On the agenda: Bedford meeting — Data Center (Aug 31)

TOWN OF BEDFORD

Town Hall
10 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730
Tel: (781) 918-4000 www.bedfordma.gov

SELECT BOARD

Daniel Brosgol, Chair
Terrence Parker, Clerk
Paul Mortenson
Bopha Malone
Shawn Hanegan

Select Board Agenda
Monday, August 31, 2026, 7:00 PM

In-Person: Select Board Hearing Room, Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way
Optional Zoom Webinar Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81494639946?pwd=JZHaSOSjYGyjYw5OpEwQxaVgcmtsUi.1
1-309-205-3325 Web ID 81494639946 Passcode: 502991
1. 7:00 PM Public Comment
2. 7:00 PM DPW - FY27 Police Vehicle Replacements
a. Two (2) Ford PIU Interceptor AWD SUV
3. 7:05 PM Board and Committee Interview
a. Cultural Council - Moriah Tumbleson-Shaw
b. Zoning Board of Appeals – Mark Rubin
4. 7:15 PM Finance Department- Al Rego, Finance Director
a. Approve Extension of Financial Articles
b. Review FY25 Financial Audit – Matt Hunt, CLA
5. 7:30 PM Discuss Route 62 Ghost Bike placement
6. 7:45 PM Open Special Town Meeting Warrant, review draft warrant
7. 8:00 PM Finalize Select Board Liaison Assignments
8. 8:05 PM Consent
a. 20(b) – Gabriel Courtemanche; Daisy Bhatt
b. Temporary Sign Permit – Destination Imagination
c. 7.27.26 & 8.10.26 Meeting Minutes
9. 8:10 PM Town Manager’s Report
10. 8:15 PM Liaison Reports
11. 8:20 PM Adjournment
Times are approximate
The Next Scheduled Meeting is September 21, 2026
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To request an accommodation,
please provide a description of the assistance needed and include your contact information in case additional details are
required. Advance notice is requested to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made. Please contact the Town
Manager’s Office at (781) 275-1111 or email [email protected].
Please note that the in-person meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the remote
connection.

TOWN OF BEDFORD

BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730

To:
From:
Subject:

Select Board
Autumn Ledgister-Cummins, Executive Assistant
Board and Committee Appointment

The Volunteer Coordinating Committee met and voted to recommend the following candidate,
appearing before you on August 31, 2026, to the Select Board for an interview and consideration of
appointment:
Applicant

Committee

Liaison

Vacancies

Term End

Moriah Tumbleson
- Shaw

Cultural Council

Terrence Parker

1

2029

The current membership is as follows:
Member
Ah Jin Andie Ryoo
Carol Epple
Deb Edinger
Barbara Purchia
Ellen Hurley
Heather Cooprider
Michael Albert
Susan Schwartz

Term End
2027
2027
2028
2028
2028
2028
2028
2029

Motion:
I move that the Select Board appoint Moriah Tumbleson - Shaw to the Cultural Council for a
term ending June 30, 2029, and authorize the Town Manager to sign letters on behalf of the Select
Board to this effect.

for appointment by completing this form and submitting it as indicated.
Please note that all candidates for appointment to a committee are interviewed,
and that prior to interviewing, they are required to visit at least one meeting of the
committee(s) in which they express interest.

Name

Moriah Tumbleson-Shaw

Occupation

HR & Operations manager

Phone Number
Email Address
Address
City

BEDFORD

State

MA

Zip Code

01730

Interested in Serving
on:

Cultural Council

Unless otherwise noted, the application will be forwarded to the Select Board,
which is the appointing authority. Board and Committees marked with an asterisk
(*) may have additional requirements or alternate processes for appointment;
please refer to the resources on the VCC webpage for more information.
Ad Hoc committees are typically created for a specific and temporary purpose.
Member of these committees are appointed for one-year terms.

How many meetings
have you attended of
the committee(s)
listed?

3

How many years have
you lived in Bedford?

10

Are you a registered
Bedford voter?

Yes

Have you attended

Yes

Bedford Town
Meeting?
When was the last year
you attended Town
Meeting?

2025

Please describe your
background or training
from work and/or life
experience that relates
to your interest in
government.

In my daily work I manage multiple projects and programs across
HR and operations. This requires collaboration, organization,
communication, and care. I believe those skills would translate to
working on the Bedford Cultural Council.

What Town
government experience
have you had?

None, except as an active voter, attending town meetings when I
can, and participating in community input everts.

What community
experience have you
had? Have you served
as an officer or held
any leadership position
in any other community
organization(s)?

I have served since 2025 as chair of the Social Responsibility
Council at First Parish, a granting arm of the church, which funds
nonprofits. I was treasurer of the Medford Family Network for 3
years. I served on the Medford Cultural Council prior to moving to
Bedford.

Additional information
for the Select Board to
consider.

I have a deep appreciation for art of all forms and would like to
help promote the arts and artists in and around Bedford. I was a
working ceramic artist for 12 years, teaching wheel thrown and
hand built classes and selling functional pottery. My BA is in
technical theatre with a minor in studio art. And I've worked at
several area cultural touchpoints, including the Boston MFA,
Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, and the Concord Museum.

Resume

Field not completed.

Do you have any
restrictions on your
availability to attend
committee meetings?

Not usually.

How do you hear about
this vacancy?

Andie Ryoo mentioned it at the 5/20 meeting

Feel free to call a member of the Volunteer Coordinating Committee to indicate
your interest or to find out more about a committee, the time commitment involved
and the process of appointment.

If you are unable to complete this form online, please provide your written
responses to the Town Manager’s Office, Town Hall at 10 Mudge Way.
Kelly Korenak Chair: 917-741-9934
Paula Gilarde: 781-572-6117
Jennifer Kelley: 617-331-1983
Angel Pettitt: 917-683-7018
Joseph Piantedosi: 978-852-9300
You may also contact the Town Manager's Office by email at
[email protected].

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

TOWN OF BEDFORD

BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730

To:
From:
Subject:

Select Board
Matt Bennet
Board and Committee Appointment – Mark Rubin

The Volunteer Coordinating Committee met and voted to recommend the following candidate,
appearing before you on August 31, 2026, to the Select Board for an interview and consideration of
appointment:
Applicant

Board

Liaison

Vacancies

Term End

Mark Rubin

Zoning Board of
Appeals

Dan Brosgol

2 Associate, 1 Full

2029

The current membership is as follows:
Member
Kay Hamilton (Associate)
Angelo Colasante (Full)
Lucille Wilson (Full)
Thomas P. Flannery (Full)
R. Jeffrey Dearing (Full)

Term End
2028
2028
2027
2027
2029

During their August 3rd meeting, the VCC voted to recommend Mark Rubin to an associate position
on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
After the VCC meeting, the Chair of the ZBA shared that Mark has been to half a dozen ZBA
meetings and would be a good fit for the full member position that is currently vacant. The existing
associate member is not interested in becoming a full member.
Motion:
I move that the Select Board appoint Mark Rubin to the Zoning Board of Appeals as a Full
Member for a term ending June 30, 2029, and authorize the Town Manager to sign letters on
behalf of the Select Board to this effect.

Vacancies occur and applications are considered throughout the year. Terms of
office vary from one to three years. Check with the Volunteer Coordinating
Committee to determine which committees have vacancies.

Appointment Process
If you would like to be a part of our Town Government, please initiate the process
for appointment by completing this form and submitting it as indicated.
Please note that all candidates for appointment to a committee are interviewed, and
that prior to interviewing, they are required to visit at least one meeting of the
committee(s) in which they express interest.

Name

Mark Rubin

Occupation

Sales

Phone Number
Email Address
Address
City

Bedford

State

MA

Zip Code

01730

Interested in Serving on:

Zoning Board of Appeals

Unless otherwise noted, the application will be forwarded to the Select Board,
which is the appointing authority. Board and Committees marked with an asterisk
(*) may have additional requirements or alternate processes for appointment;
please refer to the resources on the VCC webpage for more information.
Ad Hoc committees are typically created for a specific and temporary purpose.
Member of these committees are appointed for one-year terms.

How many meetings
have you attended of
the committee(s) listed?

ZBA - 6 I believe

How many years have
you lived in Bedford?

22

2

Are you a registered
Bedford voter?

Yes

Have you attended
Bedford Town Meeting?

Yes

When was the last year
you attended Town
Meeting?

2012

Please describe your
background or training
from work and/or life
experience that relates
to your interest in
government.

Town Meeting Once or Twice 10+ years ago.
Experience - Chemical Engineer by training. Software Sales
Executive last 20+ years, running sales organizations. In the
late 1980's and early 1990's owned many properties in Boston
and Worcester.

What Town government
experience have you
had?

None. However throughout my career I have been involved
with lawyers, contracts and negotiations with Public Sector and
private businesses.

What community
experience have you
had? Have you served
as an officer or held any
leadership position in
any other community
organization(s)?

President of the Bedford Jewish Group for more than 15 years.
Involved with RSVP organization in Town that includes Police,
Detective, and other community representatives to be proactive
on cultural issues before they become a problem. I coached
many sports teams for my kids, baseball, softball, soccer, and
helped with lacrosse, ski team, and basketball.

Additional information
for the Select Board to
consider.

Please see my resume for career progression and experience.

Resume

Mark Rubin 2025 ef.doc

Do you have any
restrictions on your
availability to attend
committee meetings?

Some work related travel

How do you hear about
this vacancy?

Outreach - Kelly Korenak

3

Feel free to call a member of the Volunteer Coordinating Committee to indicate
your interest or to find out more about a committee, the time commitment involved
and the process of appointment.
If you are unable to complete this form online, please provide your written
responses to the Town Manager’s Office, Town Hall at 10 Mudge Way.
Kelly Korenak Chair: 917-741-9934
Paula Gilarde: 781-572-6117
Angel Pettitt: 917-683-7018
Joseph Piantedosi: 978-852-9300
You may also contact the Town Manager's Office by email at
[email protected].

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
M

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4

TOWN OF BEDFORD
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730
AL REGO
FINANCE DIRECTOR / TOWN ACCOUNTANT

Town Hall
10 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730-2144
Phone 781-275-2218
Fax 781-275-9356
[email protected]

August 12, 2026
To:
From:
Re:

Select Board
Al Rego, Finance Director/Town Accountant
Articles to be Closed, Extended to be Carried Forward

As part of the annual fiscal close process, all unexpended special article balances are reviewed for compliance with Town
bylaw 13.2.
Any unexpended balance of an appropriation made for a specific purpose, except proceeds from bonds and notes, shall be
transferred to surplus revenue, two years after the date of the appropriation becomes available. Unexpended balances may
be transferred earlier to surplus revenue upon receipt of a statement that the specific purpose has been accomplished and that
no liabilities remain, unless any balance is earlier transferred to another use by Town Meeting vote, or unless a date is
otherwise specified in the original appropriation vote.
The Select Board may extend the expiration date upon written request from the responsible department on a year to year
basis for a period not to exceed a total of five years from the date of the availability of the appropriation.
Please note the following and detail tables that follow:
•
•
•

Tax Levy Special Articles totaling $11,056.99 were closed at end of FY2026.
Tax Levy Special Articles totaling $233,508.10 are recommended for carryforward into FY2027.
Tax Levy Special Articles totaling $5,004,259.52 will automatically carry forward into FY2027

Recommended Select Board Vote
I move that the Select Board approve the extension of Tax Levy Special Articles totaling $233,508.10 as presented in the
memo dated August 12, 2026, prepared by the Finance Director/Town Accountant.

