local guidelines for FY27. Other business includes the upcoming grant cycle, Bedford Day, and recruiting a social media volunteer. Elections for co-chairs, clerk, and co-treasurers will also be held.

• Review of Community Input Survey results
• Update of BCC Priorities and Local Guidelines for FY27 based on survey results
• Discussion of the grant cycle
• Discussion of Bedford Day
• Elections for co-chairs, clerk, and co-treasurers

Planning Board

The Bedford Planning Board will hold a remote meeting on July 14, 2026, starting at 7:00 pm via Zoom. The session includes a public hearing on a subdivision plan at 145 Davis Road, a preliminary discussion about the future of the Bedford Plaza Hotel at 340 Great Road, and updates on dark sky lighting, small clean energy facility permitting, data center permitting, and accessory dwelling unit ownership rules.

• Public Hearing - 145 Davis Road - Definitive Subdivision Plan (4 lots off Jeffrey Circle), Middlesex Development LLC, applicant (continued to July 28, 2026)
• Preliminary discussion on the future of the Bedford Plaza Hotel at 340 Great Road
• Dark Sky lighting discussion
• Small Clean Energy Facility permitting discussion
• Data Center permitting discussion

Library Trustees

The Bedford Free Public Library Board of Trustees will meet to discuss several operational items, including the use of Mac computers for the public, a new meeting room policy outline, and printing donations. The meeting includes public comment and reports from the secretary and director.

• Mac computers for public use (unfinished business)
• Meeting room policy outline (new business)
• Printing donations (new business)
• Upcoming plans (new business)

Historic Preservation Commission

The Bedford Historic Preservation Commission will meet to decide on Demo Delay applications for properties including 277 The Great Road and 229 Old Billerica Road, review a mini-forest proposal for the Job Lane property, and discuss historic preservation restrictions and tax deferrals for renovated historic properties.

• Demo Delay application for 277 The Great Road
• Mini-forest proposal for Job Lane property
• Historic preservation restriction for Job Lane property
• Tax Deferral for Renovated Historic Properties (Article 56)
• Michael Bacon House review at 229 Old Billerica Road

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission will discuss a historic preservation restriction for the Job Lane property and a mini-forest proposal for the same site. The board will also consider a Demo Delay application for 277 The Great Road, elect officers for the new fiscal year, and discuss Article 56, a tax deferral for renovated historic properties.

• Demo Delay application for 277 The Great Road
• Mini-forest proposal for Job Lane property
• Historic preservation restriction for Job Lane property
• Article 56, Tax Deferral for Renovated Historic Properties
• Proposed change to 5 seats on the HPC board

Trails Committee

The Trails Committee will discuss membership changes, approve past meeting minutes, and review several trail projects including Huckins Farm improvements, signage status, and work at Hartwell Town Forest. Proposed work includes bridge replacements at Springs Brook and Town Campus, boardwalk repairs, and trail grooming.

• Huckins Farm – trail improvements request
• Springs Brook – bridge replacement phases 3 & 4 completed; small bridge replacements (12' and 8') proposed
• Hosmer Way – replace existing bridges (84') and build stairs to NGRT
• Town Campus – replace bridges on pond loop (56') as Eagle Scout project
• Minnie Reid – parking area clean-up and kiosk replacement

Commission on Disability

The Bedford Commission on Disability meets to review minutes from its June 2026 meeting, welcome a town project manager, and hear a resident-led presentation on sidewalk snow clearing. Members will also discuss efforts to expand hybrid meeting options and review the commission’s activities over the past year.

• Sidewalk snow clearing presentation by Todd Crowley
• Update on hybrid meeting offerings from town committees
• Review of COD activities from July 2025–June 2026

Ad Hoc Tricentennial Committee

The Bedford Tricentennial Committee will meet to review progress on the town's 300th anniversary celebration, with a focus on Bedford Day. The agenda includes public comments, approval of prior minutes, and review of action items and event progress.

• Discussion on progress with a focus on Bedford Day
• Review of Action Item List
• Review of event progress

Conservation Commission

The Bedford Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on wetland-related notices for 26 Pine Street, 31 Washington Street, and 114 Concord Road. The commission will also discuss a bench proposal at Little Meadow, an enforcement issue at 6 Glen Ora Drive, and long-term pond management.

• Request for Determination of Applicability: 26 Pine Street — Sandra Alexander
• Notice of Intent: 31 Washington Street — Donglai Kang
• Notice of Intent: 114 Concord Road — LEC Environmental for Nichols
• Discussion: Hartwell Town Forest Boardwalk Project, DEP# 103-0924
• Enforcement Issue: 6 Glen Ora Drive — Mohammad Uddin

Select Board

The Select Board will vote to ratify Joseph Ready as Code Enforcement Director at $120,000/year, interview a Council on Aging appointee, and discuss potential leaf blower regulations. The board will also consider a contract amendment for 108 Carlisle Road design work and a contract for OpenGov software conversion assistance.

• Ratify Joseph Ready as Code Enforcement Director/Inspector of Buildings at $120,000/year starting July 13
• Interview Susan Grieb for Council on Aging appointment through 2028
• Discuss potential leaf blower regulations
• Weston & Sampson contract amendment for 108 Carlisle Road design work
• Woodard & Curran contract for OpenGov conversion assistance

Transportation Advisory Committee

The Transportation Advisory Committee will consider a draft statement on the Tamar Vishlitzky ghost bike memorial, review CPAC transportation elements, and discuss sidewalk and bus stop snow clearing, micromobility, and appropriate speed limits for Bedford. The meeting also includes annual committee reorganization and public comment.

• Draft statement on Tamar Vishlitzky ghost bike memorial on Concord Road
• Review of CPAC transportation elements
• Sidewalk and bus stop snow clearing discussion
• Micromobility discussion with links to state commission report and proposed legislation S.3077
• Discussion on 'The right speeds for Bedford'