Tax Levy Special Article Details
ORG
OBJECT PROJECT DEPARTMENT
02192021 580000 9075
192
02192022 580000 9067
192
02220024 580000 9169
220

FISCAL YEAR ACCT DESCRIPTION
2021
A23-21/15 INTERCOM SYST HS
2022
A23-21/04 EEMBSR-DAVIS SCHL
2024
24-10 FIRE-SHIFT COMMAND VEHIC

ORG
OBJECT PROJECT DEPARTMENT FISCAL YEAR ACCT DESCRIPTION
02192022 580000 9093
192
2022
A19-22/07 JG MS BLDSYS RETRO

FY26 ENCUMBRANCE FY26 BALANCE
Close/Reason for Extending
0.00
11,056.83 Close
0.00
405.70 Close
7,078.13
44.46 Funding should remain open as orders have been placed to
complete the vehicle purchase. The remainder of $44.46
can be closed out.
11,506.99 To be Closed in FY26

FY26 ENCUMBRANCE FY26 BALANCE
Close/Reason for Extending
0.00
10,716.77 There will be work performed this summer to finalize
controls programming and testing of equipment that was
installed in February 2026. This work can only be
performed during summer months when school is not in
session.
0.00
35,278.45 BHS and JGMS painting is completed over summer and
holiday breaks; this funding will be expended by the end of
the summer.
0.00
27,477.99 Will use these funds to replace carpets throughout town
hall.
0.00
17,500.00 Installation of cooling coils above music and art rooms in
the Lane School will be performed summer 2026. This work
can only be performed during summer months when
school is not in session.
0.00
10,300.00 Funding should remain open for future kitchen equipment
replacement. Food Bank operations have paused the need
to replace kitchen equipment this fiscal year.

02192023 580000 9127

192

2023

A7 23-11 HS&MS EXTERIOR PAINTI

02192023 580000 9128

192

2023

A7 23-12 DPW CARPET REPLACEMEN

02192023 580000 9130

192

2023

A7 23-14 LANE SCHL COOLING EQU

02192023 580000 9136

192

2023

A7 23-20 TOWN CENTER APPLIANCE

02192023 580000 9137

192

2023

A7 23-21 TOWN CENTER EXT PAINT

0.00

02300023 580000 9122

300

2023

A7 23-06 SCHL-PHOTOCOPIERS REP

0.00

02192024 580000 9172

192

2024

24-13 FACIL-TOWN CTR FLOORING

0.00

02220024 580000 9169

220

2024

24-10 FIRE-SHIFT COMMAND VEHIC

7,078.13

02400024 580000 9178

400

2024

24-19 DPW-TRAFFIC CALMING & PA

14,480.15
21,558.28

12,438.79 Town Center painting will continue through summer 2026
and will be completed fall 2026.
12,627.75 This funding will be encumbered and expended by the end
of the fiscal year.
11,023.00 Flooring work will continue summer 2026 on 2nd floor of
building.
Funding should remain open as orders have been placed to
complete the vehicle purchase. The remainder of $44.46
can be closed out.
74,587.07 Funding is needed due to project at Lane School related to
site access and related infrastructure.
211,949.82
233,508.10 Total Requested to be Carried into FY27

ORG
OBJECT PROJECT DEPARTMENT
02122025 578200 9202
122
0217525 580000 9203
175
02192025 580000 9184
192
02192025 580000 9186
192
02192025 580000 9188
192
02192025 580000 9189
192
02192025 580000 9190
192
02192025 580000 9194
192
02192025 580000 9200
192
02210025 580000 9192
210
02300025 580000 9183
300
02300025 580000 9185
300
02400025 580000 9191
400
02400025 580000 9193
400
02400025 580000 9196
400
02400025 580000 9197
400
02122026 578200 9222
122
02133026 530002 9221
133
02155026 580000 9219
000
02192026 580000 9213
192
02192026 580000 9214
192
02192026 580000 9215
192
02192026 580000 9216
192
02192026 580000 9217
192
02192026 580000 9223
192
02300026 580000 9220
000
02400026 580000 9204
400
02400026 580000 9205
400
02400026 580000 9206
400
02400026 580000 9207
400
02400026 580000 9208
400
02400026 580000 9209
400
02400026 580000 9211
400

FISCAL YEAR ACCT DESCRIPTION
FY26 ENCUMBRANCE FY26 BALANCE
2025
ATM24 A16 SALARY PLAN FUNDING
0.00
17,146.09
2025
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
0.00
45,381.00
2025
25-02 A9 FACIL-ALL SCHOOL FLOO
0.00
24,107.13
2025
25-04 A9 FACIL-SCHL INTER. PAI
0.00
23,985.20
2025
25-06 A9 FACIL-DAVIS ELEV CONT
0.00
73,408.90
2025
25-07 A9 FACIL-JGMS ELEV CONTR
0.00
75,274.47
2025
25-08 A9 JGMS INTRUSION ALARM
0.00
17,552.72
2025
25-12 A9 TOWN CTR FIRE ALARM R
0.00
71,996.00
2025
25-26 FAC-COMP SECURITY& EQUIP
0.00
25,389.23
2025
25-10 A9 POLICE CHANNEL 2 RADI
0.00
18.54
2025
25-01 A9 SCHL DURABLE F&E REPL
0.00
6,825.45
2025
25-03 A9 SCHL I.T. PLAN REPLAC
0.00
1,955.60
2025
25-09 A9 BEDFORD-BURLINGTON CO
0.00 2,000,000.00
2025
25-11 A9 DPW-STORMWTR PERMIT R
27,507.41
0.00
2025
25-14 A9 DPW TRAFFIC CALM&PCI
0.00
150,000.00
2025
25-15 DPW DPW-VEHICLE & EQUIP
0.00
167.30
2026
SALARY ADJUSTMENTS
0.00
75,000.00
2026
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING
0.00
2,679.48
2026
26-16 TOWN IT EQUIP & PROJECTS
0.00
183,426.22
2026
26-10 FACILITIES ALL SCHOOLS F
0.00
81,000.00
2026
26-11 FAC BHS BOILER DESIGN
0.00
270,120.00
2026
26-12 FAC LANE PAGING SYST REP
1,575.00
7,712.00
2026
26-13 FAC POLICE STATION FLOOR
0.00
75,000.00
2026
26-14 TOWN HALL -ADA IMPROVEME
0.00
388,400.00
2026
ATM25-ART 29 VFW BUILDING
0.00
7,320.00
2026
26-17 SCHOOL IT REPLACEMENT
0.00
73,688.11
2026
26-01 DPW LARGE EQUIP REPLACEM
166,682.57
2,975.00
2026
26-02 DPW SIDEWLK/HARDSCP/ADA
0.00
50,000.00
2026
26-03 DPW STORMWATER PERMIT RE
32,542.59
68,290.28
2026
26-04 DPW TRAN IMPROVE/TRAFFIC
0.00
250,000.00
2026
26-05 DPW VEHICLE & EQUIP REPL
12,438.02
0.00
2026
26-06 DPW WATER GATE VALVE EXC
0.00
212,047.50
2026
26-08 DPW WATER QUALITY IMPROV
0.00
482,647.71
240,745.59 4,763,513.93
5,004,259.52

FY27 Budget to Actuals as of 8.27.26
Without School Dept 300

100%

90%

100%

87%

72%

85%

69%

87%

95%

92%

81%

88%

85%

87%

81%

86%

85%

76%

90%

83%

89%

80%

100%

88%

89%

88%

87%

83%

87%

95%

57%

80%

60%

43%

40%

31%
28%
24%

20%

13%

15%

15%

13%

12%

10%

20%

19%

19%

13%

17%
14%

17%

15%
10%

8%

12%

11%

5%
0%

11%

12%

13%

13%

5%
0%

0%

% EXPENDED

% REMAINING

FY27 BUDGET TO ACTUALS as of 8.27.26
DEPT
122 SELECTMEN
131 FINANCE COMMITTEE
133 FINANCE
141 BOARD OF ASSESSORS
151 LEGAL SERVICES
155 IT
161 TOWN CLERK
162 ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATIONS
175 PLANNING BOARD
192 FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
210 POLICE DEPARTMENT
220 FIRE DEPARTMENT
240 CODE ENFORCEMENT
301 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
401 PUBLIC WORKS - REFUSE
403 PUBLIC WORKS - GROUNDS
404 PUBLIC WORKS - HIGHWAY
405 PUBLIC WORKS - MECHANICAL
406 PUBLIC WORKS - SEWER
407 PUBLIC WORKS - WATER
409 PUBLIC WORKS - ADMIN
423 SNOW & ICE
500 BOARD OF HEALTH
540 BEDFORD LOCAL TRANSIT
541 COUNCIL ON AGING
542 YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
610 LIBRARY
630 RECREATION COMMISSION
710 DEBT SERVICE
910 INSURANCE AND BENEFITS

GRAND TOTAL

ORIGINAL
APPRORIATION
1,464,811.00
751,614.00
1,077,315.00
350,384.00
200,300.00
1,227,000.00
338,702.00
54,675.00
287,629.00
3,885,061.00
5,744,760.00
3,789,301.00
778,543.00
1,625,701.00
2,119,510.00
962,247.00
2,561,116.00
766,463.00
5,072,197.00
3,778,139.00
1,653,643.00
342,453.00
548,412.00
73,685.00
329,423.00
661,167.00
1,719,795.00
60,456.00
11,600,000.00
20,417,451.00

74,241,953.00

TRANSFER
ADJUSTMENTS
6,355.00
12,463.00
3,600.00
25,000.00
14,087.00
255.00
549,227.00
9,672.00
23,137.00
150.00
163,909.00
42,788.00
247,813.00
3,233.00
30,500.00
363,259.00
51,654.00
739.00
981.00
17,630.00
31,771.00

1,598,223.00

REVISED BUDGET
1,471,166.00
751,614.00
1,089,778.00
353,984.00
225,300.00
1,241,087.00
338,702.00
54,675.00
287,884.00
4,434,288.00
5,754,432.00
3,812,438.00
778,693.00
1,625,701.00
2,283,419.00
1,005,035.00
2,808,929.00
769,696.00
5,102,697.00
4,141,398.00
1,705,297.00
343,192.00
549,393.00
73,685.00
329,423.00
678,797.00
1,719,795.00
60,456.00
11,600,000.00
20,449,222.00

75,840,176.00

YTD EXPENDED
141,245.86
235.00
139,966.57
95,296.76
18,680.00
374,056.05
45,707.70
2,715.00
22,700.73
381,606.90
674,684.97
578,207.50
99,586.56
312,254.49
329,050.29
127,244.19
653,833.28
75,985.39
842,724.50
423,661.51
228,968.02
64,274.85
7,863.64
38,617.02
84,257.88
287,301.45
7,738.50
550,729.80
8,833,263.70

15,442,458.11

ENCUMBRANCES
5,358.78
1,700.00
3,600.00
15,486.00
5,313.65
254.98
464,791.55
2,863.86
12,014.42
1,729.57
19,149.80
17,276.12
26,897.77
33,035.47
117,434.38
739.43
8.95
3,272.72
3,193.50

734,120.95

AVAILABLE
BUDGET
1,324,561.36
751,379.00
948,111.43
255,087.24
191,134.00
861,717.30
292,994.30
51,960.00
264,928.29
3,587,889.55
5,076,883.17
3,222,216.08
679,106.44
1,313,446.51
1,952,639.14
858,641.01
2,137,819.60
693,710.61
4,233,074.73
3,684,701.02
1,358,894.60
342,452.57
485,109.20
65,821.36
290,805.98
591,266.40
1,432,493.55
52,717.50
11,049,270.20
11,612,764.80

59,663,596.94

%
EXPENDED
10.0%
0.0%
13.0%
27.9%
15.2%
30.6%
13.5%
5.0%
8.0%
19.1%
11.8%
15.5%
12.8%
19.2%
14.5%
14.6%
23.9%
9.9%
17.0%
11.0%
20.3%
0.2%
11.7%
10.7%
11.7%
12.9%
16.7%
12.8%
4.7%
43.2%

21.33%

%
REMAINING
90.0%
100.0%
87.0%
72.1%
84.8%
69.4%
86.5%
95.0%
92.0%
80.9%
88.2%
84.5%
87.2%
80.8%
85.5%
85.4%
76.1%
90.1%
83.0%
89.0%
79.7%
99.8%
88.3%
89.3%
88.3%
87.1%
83.3%
87.2%
95.3%
56.8%

78.67%

So again thanks for taking time in a busy day/week/season - I appreciate it - Terry

On Mon, Aug 19, 2024 at 8:14 AM T Gleason <

> wrote:

Hi David,
Some folks in Concord with support from colleagues in Bedford would like to place a 'ghostbike'
near the crossing where the Concord cyclist was killed in July. I offered to check with the Town,
explain what the ghostbike symbolizes, where it has been used, and address any concerns that
might arise.
Do you have 10 minutes today for a phone call or visit to discuss this? The goal would be to confirm
Town ROW at the crossing (see attachment) and identify any DPW constraints or requirements.
We're assuming the approval will actually occur later in the process (Town Manager, Selectboard)
but all parties will want to know if DPW is satisfied that the placement (to be discussed) will not
negatively affect maintenance or safety.
Thanks,
Terry

CONCORD CHAPTER

MASSACHUSETTS
Sunday, June 7, 2026
TO: Matt Hanson, Bedford Town Manager
CC: Dawn LaFrance Linde and John McClain, Co-Chairs Transportation Advisory Committee; Peter
Weichman, Chair Bicycle Advisory Committee; and Paul Mortenson, Select Board Liason to
TAC/BAC
FROM: The Concord Chapter of Mothers Out Front
SUBJECT: Support for Ghost Bike

Dear Town Manager Hanson,
We are writing in strong support of maintaining the ghost bike at its current location as a memorial
to Tamar Vishlitsky.
Tamar’s tragic death deeply affected our leadership team and served as a wake-up call to the
dangers faced by vulnerable road users throughout our region. Her loss resonated so strongly
because many of us have walked, run, and biked this trail crossing with our families and friends for
years. In fact, one member of our leadership team was riding the trail with her entire family,
returning from the Museum of Science, on the day of the crash.
Those who regularly use this crossing know firsthand how dangerous it can be. Many have
experienced near misses or moments when they feared for their safety. For people unfamiliar with
the area who are walking, jogging, or biking on the trail, the ghost bike serves as a powerful
reminder that this crossing requires caution and attention. For motorists, it is a visible cue to slow
down, stay alert, and recognize that they are approaching a location where a life was tragically lost.
The memorial not only honors Tamar’s memory but also helps raise awareness of the ongoing safety
challenges at this crossing. As visitation to Concord and the surrounding area has increased,
particularly during the 250th anniversary commemorations of the American Revolution, the
reminder it provides is more important than ever.

We respectfully urge that the ghost bike remain in its current location as both a memorial and a
meaningful reminder of the importance of protecting all who use our roads and trails.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Linda Nieman
Co-Coordinator
Mothers Out Front-Concord
On behalf of the Mothers Out Front-Concord Leadership Team

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

TOWN OF BEDFORD, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
WARRANT FOR A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
To any of the Constables of the Town of Bedford, in the County of Middlesex.
Greetings—
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the legal voters of said Town
of Bedford, qualified to vote at Special Town Meeting for the transaction of Town affairs, to meet in said Town in
the Bedford High School Auditorium (9 Mudge Way) on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Then and there to vote upon the following articles:
Contents
Article 1 Debate Rules ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Article X Accept M.G.L. c.44, §54(b)— Prudent Investor Rule ........................................................................................... 2
Article X Reaffirm Community Preservation Surcharge ........................................................................................................ 3
Article X Street Acceptances ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Article X General Bylaw Amendment- Noise Regulations .................................................................................................... 4
Article X General Bylaw Amendment- Outdoor Lighting ..................................................................................................... 5
Article X General Bylaw Amendment- Sign regulations for multifamily housing............................................................ 10
Article X Zoning Bylaw Amendment- Small Clean Energy Facilities ................................................................................ 10
Article X Zoning Bylaw Amendment- Data Center.............................................................................................................. 11
Article X Placeholder ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

1

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

Article 1
Debate Rules
To determine whether the Town will vote to adopt the following procedure for the current Special Town Meeting:
A. The main motion having been submitted in advance, and presentations having been made available for viewing
before the meeting, presentations will be limited to ten (10) minutes;
B. No amendment shall be accepted unless submitted in writing. A speaker presenting an amendment to an
article shall be limited to five (5) minutes;
C. Speakers shall be limited to five (5) minutes;
D. No article shall be presented after 10:15 p.m.; and
E. Town Meeting by majority vote may waive A, B, C, or D;
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes time limitations on presentations and debate of articles before this Town Meeting.
This article requires a 2/3rds majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval Recommended
Finance Committee: Approval Recommended
Article X
Accept M.G.L. c.44, §54(b)— Prudent Investor Rule
To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, §54(b) to allow Town trust
funds to be invested in accordance with G.L. c.203C, the so-called “Prudent Investment Rule”, or take any other action
relative thereto.
EXPLANATION: The FY24 state budget, Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023, included a change to the standards for investment of trust funds in
municipalities. Section 26 amends M.G.L. c. 44, §54, to insert a local acceptance provision that allows investment in accordance with the so-called
“Prudent Investment Rule” (G.L. c. 203C), which essentially allows for a broader range of investments, some of which may be “riskier” than what
would otherwise be allowed for investments in savings banks. Voting yes for this article will allow our city/town/district to invest our trust funds,
including cemetery perpetual care funds, unless otherwise provided or directed by the donor of the funds under the Prudent Investment
Rule. Prudent investing allows for much greater investment diversification opportunities than what is currently allowed under the MA Legal List of
Investments. Where appropriate, Prudent investing allows investment managers to use diversified mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, bonds,
alternative investments, etc. Previously, these municipal funds had to adhere to a very short and restrictive list of stock and bond investments by
law. Prudent investing does not inherently mean more risk in the investment portfolio, it simply means that there are greater investment options, which
allows for reduced concentration risk and an overall more balanced portfolio allocation. This article requires simple majority approval.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval x
Finance Committee: Approval x

2

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

Article X
Reaffirm Community Preservation Surcharge
To determine whether the Town will vote to reaffirm a property tax surcharge of three percent (3%) of the taxes
assessed annually on real property which shall be dedicated to the Community Preservation Fund, such surcharge to
be imposed on taxes assessed for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2027; and further, to discontinue the
practice of seeking annual Town Meeting reaffirmation of the surcharge, with the existing surcharge to
remain in effect unless and until amended or revoked in accordance with the Community Preservation Act,
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article would reaffirm the Town’s existing 3% Community Preservation Act surcharge and discontinue the
practice of presenting an article to Town Meeting each year solely to reaffirm the existing surcharge.
Bedford adopted the Community Preservation Act in 2001. At that time, the Select Board stated that it would include an article on the
Town Meeting Warrant annually to reaffirm the three percent (3%) surcharge. The property tax surcharge may be any percentage up to
3%. Bedford was among the first communities in Massachusetts to adopt the CPA, and the annual article provided an opportunity for
Town Meeting to revisit the surcharge as the new program was implemented. The Community Preservation Act does not require annual
Town Meeting authorization for an existing surcharge. Accordingly, this article proposes to discontinue the Town's longstanding practice
of seeking annual reaffirmation when no change to the surcharge is proposed. The current three percent (3%) surcharge would remain in
effect. A change of the CPA surcharge would require a vote of Town Meeting, and would also need approval of Bedford’s registered voters
at the Annual Town Election. This article requires simple majority approval.
Each year the Town receives matching funds from the Commonwealth, as a result of having accepted this Act. In Fiscal Year 2026 the
Town received a total of $436,544 from Commonwealth distributions. This total match was 19.15% based on $2,707,961 contributed
by Bedford taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2025. A 18% match is projected for next year because it is not known at this time how much money
will be available and how many communities will be participating in the program.
DELETE Reminder of Old Language: This article would authorize the Town to continue to levy in Fiscal Year 2027 a surcharge of
three percent (3%) on property taxes to be used for purposes authorized under the Community Preservation Act, which the Town accepted
in 2001. Each year the Town receives matching funds from the Commonwealth, as a result of having accepted this Act. In Fiscal Year
2025 the Town received a total of $428,773 from Commonwealth distributions. This total match was 20.6 based on $2,551,608
contributed by Bedford taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2024. A 18% match is projected for next year because it is not known at this time how
much money will be available and how many communities will be participating in the program.
Both municipal and Commonwealth funds are to be used exclusively for affordable housing, open space preservation, historic preservation,
and recreation. Under the Act, municipalities are required to spend or reserve for future expenditure at least ten percent (10%) of the fund
for each of the first three above purposes. The property tax surcharge may be any percentage up to three percent (3%). The Select Board is
placing this article on the Warrant of this Special Town Meeting in keeping with a commitment made at the time the Community
Preservation Act was accepted. If Town Meeting were to adopt any percentage other than the current three percent (3%) in effect, this
change would also need approval of Bedford’s registered voters at the Annual Town Election in March 2026.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee:
Approval X
Community Preservation Committee: Approval X
Article X
Street Acceptances
3

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

To determine whether the Town will vote to X Page, Freedom
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X
Article X
General Bylaw Amendment- Noise Regulations
To determine whether the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws in Articles 37 Noise Regulations by adopting the
following, and any other immaterial renumbering and formatting of the General Bylaws that may be necessary:
(Additions shown in bold, deletions in strikethrough, explanations in italics. Note that full sections are not always shown, to save space.)

The following noise regulations shall not apply to work required by a genuine and imminent emergency, and then
only to the extent necessary to prevent injury to persons or damage to property. These regulations shall also not
apply to public work performed by a Town of Bedford department when the department head determines that the
public interest is served.
A. No excavation, demolition or construction work is permitted within the Town of Bedford except between the hours of
7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays as specified in Massachusetts General Laws), or between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday (excluding holidays as specified in Massachusetts General Laws), or except in
the case of work occasioned by a genuine and imminent emergency, and then only to the extent necessary to prevent loss or
injury to persons or property and except in the case of public work performed by Town of Bedford departments when the
public interest, as determined by the department head, is served.
B. No commercial hauler shall pick up or remove trash, rubbish, refuse or debris of any kind within the Town of Bedford
between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the Director of the Bedford Board of Health shall have certified in writing
that the public health requires such operations.
C. No landscaping work involving motorized equipment, gas- or electric-powered, is permitted within the Town of
Bedford except between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, or holidays as specified in Massachusetts General Laws.
D. No gas-powered leaf blower may be operated within the Town of Bedford except during the spring cleanup
period of March 15 through May 31 and the fall cleanup period of October 15 through December 31. This restriction
applies to all persons, including residents and commercial landscaping companies, but shall not apply to properties
larger than one acre. Outside the permitted periods, only battery-electric or other non-gas-powered leaf blowers may
be operated, subject to the hours established in Section C.
C. E. Any violation of this bylaw shall be punishable by a fine of up to Four Hundred Dollars. Alternatively, the provisions of
this bylaw may be enforced by any Bedford police officer, Director of Code Enforcement, or by the Bedford Health
Director by means of a noncriminal citation pursuant to M.G.L. C. 40
§21D, pursuant to the following penalty schedule:
4

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

First offense: Warning
Second offense: $100. penalty
Third offense: $300. penalty
Fourth or subsequent offenses: $400. penalty
For purposes of both judicial and of noncriminal enforcement, any day or portion thereof when a violation is suffered to exist
shall constitute a separate offense.
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.

EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X

Article X
General Bylaw Amendment- Outdoor Lighting
To determine whether the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws in Articles XX by adopting the following in its
entirety, and any other immaterial renumbering and formatting of the General Bylaws that may be necessary:

SECTION 1 - Purpose
The purpose of this By-law is to regulate the use of new and replacement outdoor lighting fixtures so as to:
(1)
provide adequate, well-designed lighting for the safety and security for all Bedford residents and for the safe
performance of outdoor tasks at night;
(2)
control glare to ensure safe navigation for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians at night;
(3)
protect residents from light trespass, which negatively affects the enjoyment of property;
(4)
minimize light pollution to the greatest extent possible, especially blue light, which can cause negative effects
on human health and nocturnal organisms;
(5)
preserve the night sky as a natural resource to enhance nighttime enjoyment of property within Bedford.
(6)
promote efficient lighting to conserve energy and thus reduce atmospheric carbon emissions, and decrease
lighting cost without decreasing nighttime safety, security, and productivity.
SECTION 2 - Applicability.
All new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures installed on any property within the Town after this Bylaw
becomes effective shall comply with the requirements established by this By-law. This Bylaw is applicable to all
residential, commercial, and municipal outdoor luminaires and in all zones.
Unless exempted elsewhere in this Bylaw, all new and replacement exterior luminaires with an output of greater
than 600 lumens shall be fully shielded.
Outdoor lighting shall be designed for safety and for personal security. Glare and light spillover, as defined below,
shall be controlled to protect inhabitants from the consequences of stray light shining into inhabitant’s eyes or onto
adjoining properties. Control of light pollution, as defined below, shall be required to minimize the negative effect
of misdirected upward light. All exterior lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so that it
illuminates the task intended and does not shine directly onto neighboring properties or roadways or distribute
excessive light skyward.
SECTION 3 - Definitions
5

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

BUG rating system: A lighting classification system (IES TM-15-20 standard or its successor) by the Illuminating
Engineering Society (IES) and DarkSky International to describe the light-pollution contributions from outdoor
luminaires, including for street and parking-lot lighting. Each letter is attached to a number ranging from 0 (ideal) to
5 (unacceptable). B describes backlight that often contributes to light trespass. U describes uplight, which
contributes to skyglow, which limits a person’s ability to see the stars. G describes glare, which makes it difficult for
people to see and thus makes roadways more dangerous and security lighting less effective.
Café lighting: A string of multiple lights hung between two points and used to decorate outdoor spaces in ways and
at times not associated with holidays. Also known as party lighting or festoon lighting.
Correlated color temperature (CCT): A specification of the color appearance of the light emitted by a light source,
measured in Kelvin (K). CCT values are typically provided in lighting-manufacturer data sheets. For example, highpressure-sodium (HPS) streetlights are approximately 2000 K and “warm-white” lamps are typically 2700 K.
Environmentally sensitive area: Light-sensitive areas that include: any land subject to a conservation restriction,
legally recognized wetlands, agricultural land, or any land that contains threatened or endangered-species habitats.
Foot-candle: A measurement of illuminance, which is the intensity of light incident on a surface. One (1) footcandle (fc) is defined as enough light to uniformly illuminate one square foot (1 ft2) with one (1) lumen. One footcandle corresponds to 10.764 lux (lx), which is the SI (International System of Units) unit of illuminance.
Fully shielded: An outdoor luminaire constructed so that, in its installed position, all of the light emitted by the
luminaire is projected below the horizontal plane that passes through the lowest light emitting part of the luminaire.
See Figure 1.
Glare: Intense and harsh light emitted by a luminaire that reduces visibility and creates visual discomfort and/or
momentary visual impairment. Discomfort Glare causes a nuisance due to overly bright light sources in the field of
view. Disability Glare causes interference in the visual process and impairs the viewer’s vision. OR - Glare shall mean
the sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted so
as to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility. The magnitude of the sensation of glare depends upon
factors such as the size, position, and luminance of the source, the number of sources, and the luminance to which the eyes are adapted.
Holiday lighting: Decorative lighting temporarily installed on or near homes, businesses, and public spaces to
celebrate holidays and seasonal events.
Illuminance: The intensity of light incident on a surface, often measured on horizontal or vertical surfaces in footcandles (fc or lumens/ft2). Example: the full Moon illuminates the ground with an illuminance of 0.01 fc.
IES: Illuminating Engineering Society, the recognized authoritative body on the science and application of lighting,
which publishes and promotes recommended practices for a variety of specific lighting applications.
Lamp: The bulb or other light-emitting portion of a luminaire, not inclusive of any reflective or refractive optics
used to direct light.
Light pollution: An adverse and/or obtrusive effect of the use of outdoor light at night. OR Light pollution shall
mean illumination which extends beyond an object, structure or area, which the light fixture is designed to serve, so
as to produce glare, or otherwise interfere with viewing of natural vistas such as the night sky.
Light trespass: Light emitted by a luminaire or from an adjacent reflective surface that shines beyond the property
boundary on which the luminaire is installed.
Lumen: A unit of luminous flux; the flux emitted within a unit solid angle by a point source with a uniform
luminous intensity of one candela (the SI unit of luminous intensity).
Luminaire: A complete lighting assembly, consisting of a lamp or lamps, housing, optic(s), and other structural
elements, but not including any mounting pole or surface.
Luminance: The amount of light that passes through, is emitted by, or reflected from a particular area, and falls
within a specified solid angle. The SI unit of luminance is candela per square meter (cd/m2), also known as a nit.
Nuisance: The unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful use of outdoor lighting, which causes inconvenience,
disruption of enjoyment, or damage to others, either to individuals and/or to the general public.
Skyglow: A measurable glow in the night sky deriving from an artificial source.
Wall sconce: A decorative luminaire affixed to a vertical exterior wall.
Walkway lighting: One or more outdoor luminaires installed adjacent to a walkway to provide wayfinding and safe
movement for pedestrians and/or personal-mobility devices.
6

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

SECTION 4 - STANDARDS FOR COMMERICAL and INDUSTRIAL Properties & Multifamily
Properties
(1)
Scope and Applicability. This section applies to commercial and industrial properties, the common areas of
condominium complexes and homeowner associations, and other properties with dwellings for more than three
families.
(2)
Priority of Bylaw Provisions. In case of conflict between any of the provisions of this Bylaw or any other
state or federal regulation, and if such state or federal regulation allows for more restrictive local regulation, the
most restrictive shall apply.
(3)
New Lighting. All outdoor luminaires installed after the effective date of this Bylaw shall comply with the
requirements established by this Bylaw.
(4)
Existing Lighting. All outdoor luminaires installed prior to the effective date of this Bylaw that do not
comply with the requirements of this Bylaw are declared to be non-conforming. All non-conforming luminaires may
continue to be used and maintained after the effective date of this Bylaw but shall be brought into compliance with
the requirements herein within ten (10) years of the effective date of this Bylaw or upon the first to occur of any of
the following:
A)
A determination by the Inspector of Buildings that the luminaire or its installation constitutes a hazard to
public safety or otherwise constitutes a nuisance.
B)
The replacement of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the existing system of luminaires intended to
illuminate a specific area.
C)
Expansions exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross floor area, the number of dwelling units, or
the number of parking spaces. This requirement may be reduced by permit issued by the Planning Board upon a
simple majority finding that such reduction will not detract from the objectives of this bylaw.
(5)
Shielding.
A)
Unless exempted elsewhere in this Bylaw, all single-lamp outdoor luminaires shall be fully shielded.
B)
Lighting of building façades, landscaping, monuments, plaques, flagpoles, and similar installations are
exempted from the shielding requirements of this bylaw, but shall be focused directly at the target so that the light
does not create a nuisance. It is the Town’s preference that such lighting be turned off or dimmed between 12 a.m.
and 6 a.m. or within one (1) hour of the posted closing time for that facility, whichever occurs later.
(6)
Light Output.
A)
The output of any outdoor luminaire installed at a height below twenty (20) feet shall not exceed five
thousand (5,000) lumens, except as permitted in Section 3.6.2.
B)
An outdoor luminaire may exceed five thousand (5,000) lumens if its output does not exceed the groundlevel luminance values recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) for the specific application by
more than fifty percent (50%).
C)
An outdoor luminaire exceeding the lumen values in Sections 3.6.1 and 3.6.2 may be installed by permit
issued by the Planning Board upon a simple majority finding that extenuating circumstances related to safety and
security justify an exception.
(7)
Correlated color temperature. The correlated color temperature (CCT) of the light emitted by an outdoor
luminaire shall not exceed 2700 K. An outdoor luminaire may exceed this CCT value by permit issued by the
Planning Board upon a simple majority finding that extenuating circumstances related to safety and security justify
an exception.
(8) Height.
A)
Scope and Applicability. This subsection applies only to luminaires used for illuminating outdoor areas such
as parking lots, driveways, walkways, yards, or other ground surfaces, whether mounted on freestanding poles or on
buildings, but it shall not apply to building mounted luminaires intended primarily for entrance, porch, architectural,
or decorative lighting.
B)
The maximum mounting height of such luminaires shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet. A maximum
mounting height of thirty-five (35) feet may be allowed by permit issued by the Planning Board upon a simple
majority finding that the increased height will not negatively impact abutting properties, particularly property used
or zoned for residential purposes.
7

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

(9)
Hours of Operation.
A)
Outdoor lighting shall not be illuminated between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m with the following exceptions:
1.
If the use is being operated, such as a business open to customers, or where employees are working or
where an institution or place of public assembly is conducting an activity, normal illumination shall be allowed
during the activity and for not more than one half hour after the activity ceases.
2.
Low level lighting sufficient for the security of persons or property on the lot may be in operation between
11 p.m. and 6 a.m., provided the average illumination on the ground or on any vertical surface is not greater than
0.5-foot candles.
SECTION 5 - Standards for Residential Properties
(1)
This section applies to properties with single- and two-family residential dwellings, accessory dwelling units
(ADUs), and individually-owned dwellings that are part of a condominium complex or homeowner association.
(2)
Residential outdoor lighting, including but not limited to, security, floodlighting, walkway illumination,
driveway illumination, flagpoles, outdoor living areas, and outdoor recreational facilties, shall not unduly
inconvenience abutters by having outdoor lighting shining directly into their windows or onto their properties.
(3)
In all residential neighborhoods, all outdoor lighting, shall be continuous (not flashing), indirect, and
installed and/or shielded in a manner that shall prevent direct light from shining onto or upon any street and/or
adjacent or abutting property.
(4)
Temporary holiday lighting shall be exempt from these requirements.
SECTION 6 - Nuisance.
No outdoor luminaire shall create a lighting nuisance in the form of excessive light trespass or glare, as defined
below. No new or replacement exterior fixture installed within the Town shall create a lighting nuisance in the form
of light trespass or glare.
(1) Light trespass.
A)
The maximum vertical illuminance created by one or more outdoor luminaires shall not exceed 0.1 footcandle when measured fifteen (15) feet inside the property line of an adjacent residential property or at the exterior
wall of a dwelling on the adjacent property, whichever is closer to the outdoor luminaire(s), at a point five (5) feet
above grade.
B) The maximum vertical illuminance shall not exceed 0.05 foot-candle when measured at the property line of an
environmentally sensitive area.
C) The Inspector of Buildings may grant exceptions due to extenuating circumstances related to safety and security.
(2)
Glare. Glare is declared to be a lighting nuisance when it constitutes a hazard to public safety along a public
way or exceeds the standards listed in 6.1.A.
(3)
A motion-activated luminaire that causes a nuisance but otherwise complies with this Bylaw is permitted as
long as its output remains on for no more than 10 minutes, does not flicker intermittently, and is not triggered by
right-of-way traffic in any form.
(4)
The determination of light trespass and/or glare will be made by the Inspector of Buildings or their designee
after a site visit and a visual inspection.
A)
Light trespass. The maximum vertical illuminance at a property line shall not exceed 0.1 foot‐candle. The
determination as to compliance shall be made by the Inspector of Buildings or their designee and vertical
illuminance shall be measured at the property line measured five (5) feet above grade with the meter aimed toward
the subject property and perpendicular to the property line. The Town Administrator in coordination with DPW,
the Police Department, and Public Health Department may grant exceptions due to extenuating circumstances
related to safety and security.
B)
Glare is declared to be a lighting nuisance when it constitutes a hazard to public safety along a public way or
causes intense discomfort to occupants of adjacent properties. This determination will be made by the Inspector of
Buildings or designee through a site visit and a visual inspection.
SECTION 7 - Prohibitions
8

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

The use of searchlights, sky beams, or any outdoor luminaire that dynamically varies its output by intermittently
fading, flashing, blinking, or rotating is prohibited, except for holiday lighting or as required by public-safety and
public works personnel in temporary situations.
SECTION 8 - Exemptions
The following are exempt from compliance with all provisions of this Bylaw, except as noted:
(1)
Temporary emergency lighting needed by the Police, Fire, and Public Works departments; or other lawenforcement and emergency services, as well as all vehicle-mounted luminaires.
(2)
Lighting employed during repairs of roads, utilities, and similar infrastructure, including unshielded lighting,
provided that such lighting is deployed, positioned, and aimed such that to the extent possible the resulting glare
and light trespass do not extend beyond the work area.
(3)
Any form of lighting whose use is mandated or otherwise governed by any legal jurisdiction with broader
authority than that of the Town of Bedford.
(4)
Temporary lighting for events sponsored by the Town of Bedford or for which a license or other approval
has been issued, such as concerts, fairs, and festivals.
(5)
Holiday lighting, walkway lighting, and café lighting. However, it is the Town’s preference that the outdoor
luminaires used for these purposes be aimed so as to minimize light trespass on adjacent properties and be turned
off between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
(6)
Luminaires used to illuminate athletic fields or recreational facilities shall, to the greatest extent possible,
satisfy the on-field illuminance values in the latest version of ANSI/IES RP-6, Recommended Practice: Lighting
Sports and Recreational Areas. Further, such luminaires must be aimed so as to minimize light trespass on adjacent
properties and must be turned off within one (1) hour after the end of play or by 10 p.m., whichever occurs later.
SECTION 9 - Enforcement
(1)
The requirements of this bylaw shall be enforced by the Inspector of Buildings or by another person
appointed or engaged by the Town for this purpose.
(2)
In the event an enforcement action is initiated, the owner of any lot, dwelling, commercial, or industrial
property on which an outdoor luminaire subject to this Bylaw is located or proposed to be located shall have the
burden of demonstrating that the existing or proposed outdoor luminaire complies with the requirements of this
Bylaw.
(3) The applicant for any permit or exception under this Bylaw shall submit evidence that the proposed work will
comply with this Bylaw. Any costs associated with such proof of compliance will be paid by the applicant. The
submission shall contain, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following:
A) Plans indicating the location on the premises of each outdoor luminaire, both existing and proposed.
B)
Description of all luminaires, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, both existing and proposed. The
description may include, but is not limited to, specification data and illustrations by manufacturers (including
sections where required).
C)
Photometric data, such as that supplied by manufacturers, photometric site drawings, and/or on-site
calibrated light meter light level readings.
(4)
Violations and Penalties. The Inspector of Buildings may issue orders to enforce the terms of this bylaw,
and may seek injunctive relief and utilize any other appropriate remedy to compel compliance, including the
issuance of fines and penalties and the use of non-criminal disposition as provided in M.G.L. c. 40D, § 21D.
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X
9

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

Article X
General Bylaw Amendment- Sign regulations for multifamily housing
To determine whether the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws in Articles 39 Sign Bylaw by adopting the following,
and any other immaterial renumbering and formatting of the General Bylaws that may be necessary:
(Additions shown in bold, deletions in strikethrough, explanations in italics. Note that full sections are not always shown, to save space.)

Various administrative changes are being drafted, adjustments to “districts”, and the following sections are being added:

DRAFT
For multifamily housing, one freestanding monument sign shall be allowed, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area
per face, for each primary driveway entrance, but not more than two such signs per housing development, subject to approval
by the Planning Board if the project is developed pursuant to Site Plan or Special Permit options of the Zoning Bylaw, or by
the Zoning Board of Appeals if the project is developed by Comprehensive Permit. Such sign(s) shall not exceed six (6) feet in
height and shall be placed in a manner that does not impede sight distance for vehicles exiting the premises. Any portion of a
sign proposed in a road right of way, or on land owned by or intended to be granted to the Town of Bedford, shall be subject
to a license agreement with the Select Board.
The Selectmen may authorize such freestanding sign to include digital display, but not animation, of announcements of
municipal events and emergencies.
For proposed municipal electronic signs, what is anticipated size and placement? See 39.4 Section 3.B for applicable business
zone criteria, which otherwise allows 30 SF but a minimum 5’ setback. Consider criteria for HDC approval in historic district,
minimum time for each message displayed, color limitations, ...? What will be pushback from business community and houses
of worship for disparate treatment?
Public Art, as approved/promoted/authorized by the Cultural District Partnership or the Bedford Select Board, shall not be
considered a “sign” for the purposes of this Bylaw.

or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X
Article X
Zoning Bylaw Amendment- Small Clean Energy Facilities
To determine whether the Town will vote to X
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X
10

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

Article X
Zoning Bylaw Amendment- Data Center
To determine whether the Town will vote to X
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X
Article X
Placeholder
To determine whether the Town will vote to X
or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
EXPLANATION This article proposes.
This article requires simple majority approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Select Board:
Approval X
Finance Committee: Approval X
and you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall and in at least three (3)
other public places in the Town at least fourteen (14) days before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make return of this Warrant with your doings thereof at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands on this Xth day of Xber in the year Two Thousand Twenty-Six.
SELECT BOARD OF BEDFORD
DAN BROSGOL, CHAIR
TERRENCE PARKER

SHAWN HANEGAN

BOPHA T. MALON E

PAUL MORTENSON

I have served this warrant by posting attested printed copies thereof at the Town Hall and four other places of
public travel.
11

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

_____________________________________
Constable

_______________________________, 2026.
(month and day)

12

Town of Bedford, Massachusetts—Special Town Meeting—November 16, 2026

Guidelines for Civil Discourse
Whereas, the Bedford Select Board desires civil discourse among and before all Town of Bedford boards
and committees;
Now, therefore, the Bedford Select Board hereby establishes guidelines for ensuring orderly and
peaceable discourse at public meetings and in all matters related to business of these public bodies as
follows:
Members of the public shall follow any guidelines from the Chair regarding who speaks,
when, and for how long.
Members of the public shall not disrupt others’ comments or the conduct of the public
meeting.
Outside of general public comment periods, speakers shall limit their comments to those
reasonably related to the agenda item or subject at hand.
In order to guarantee full participation by all people and to ensure productive discourse, we also
encourage all citizens to respect the following guidelines:
Show respect for others.
Allow each person to finish speaking before responding.
Use helpful, not hurtful language.
Speak as you would like to be spoken to.
Use courtesy titles (Mr., Ms., Sir, etc.) and ask if unsure.
Restate ideas when asked.
Use a civil tone of voice.
Agree to listen.
Respectfully listen to differing points of view.
When unsure, request clarification.
Realize that what you say and what people understand you to have said may be
different.
Recognize that people can agree to disagree.
Speak for yourself, not others.
Speak from your own experience.
Use “I” statements (“I think that the ideas presented . . .”).
Follow agreed-upon guidelines regarding who speaks when and for how long.

Volunteers Needed to Serve on Town Committees

If you are thinking about helping your Town, now or in the future, the Volunteer Coordinating
Committee encourages you to attend a meeting of the committee that you are interested in, then fill out
and submit a questionnaire/application form. For information on committees and openings, as well as a
link to the volunteer questionnaire and list of Volunteer Coordinating Committee members, please visit:
bedfordma.gov/vcc.
For back-up material and other information about Special Town Meeting, please visit
bedfordma.gov/town-meeting

.
13

Seasonal Restrictions on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Memo
Created by Ruby Jordan-Borges, CELT Fellow, August 2026

Executive Summary
The Bedford Town Manager has been asked by the Select Board to adopt a seasonal restriction on the use of gaspowered leaf blowers, supported by town-wide operating-hour limits and a gradual transition to battery-electric leaf
blowers for commercial landscaping companies. Many Massachusetts communities, including Lexington and
Concord, have adopted seasonal restrictions to reduce excessive noise, improve air quality, and decrease greenhouse
gas emissions. A seasonal restriction provides a practical and balanced approach that addresses environmental and
public health concerns while recognizing the need for gas-powered equipment for some residents and businesses. By
implementing this policy, Bedford will support reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve residents'
health and quality of life, and advance the Town's sustainability goals through a clear and achievable regulatory
framework.

Background & Methodology
Gas-powered leaf blowers are a concern in many Massachusetts municipalities because they contribute to noise
pollution, public health impacts, and GHG emissions. Many municipalities, including nearby Arlington, Lexington,
and Concord, are turning to battery-powered or electric equipment to meet their needs by adopting equipment
standards, seasonal restrictions, and phased bans on gas-powered leaf blowers. Additionally, these regulations are
intended to improve public health and support municipal climate and sustainability goals.
Gas-powered leaf blowers contribute to noise and air pollution, creating environmental and public health concerns.
Their exhaust can release particulate matter and other harmful emissions, while their high noise levels can disturb
residents and workers. Leaf blowers can also stir up dust, allergens, and other particles from the ground, increasing
exposure to airborne pollutants. Transitioning to electric leaf blowers can help communities reduce these impacts.
This memo is based on a review of municipal ordinances, bylaws, and policy documents from several Massachusetts
communities. The research compared policy approaches, including seasonal restrictions, allowable hours of
operation, enforcement methods, and penalties. Results from a Bedford Citizen poll on leaf blower regulation were
also used.
Further research included a review of scientific literature and publications on the environmental, public health, and
noise impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers, as well as information on the benefits of electric and battery-powered
leaf blowers. Municipal policies were reviewed from communities with demographic, geographic, and land-use
characteristics similar to Bedford's to help identify possible enforcement and regulatory strategies.

Key Findings
A review of Massachusetts municipal bylaws found that many towns and cities have adopted regulations on gaspowered leaf blowers to reduce noise pollution, improve air quality, protect public health, and support local climate
goals. Although regulations vary considerably among municipalities, the most common approaches include seasonal
restrictions, operating-hour limits, equipment noise standards, phased transitions to battery-electric equipment, and
exemptions based on property size or equipment type. These differences demonstrate that municipalities tailor their
regulations to reflect local land-use patterns, community needs, and operational considerations rather than adopting

a one-size-fits-all approach. Bedford should develop a regulation that addresses its mix of residential, commercial,
and industrial land uses while balancing environmental objectives with the practical needs of residents, landscaping
businesses, and municipal operations.
Key Finding 2: Seasonal Restrictions
Seasonal restrictions are the most common approach to gas-powered leaf blower regulations used by Massachusetts
communities. Newton, Brookline, Lincoln, and several other Massachusetts communities have adopted seasonal
restrictions rather than year-round prohibitions. These policies recognize that gas-powered leaf blowers are most
heavily used during the fall leaf collection season and, in some cases, during limited spring cleanup periods.
Lincoln adopted seasonal restrictions to reduce noise and air pollution, dust, and GHG emissions while protecting
public health (Town of Lincoln). Limiting gas-powered leaf blower use during periods when leaf removal is not
necessary reduces environmental impacts without preventing residents and landscaping companies from completing
essential seasonal maintenance.
Seasonal restrictions provide greater flexibility for communities with a range of property sizes and landscaping
needs. By allowing gas-powered leaf blowers only during designated cleanup periods and limiting their use during
the remainder of the year, municipalities can reduce noise and emissions while still accommodating residents,
commercial landscapers, and municipal operations. This balanced approach may be particularly appropriate for
Bedford because of its mix of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses and its variety of property sizes.
Key Finding 3: Land Use and Property Size
Among the municipalities reviewed, Concord and Acton share land-use characteristics that are more comparable to
Bedford than those of other nearby communities, such as Arlington or Lexington. Like Bedford, these communities
include larger residential lots, suburban development patterns, and a combination of residential and commercial land
uses.
Concord's bylaw recognizes that larger properties may have different maintenance needs by allowing flexibility
based on lot size (Town of Concord, Article 37, 2026). Similarly, Acton's Leaf Blower Control Bylaw (Town of
Acton, Article 32, 2026) establishes a general prohibition on standard gas-powered leaf blowers while allowing
limited exemptions for properties larger than one acre. Under Acton's regulation, wheeled four-stroke gas-powered
leaf blowers and tractor-mounted leaf removal equipment may be used on qualifying lots during designated spring
and fall cleanup periods. This approach demonstrates that municipalities can reduce noise and emissions while
recognizing that larger properties may require equipment different from what is practical on smaller residential lots.
As Bedford includes a range of property sizes and land uses similar to Concord and Acton, these communities
provide useful examples of regulatory approaches that balance environmental objectives with the practical needs of
property owners.
Key Finding 4: Enforcement
Many municipalities with gas-powered leaf blower regulations have established a designated enforcement authority
to ensure compliance with their bylaws. Although enforcement approaches differ by municipality, most assign
responsibility to an existing municipal department, such as the police, health, or public works department.
Enforcement agencies provide residents and contractors with a point of contact for reporting violations. They also
clarify departmental responsibility for responding to complaints and issuing warnings or citations. Many

municipalities issue written warnings for initial violations, followed by fines that increase with the number of
offenses.
Examples of Enforcement Approaches:
Marblehead: Violations are reported to the Police Department and Health Department (Town of Marblehead).
Brookline: Violations are handled by the Department of Public Works (Town of Brookline).
Lincoln: Violations are reported to the Police Department and Building Inspector (Town of Lincoln, 2019).
Although many municipalities have designated an enforcement authority, conversations with municipal staff
indicate that enforcement remains challenging. Brookline noted that limited staffing and reliance on complaintbased enforcement make it difficult to respond to violations in a timely manner (Town of Brookline). As a result,
most violations are addressed through education and verbal warnings, with citations issued primarily for repeat
offenders when a violation can be confirmed.

Recommendations
Adopt a Seasonal Restriction
The Town of Bedford should adopt a seasonal restriction on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers for all users,
including residents and commercial landscaping companies. Gas-powered leaf blowers should be permitted only
during designated spring and fall cleanup periods, when leaf removal is most necessary. Outside these periods, only
battery-electric leaf blowers should be permitted, with an exemption for residential properties larger than one acre.
This approach would reduce noise pollution, air pollution, and GHG emissions while still allowing flexibility during
peak landscaping seasons.
Certain municipalities allow gas-powered leaf blowers to be used during two seasonal windows. Typically, these
restrictions include a spring window from March 15 through May 31 and a separate fall window from October 15
through December 31. These windows generally encompass the periods when leaf litter is greatest and gas-powered
leaf blowers may be needed for additional power.
Commercial Recommendation
Commercial landscaping companies, industrial properties, and large corporate campuses should be required to begin
transitioning to battery-electric leaf blowers after an established implementation period. These operators use leaf
blowers more frequently and for longer periods than most residents, making their transition important to reducing
GHG emissions.
Residential Recommendation
Residents should comply with the seasonal restrictions throughout the year, except during the designated spring and
fall windows.
Exemption: Because Bedford contains properties of various sizes, some of which encompass several acres, the
Town should consider adopting a property-size exemption similar to those used by Concord and Acton. Properties
larger than one acre could be eligible to use specified gas-powered equipment during designated spring and fall
cleanup periods, including properties maintained by commercial landscaping companies. This exemption would
recognize that larger properties may require equipment with longer operating times while still encouraging a

transition to battery-electric alternatives whenever feasible. If gas-powered leaf blowers continue to be used,
Bedford should encourage the use of four-stroke (four-cycle) models instead of two-stroke models. Four-stroke
engines are generally more fuel-efficient, produce fewer emissions, and release less unburned fuel into the air,
making them a more environmentally responsible option during the transition to cleaner equipment.
Hours of Operation: To reduce neighborhood noise, Bedford should establish consistent hours during which leaf
blowers may be operated. Similar to many Massachusetts municipalities, the Town should prohibit operation during
early morning and evening hours and should consider prohibiting commercial use on Sundays and legal holidays
while allowing residents to operate leaf blowers during specified hours.
Weekday Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday and Holidays: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Enforcement: To enforce these regulations, the Town should confer with municipal departments to determine
which department will be responsible for enforcement. At the July 2026 Select Board meeting, two departments that
already address noise issues were mentioned: the Code Enforcement Department and the Health Department. Earlymorning complaints are handled by Code Enforcement, while other noise complaints are handled by the Health
Department. The two departments already work together because the Town has only one noise meter. Based on the
discussion, the Police Department would most likely not be involved in enforcement; the Code Enforcement and
Health departments appear to be the best options. Communities such as Arlington and Newton use a complaintbased approach to violations, which may provide a useful model for Bedford (Leaf Blower Information | City of
Newton, MA, 2026; Environmental | Town of Arlington, 2026). Bedford will need to define the distinction between
construction noise and landscaping noise to enforce the regulations.
Education and Outreach: Bedford should develop a comprehensive public outreach strategy to educate residents
about the proposed gas-powered leaf blower regulations. Expanded outreach could provide a broader understanding
of residents' opinions. The Bedford Citizen conducted an informal survey that helped identify the views of some
residents, but wider outreach would help the Town gather more community input, address concerns, and build public
support while reinforcing how the policy advances Bedford's sustainability, public health, and climate goals.
Bedford Citizen - Asks Readers About Leaf Blowers (The Bedford Citizen, 2026)
● Total voters: 327
○ (41%) 134 votes - No regulations at all
○ (19%) 62 votes - A total ban
○ (17%) 55 votes - A combination of education, operating-hour limits, seasonal regulations, and
commercial regulations
○ (11%) 36 votes - Regulating the hours when leaf blowers may be used
○ (5%) 17 votes - Allowing gas-powered blowers only during spring and fall cleanup periods
○ (4%) 14 votes - Regulating commercial landscapers more than residents
○ (3%) 9 votes - Educating residents and landscapers instead of regulating them

Conclusion
As more Massachusetts municipalities adopt regulations on gas-powered leaf blowers, Bedford has an opportunity to
implement a policy that reflects its community values, land-use patterns, and sustainability goals. Delaying action
will allow unnecessary noise, air pollution, and GHG emissions to continue affecting residents and municipal

operations. By adopting seasonal restrictions, establishing reasonable operating hours, and transitioning commercial,
industrial, and municipal equipment to battery-electric alternatives, Bedford can make meaningful progress toward
its climate commitments while allowing residents adequate flexibility. This policy represents an important step
toward reducing the Town's reliance on fossil fuels, protecting public health, demonstrating Bedford's continued
leadership in environmental stewardship, and achieving its Net Zero goals. As electric equipment technology
improves, the Town can revisit additional restrictions and transitions.

Proposed Outdoor Lighting General Bylaw
SECTION 1 - Purpose
The purpose of this By-law is to regulate the use of new and replacement outdoor lighting fixtures so as
to:
(1) provide adequate, well-designed lighting for the safety and security for all Bedford residents and
for the safe performance of outdoor tasks at night;
(2) control glare to ensure safe navigation for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians at night;
(3) protect residents from light trespass, which negatively affects the enjoyment of property;
(4) minimize light pollution to the greatest extent possible, especially blue light, which can cause
negative effects on human health and nocturnal organisms;
(5) preserve the night sky as a natural resource to enhance nighttime enjoyment of property within
Bedford.
(6) promote efficient lighting to conserve energy and thus reduce atmospheric carbon emissions,
and decrease lighting cost without decreasing nighttime safety, security, and productivity.

SECTION 2 - Applicability.
All new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures installed on any property within the Town after this
Bylaw becomes effective shall comply with the requirements established by this By-law. This Bylaw is
applicable to all residential, commercial, and municipal outdoor luminaires and in all zones.
Unless exempted elsewhere in this Bylaw, all new and replacement exterior luminaires with an output of
greater than 600 lumens shall be fully shielded.
Outdoor lighting shall be designed for safety and for personal security. Glare and light spillover, as
defined below, shall be controlled to protect inhabitants from the consequences of stray light shining
into inhabitant’s eyes or onto adjoining properties. Control of light pollution, as defined below, shall be
required to minimize the negative effect of misdirected upward light. All exterior lighting shall be aimed,
located, designed, fitted and maintained so that it illuminates the task intended and does not shine
directly onto neighboring properties or roadways or distribute excessive light skyward.

SECTION 3 - Definitions
BUG rating system: A lighting classification system (IES TM-15-20 standard or its successor) by the
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and DarkSky International to describe the light-pollution
contributions from outdoor luminaires, including for street and parking-lot lighting. Each letter is
attached to a number ranging from 0 (ideal) to 5 (unacceptable). B describes backlight that often
contributes to light trespass. U describes uplight, which contributes to skyglow, which limits a person’s

ability to see the stars. G describes glare, which makes it difficult for people to see and thus makes
roadways more dangerous and security lighting less effective.
Café lighting: A string of multiple lights hung between two points and used to decorate outdoor spaces
in ways and at times not associated with holidays. Also known as party lighting or festoon lighting.
Correlated color temperature (CCT): A specification of the color appearance of the light emitted by a
light source, measured in Kelvin (K). CCT values are typically provided in lighting-manufacturer data
sheets. For example, high-pressure-sodium (HPS) streetlights are approximately 2000 K and “warmwhite” lamps are typically 2700 K.
Environmentally sensitive area: Light-sensitive areas that include: any land subject to a conservation
restriction, legally recognized wetlands, agricultural land, or any land that contains threatened or
endangered-species habitats.
Foot-candle: A measurement of illuminance, which is the intensity of light incident on a surface. One (1)
foot-candle (fc) is defined as enough light to uniformly illuminate one square foot (1 ft2) with one (1)
lumen. One foot-candle corresponds to 10.764 lux (lx), which is the SI (International System of Units)
unit of illuminance.
Fully shielded: An outdoor luminaire constructed so that, in its installed position, all of the light emitted
by the luminaire is projected below the horizontal plane that passes through the lowest light emitting
part of the luminaire. See Figure 1.
Glare: Intense and harsh light emitted by a luminaire that reduces visibility and creates visual
discomfort and/or momentary visual impairment. Discomfort Glare causes a nuisance due to overly
bright light sources in the field of view. Disability Glare causes interference in the visual process and
impairs the viewer’s vision. OR - Glare shall mean the sensation produced by luminance within the visual
field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted so as to cause
annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility. The magnitude of the sensation of
glare depends upon factors such as the size, position, and luminance of the source, the number
of sources, and the luminance to which the eyes are adapted.
Holiday lighting: Decorative lighting temporarily installed on or near homes, businesses, and public
spaces to celebrate holidays and seasonal events.
Illuminance: The intensity of light incident on a surface, often measured on horizontal or vertical
surfaces in foot-candles (fc or lumens/ft2). Example: the full Moon illuminates the ground with an
illuminance of 0.01 fc.
IES: Illuminating Engineering Society, the recognized authoritative body on the science and application
of lighting, which publishes and promotes recommended practices for a variety of specific lighting
applications.
Lamp: The bulb or other light-emitting portion of a luminaire, not inclusive of any reflective or refractive
optics used to direct light.
Light pollution: An adverse and/or obtrusive effect of the use of outdoor light at night. OR Light
pollution shall mean illumination which extends beyond an object, structure or area, which the light

fixture is designed to serve, so as to produce glare, or otherwise interfere with viewing of natural vistas
such as the night sky.
Light trespass: Light emitted by a luminaire or from an adjacent reflective surface that shines beyond
the property boundary on which the luminaire is installed.
Lumen: A unit of luminous flux; the flux emitted within a unit solid angle by a point source with a
uniform luminous intensity of one candela (the SI unit of luminous intensity).
Luminaire: A complete lighting assembly, consisting of a lamp or lamps, housing, optic(s), and other
structural elements, but not including any mounting pole or surface.
Luminance: The amount of light that passes through, is emitted by, or reflected from a particular area,
and falls within a specified solid angle. The SI unit of luminance is candela per square meter (cd/m2),
also known as a nit.
Nuisance: The unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful use of outdoor lighting, which causes
inconvenience, disruption of enjoyment, or damage to others, either to individuals and/or to the general
public.
Skyglow: A measurable glow in the night sky deriving from an artificial source.
Wall sconce: A decorative luminaire affixed to a vertical exterior wall.
Walkway lighting: One or more outdoor luminaires installed adjacent to a walkway to provide
wayfinding and safe movement for pedestrians and/or personal-mobility devices.
SECTION 4 - STANDARDS FOR COMMERICAL and INDUSTRIAL Properties & Multifamily Properties
(1) Scope and Applicability. This section applies to commercial and industrial properties, the
common areas of condominium complexes and homeowner associations, and other properties
with dwellings for more than three families.
(2) Priority of Bylaw Provisions. In case of conflict between any of the provisions of this Bylaw or
any other state or federal regulation, and if such state or federal regulation allows for more
restrictive local regulation, the most restrictive shall apply.
(3) New Lighting. All outdoor luminaires installed after the effective date of this Bylaw shall comply
with the requirements established by this Bylaw.
(4) Existing Lighting. All outdoor luminaires installed prior to the effective date of this Bylaw that do
not comply with the requirements of this Bylaw are declared to be non-conforming. All nonconforming luminaires may continue to be used and maintained after the effective date of this
Bylaw but shall be brought into compliance with the requirements herein within ten (10) years
of the effective date of this Bylaw or upon the first to occur of any of the following:
A) A determination by the Inspector of Buildings that the luminaire or its installation
constitutes a hazard to public safety or otherwise constitutes a nuisance.

B) The replacement of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the existing system of
luminaires intended to illuminate a specific area.
C) Expansions exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross floor area, the number of
dwelling units, or the number of parking spaces. This requirement may be reduced by
permit issued by the Planning Board upon a simple majority finding that such reduction will
not detract from the objectives of this bylaw.
(5) Shielding.
A) Unless exempted elsewhere in this Bylaw, all single-lamp outdoor luminaires shall be fully
shielded.
B) Lighting of building façades, landscaping, monuments, plaques, flagpoles, and similar
installations are exempted from the shielding requirements of this bylaw, but shall be
focused directly at the target so that the light does not create a nuisance. It is the Town’s
preference that such lighting be turned off or dimmed between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. or within
one (1) hour of the posted closing time for that facility, whichever occurs later.
(6) Light Output.
A) The output of any outdoor luminaire installed at a height below twenty (20) feet shall not
exceed five thousand (5,000) lumens, except as permitted in Section 3.6.2.
B) An outdoor luminaire may exceed five thousand (5,000) lumens if its output does not
exceed the ground-level luminance values recommended by the Illuminating Engineering
Society (IES) for the specific application by more than fifty percent (50%).
C) An outdoor luminaire exceeding the lumen values in Sections 3.6.1 and 3.6.2 may be
installed by permit issued by the Planning Board upon a simple majority finding that
extenuating circumstances related to safety and security justify an exception.
(7) Correlated color temperature. The correlated color temperature (CCT) of the light emitted by an
outdoor luminaire shall not exceed 2700 K. An outdoor luminaire may exceed this CCT value by
permit issued by the Planning Board upon a simple majority finding that extenuating
circumstances related to safety and security justify an exception.
(8) Height.
A) Scope and Applicability. This subsection applies only to luminaires used for illuminating
outdoor areas such as parking lots, driveways, walkways, yards, or other ground surfaces,
whether mounted on freestanding poles or on buildings, but it shall not apply to building
mounted luminaires intended primarily for entrance, porch, architectural, or decorative
lighting.
B) The maximum mounting height of such luminaires shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet. A
maximum mounting height of thirty-five (35) feet may be allowed by permit issued by the
Planning Board upon a simple majority finding that the increased height will not negatively
impact abutting properties, particularly property used or zoned for residential purposes.

(9) Hours of Operation.
A) Outdoor lighting shall not be illuminated between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m with the following
exceptions:
1. If the use is being operated, such as a business open to customers, or where employees
are working or where an institution or place of public assembly is conducting an activity,
normal illumination shall be allowed during the activity and for not more than one half
hour after the activity ceases.
2. Low level lighting sufficient for the security of persons or property on the lot may be in
operation between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., provided the average illumination on the ground
or on any vertical surface is not greater than 0.5-foot candles.

SECTION 5 - Standards for Residential Properties
(1) This section applies to properties with single- and two-family residential dwellings, accessory
dwelling units (ADUs), and individually-owned dwellings that are part of a condominium
complex or homeowner association.
(2) Residential outdoor lighting, including but not limited to, security, floodlighting, walkway
illumination, driveway illumination, flagpoles, outdoor living areas, and outdoor recreational
facilties, shall not unduly inconvenience abutters by having outdoor lighting shining directly into
their windows or onto their properties.
(3) In all residential neighborhoods, all outdoor lighting, shall be continuous (not flashing), indirect,
and installed and/or shielded in a manner that shall prevent direct light from shining onto or
upon any street and/or adjacent or abutting property.
(4) Temporary holiday lighting shall be exempt from these requirements.

SECTION 6 - Nuisance.
No outdoor luminaire shall create a lighting nuisance in the form of excessive light trespass or glare, as
defined below. No new or replacement exterior fixture installed within the Town shall create a lighting
nuisance in the form of light trespass or glare.
(1) Light trespass.
A) The maximum vertical illuminance created by one or more outdoor luminaires shall not
exceed 0.1 foot-candle when measured fifteen (15) feet inside the property line of an
adjacent residential property or at the exterior wall of a dwelling on the adjacent property,
whichever is closer to the outdoor luminaire(s), at a point five (5) feet above grade.

B) The maximum vertical illuminance shall not exceed 0.05 foot-candle when measured at the
property line of an environmentally sensitive area.
C) The Inspector of Buildings may grant exceptions due to extenuating circumstances related to
safety and security.
(2) Glare. Glare is declared to be a lighting nuisance when it constitutes a hazard to public safety
along a public way or exceeds the standards listed in 6.1.A.
(3) A motion-activated luminaire that causes a nuisance but otherwise complies with this Bylaw is
permitted as long as its output remains on for no more than 10 minutes, does not flicker
intermittently, and is not triggered by right-of-way traffic in any form.
(4) The determination of light trespass and/or glare will be made by the Inspector of Buildings or
their designee after a site visit and a visual inspection.
A) Light trespass. The maximum vertical illuminance at a property line shall not exceed 0.1
foot‐candle. The determination as to compliance shall be made by the Inspector of Buildings
or their designee and vertical illuminance shall be measured at the property line measured
five (5) feet above grade with the meter aimed toward the subject property and
perpendicular to the property line. The Town Administrator in coordination with DPW, the
Police Department, and Public Health Department may grant exceptions due to extenuating
circumstances related to safety and security.
B) Glare is declared to be a lighting nuisance when it constitutes a hazard to public safety along
a public way or causes intense discomfort to occupants of adjacent properties. This
determination will be made by the Inspector of Buildings or designee through a site visit and
a visual inspection.
SECTION 7 - Prohibitions
The use of searchlights, sky beams, or any outdoor luminaire that dynamically varies its output by
intermittently fading, flashing, blinking, or rotating is prohibited, except for holiday lighting or as
required by public-safety and public works personnel in temporary situations.
SECTION 8 - Exemptions
The following are exempt from compliance with all provisions of this Bylaw, except as noted:
(1) Temporary emergency lighting needed by the Police, Fire, and Public Works departments; or
other law-enforcement and emergency services, as well as all vehicle-mounted luminaires.
(2) Lighting employed during repairs of roads, utilities, and similar infrastructure, including
unshielded lighting, provided that such lighting is deployed, positioned, and aimed such that to
the extent possible the resulting glare and light trespass do not extend beyond the work area.
(3) Any form of lighting whose use is mandated or otherwise governed by any legal jurisdiction with
broader authority than that of the Town of Bedford.

(4) Temporary lighting for events sponsored by the Town of Bedford or for which a license or other
approval has been issued, such as concerts, fairs, and festivals.
(5) Holiday lighting, walkway lighting, and café lighting. However, it is the Town’s preference that
the outdoor luminaires used for these purposes be aimed so as to minimize light trespass on
adjacent properties and be turned off between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
(6) Luminaires used to illuminate athletic fields or recreational facilities shall, to the greatest extent
possible, satisfy the on-field illuminance values in the latest version of ANSI/IES RP-6,
Recommended Practice: Lighting Sports and Recreational Areas. Further, such luminaires must
be aimed so as to minimize light trespass on adjacent properties and must be turned off within
one (1) hour after the end of play or by 10 p.m., whichever occurs later.

SECTION 9 - Enforcement
(1) The requirements of this bylaw shall be enforced by the Inspector of Buildings or by another
person appointed or engaged by the Town for this purpose.
(2) In the event an enforcement action is initiated, the owner of any lot, dwelling, commercial, or
industrial property on which an outdoor luminaire subject to this Bylaw is located or proposed
to be located shall have the burden of demonstrating that the existing or proposed outdoor
luminaire complies with the requirements of this Bylaw.
(3) The applicant for any permit or exception under this Bylaw shall submit evidence that the
proposed work will comply with this Bylaw. Any costs associated with such proof of compliance
will be paid by the applicant. The submission shall contain, but shall not necessarily be limited
to, the following:
A) Plans indicating the location on the premises of each outdoor luminaire, both existing and
proposed.
B) Description of all luminaires, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors, both existing and
proposed. The description may include, but is not limited to, specification data and
illustrations by manufacturers (including sections where required).
C) Photometric data, such as that supplied by manufacturers, photometric site drawings,
and/or on-site calibrated light meter light level readings.
(4) Violations and Penalties. The Inspector of Buildings may issue orders to enforce the terms of
this bylaw, and may seek injunctive relief and utilize any other appropriate remedy to compel
compliance, including the issuance of fines and penalties and the use of non-criminal disposition
as provided in M.G.L. c. 40D, § 21D.

Working Draft of Sign Bylaw
ARTICLE 39. SIGN BYLAW
39.1

PURPOSE
The purpose of the regulations set forth in this bylaw shall be the following:
A.
To promote the public health, safety and general welfare.
B.
To encourage signs which are aesthetically pleasing, which are harmonious with
both the buildings and sites where they are displayed and their larger environs,
and which are in keeping with the general atmosphere of the town.
C.
To protect public and private investments in buildings and open spaces.

39.2 DEFINITIONS
A.

Sign. Any permanent lettering, word, symbol, drawing, picture, design, device, emblem,
trademark, banner, pennant, insignia, article, or object that advertises, calls attention, or
indicates any premises, person or activity, whatever the nature of the material and manner
of composition or construction, when the same is placed out of doors or affixed on or in
any part of a building for the purpose of being visible from the exterior of the building
from an adjacent public way.
1.
Awning Sign. A sign painted on or attached to the cloth, canvas or metal cover of
a movable or stationary frame of the fixed, hinged, roll or folding type of awning.
2.
Banner. A sign painted on or attached to cloth, canvas or plastic. Banners shall be
no wider than two (2) feet or longer than twenty-four (24) feet.
3.
Construction Sign. A temporary unlighted sign denoting the project name,
architect, engineer, owner and/or contractor performing construction, repair or
renovation. The marketing company may also be listed.
4.
Freestanding Sign. A self-supporting sign not attached to any building, wall or
fence, but in a fixed location.
5.
Illuminated Sign. Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, faces,
backgrounds, designs or outlines illuminated by discharge sources not directly
visible from normal viewing angles.
6.
Movable Chassis Sign. A sign mounted on a trailer or chassis and wheels which is
capable of being readily moved or relocated.
7.
Movable Freestanding Sign. A sign which is capable of being moved or relocated.
8.
Multiple Sign. A group of signs clustered together in a single structure or
composite unit. Multiple signs are used to identify several occupants of the same
building or development complex.
9.
Political Sign. A sign used in conjunction with a Town, County, State or National
election or political message. Restrictions noted in this Bylaw do not apply to
political signs as long as the political sign does not create a public nuisance.
10.
Projecting Sign. A sign which is affixed to a building or other structure and which
extends more than six (6) inches beyond the surface to which it is affixed.
11.
Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign advertising the premises or any part thereof
for sale, lease or rent.

12.

13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
B.

Reverse Channel Signs. Reverse Channel Signs (also known as halo-lit or Back-lit
signs): Signs fabricated with dimensional characters with internal luminaries and
with opaque face and side walls that are mounted away from the wall such that
the light is directed out the back of the character, creating a halo of light behind
the characters. The light may only shine on the building’s finished wall material
to which the characters are mounted. Light shining onto other parts of the sign or
through the face/sides of the characters is prohibited.
Roof Sign. A sign which is located above or projects above the lowest point of the
eaves or the top of the parapet wall of any building, or which is painted on or
fastened to a roof.
Temporary Sign. Any sign, including its support structure, intended to be
displayed for not more than thirty (30) days in any calendar year.
Wall Sign. Any sign which is incorporated into, or affixed parallel to the wall of a
building and which extends not more than six (6) inches from the surface of that
building.
Window Sign. A sign placed behind any transparent wall or window such that it is
intended to be visible from outside the window.
Traffic Control Sign. Any sign used on private property to regulate, warn, or
guide traffic, placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, driveway, parking lot,
pedestrian facility or shared-use path.
Non-Commercial Sign. A temporary sign used in conjunction with a not-for-profit
event, charitable fundraiser, or as an expression of free speech.

Area of a Sign.
1.

2.

3.

The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying symbols
or designs. It shall also include the background on which they are displayed,
whether open or enclosed, any frame around the sign and any "cutouts" or
extensions. The area of a sign shall include the total area of the structure including
any supporting structure or bracing, framing and all surfaces surrounding the
physical symbols described in Article 39.2 Definitions, Paragraph A.
The area of a sign consisting of individual letters or symbols attached to or
painted on a surface, building, wall or window shall be considered to be that of
the smallest rectangle comprised of horizontals and verticals which encompasses
all letters and symbols.
Only one face of a two-sided identical sign shall be counted in computing the area
of a sign.

C.

Bedford Historic District. The district established in the Town of Bedford under the
provisions of Chapter 118 of the Acts of 1964 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, as may be amended from time to time.

D.

Board of Appeals. The Board established or operating in the Town of Bedford under the
Zoning Enabling Act (Chapter 40A, Massachusetts General Laws, or any amendment or
addition thereto) and the Bedford Zoning Bylaw. The Board of Appeals is the granting

authority for all Special Permits sought under this bylaw (except for Permits requested
under Article 39.6, Section G).
E.

Business Zone, Commercial Zone, Industrial Zone, and Residential Zone. As defined
in the Zoning Bylaw in the Town of Bedford.

F.

Erected. As used in this bylaw, the word erected shall include the words attached, built,
constructed, painted, reconstructed, altered, enlarged or moved.

G.

Flag. A piece of cloth, often attached to a staff or flown from a flagpole, with definite
colors, patterns, or symbolic devices used as a national, state, municipal or institutional
symbol, or to indicate membership in an organization.

H.

Pennant. A piece of cloth, often attached to a staff or flown from a flagpole, with
definite colors, patterns or pictures but no lettering or numbers, used to celebrate the
season or to adorn and enhance a building.

I.

Projection. The distance by which a sign extends over public property or beyond the
building line.

J.

Sign Structure. The supports, uprights, braces and framework of a sign.

39.3

ADMINISTRATION AND MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 1. Permits Required
A.

No sign shall hereafter be erected, re-erected, constructed or altered, except as provided
by this bylaw, and then only after a permit has been issued by the Building Inspector. The
Building Inspector shall issue a building permit if the application conforms to the State
Building code and this Bylaw.

B.

Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the
Building Inspector. Such application shall contain the location by street and number of
the proposed sign, as well as the name and address of the property owner, business owner
(if applicable) and the sign contractor or erector. The Building Inspector may require the
filing of plans or other pertinent information such as the proposed location of the sign on
the lot, the design, and the method of construction, installation or support.

C.

A sign permit fee shall be paid to the Town of Bedford and collected by the Building
Inspector for each permit in accordance with a schedule established by the Bedford
Selectmen.

D.

All signs erected under this bylaw shall be erected in substantial conformance to the
location and design described in the permit.

E.

Unless a structural change is made, the repainting, cleaning, repair or maintenance of a
sign which conforms to this bylaw shall not be considered an erection or alteration which
requires a permit.

SECTION 2. Appeal
A person aggrieved by the refusal of the Building Inspector to issue a permit for the erection of a
sign or by any order of the Building Inspector under this bylaw may appeal to the Board of
Appeals. The provisions of the Zoning Bylaw as to the time for making such appeal and as to the
notice of hearing thereon to be held of the Board of Appeals shall apply to appeals under this
bylaw.
SECTION 3. Enforcement
A.

The Building Inspector is hereby designated and authorized as the officer charged with
the enforcement of this bylaw. The provisions of the Zoning Bylaw in reference to the
enforcement of the Zoning Bylaw shall also apply to the enforcement of this bylaw.

B.

Penalty for Violation. Whoever violates any provision of this bylaw shall be punished by
a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each offense.

C.

Noncriminal Disposition. In addition to the procedure for enforcement as described
above, the provisions of the bylaw may also be enforced by noncriminal disposition, as
provided in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 21D. The penalty for such
violation shall be $25.00 for the first offense, $50.00 for the second offense, and $100.00
for the third and each subsequent offense.

D.

The Building Inspector shall require the proper construction and maintenance of all signs
and shall inspect each sign within thirty (30) days after it is erected. The Building
Inspector may order the removal of any sign that is not constructed or maintained in
accordance with the provisions of this bylaw.

E.

Nonconforming Signs. Signs and sign structures which were erected before the adoption
of these requirements shall not be altered, rebuilt nor relocated without being brought into
conformance with this bylaw.

F.

In addition to otherwise complying with this bylaw, no sign shall be permitted within the
Bedford Historic District except as the Historic District Commission may allow.

SECTION 4. Installation
A.

No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape,
window, door, or other opening, or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof
to any other part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire
escape, or placed so as to interfere with an opening which is required for legal
ventilation.

B.

No exposed non-insulated parts of an electrical sign shall be closer than nine (9) feet to
the ground immediately below.

C.

No sign shall be erected that shall in any way create a traffic hazard, nor shall it in any
way obscure or confuse traffic control.

D.

No portion of a sign, banner or flag shall project beyond the property line. Supports for a
sign, banner or flag shall be located only on private property.

E.

Letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form maintained in
conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign shall be considered part of
the sign and shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.

F.

No sign shall be painted on the exterior surface of any wall, including windows and
doors.
(Need to adjust above to accommodate public art such as murals?)
G.

Signs shall be designed, constructed and erected in accordance with the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts State Building Code and the amendments to said code which may be
prorated from time to time.

H.

For a freestanding sign, the Bedford Selectmen shall provide an assessment of the safety
hazard created by the sign to pedestrian, bicycle, skate and motor vehicle traffic.

SECTION 5. Maintenance
A.

All signs together with their supports, braces, guys, and anchors shall be kept in good
repair and in a proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept
neatly painted at all times.

B.

Every freestanding sign and the immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained in
good repair by the owner of such signs in a clean and hazard-free condition and kept free
and clear of all noxious substances, rubbish and weeds.

C.

Signs shall not be illuminated or continue to display a business’ name after said business
vacates the premises. It shall be the Building Owner’s responsibility to turn off the
illumination within ten (10) days and either remove the sign in its entirety, or, remove the
business’ name from the sign within 28 days after the business vacates the premises. All
illumination associated with the removed signage shall be turned off, except for the
following conditions:
1)
Where the illumination is for a freestanding sign identifying more than one
building tenant, the Owner shall remove the former business’ name, only;
2)
Where the illumination is part of a lighting system designed to concurrently
illuminate additional signs on the premises, the Owner shall remove the former
business’ name, only.

The Building Owner may erect a temporary sign in place of the vacated business’ sign,
advertising “Space for Lease”.
SECTION 6. Severability
The invalidity of any section or provision of this bylaw shall not invalidate any other section or
provision thereof.
39.4 GENERAL REGULATIONS
SECTION 1. Permitted and Prohibited Signs
A.

Permitted Signs.
1.
Only signs which refer to a permitted use or an approved conditional use, as set
forth in Article 39.4, Sections 1-5 of the Town of Bedford Sign Bylaw, are
permitted and then only provided such signs conform to the provisions of this
bylaw.
2.
Signs indicating the current time and/or temperature are permitted, providing they
meet all other provisions of this bylaw.
3.
Temporary non-commercial freestanding sign, or temporary non-commercial
wall-mounted sign, 6 square feet, where permitted in this Bylaw, providing they
meet all other provisions noted in the Bylaw.
4.
Traffic control signs on private property, as authorized by an approved site plan,
shall be exempt from the provisions on this Bylaw.

B.

Prohibited Signs.
1.
All billboards are prohibited.
2.
Except for Yard Sale or Garage Sale Signs permitted under Article 39.4, Section
2, D. below, signs on utility poles, trees, fences and off-premises signs are
prohibited.
3.
Flashing and/or revolving signs, signs containing movable parts, signs containing
reflective elements, ribbons, streamers, spinners, searchlights, animated signs or
signs which make noise are prohibited.
4.
Luminescent, phosphorescent, "Day-Glo" or equivalent paints, dyes or other
materials may not be used on any sign.
5.
Strings of light may not be used as signs, or parts thereof. Traditional seasonal
festive lights which are not part of a sign are not prohibited.
6.
Except in the Limited Business District, North Road Overlay District Great Road
Districts, Depot Area Mixed-Use Overlay District, and in Industrial Mixed Use
projects, projecting signs are prohibited.
7.
Roof signs are prohibited.
8.
Marquee signs are prohibited.
9.
All movable chassis-mounted signs are prohibited. Exemption for town needed?
10.
Any sign not specifically permitted in this bylaw is prohibited.
11.
All internally illuminated Freestanding Signs are prohibited, except where
otherwise permitted by this bylaw.

12.
13.

All internally illuminated Wall Signs are prohibited, except where otherwise
permitted by this Bylaw.
LED luminaires used as the primary means for displaying/conveying the sign
message are prohibited.

SECTION 2. Residential Zone
A.

Wall Signs. Any wall sign is prohibited except:
1.
A Real Estate sign not exceeding six (6) square feet.
2.
A sign six (6) square feet or less identifying a use allowed by Special Permit. The
top of the sign shall not be located above the first floor windows.
More than one permanent wall sign shall require approval of a Special Permit by the
Board of Appeals.

B.

Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs and movable freestanding signs are prohibited
except:
1.
A Real Estate sign not exceeding six (6) square feet. Real estate sign height shall
not exceed five (5) feet above finished grade.
2.
One sign not exceeding six (6) square feet advertising a use allowed by Special
Permit, if there is not such a wall sign on the premises. Sign height shall not
exceed five (5) feet above finished grade.
3.
Not-for-profit organizations formally recognized by the Secretary of State of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts may display one movable freestanding sign not
to exceed six (6) square feet. Sign height shall not exceed five (5) feet above
finished grade.
4.
Non-commercial temporary sign not exceeding six (6) square feet.
5.

C.

For multifamily housing, one freestanding monument sign shall be allowed, not to
exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face, for each primary driveway
entrance, but not more than two such signs per housing development, subject to
approval by the Planning Board if the project is developed pursuant to Site Plan or
Special Permit options of the Zoning Bylaw, or by the Zoning Board of Appeals if
the project is developed by Comprehensive Permit. Such sign(s) shall not exceed
six (6) feet in height and shall be placed in a manner that does not impede sight
distance for vehicles exiting the premises. Any portion of a sign proposed in a
road right of way, or on land owned by or intended to be granted to the Town of
Bedford, shall be subject to a license agreement with the Select Board.

Construction Signs. One (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet and no closer than ten
(10) feet from any property line may be permitted for a construction project on the
premises. Such sign(s) shall be removed no later than fourteen (14) days after the
issuance of an occupancy permit, or upon completion of work by the contractor whose
sign is being displayed. In the event of multiple units or subdivision construction, one (1)
sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet and no closer than ten (10) feet from any

property line may be permitted for the premises and the removal must follow within
fourteen (14) days of the issuance after the last occupancy permit or completion of work
by contractor whose sign is being displayed. Construction sign height shall be a
maximum of five (5) feet above finished grade.
D.

Yard Sale or Garage Sale Signs. Four (4) signs not to exceed three (3) square feet each
may be displayed for not more than two (2) consecutive days, to be removed within
twelve (12) hours after the sale.

E.

Pennants. Two pennants may be displayed for each residential building. Each such
pennant shall not be larger than twelve (12) square feet in area or four (4) feet in length.

F.

Flags. One each flag of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and the Town of Bedford may be displayed on each residential lot without
Special Permit. Each such flag shall not be larger than twenty-four (24) square feet in
area or six (6) feet in length. Additional flags may be flown only upon grant of a Special
Permit.

G.

Traffic Control Signs. Subject to the approval of the Building Inspector, traffic control
signs may be erected; but in no case shall these signs be larger than twelve (12) square
feet. The height of such signs shall be limited to eight (8) feet.

SECTION 3. Business Zones
A.

Wall Signs. No sign shall be affixed to a building except as hereinafter provided:
1.
One (1) sign not to exceed an area equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the first
floor front wall area of a business or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is smaller,
may be attached to any wall of a building. An increase in area up to twenty
percent (20%) of the first floor front wall area and more than fifty (50) square feet
may be allowed by Special Permit from the Board of Appeals. Division of the
permissible wall sign area into two or more wall signs may be allowed by Special
Permit if, in the opinion of the Board of Appeals, such division significantly
enhances the appearance of the resulting signage in concert with the architecture
of the specific building. No attached sign shall extend above the wall to which it
is attached. No sign shall be attached to a roof - real or simulated.
2.
Individual letter signs made up of self-contained letters that are mounted on the
face of a building are permitted as wall signs. The letters shall not exceed four (4)
feet in height and shall not extend above the top of any parapet nor above the roof
edge of any wall nor be permitted on a marquee. Individual letter signs may only
be mounted on the face of a building or parapet.
3.
For businesses which front on two streets, allowable sign area may be divided
between two (2) signs, each sign to be attached to a different wall of the building.
The total allowable sign area shall not exceed an area equivalent to fifteen percent
(15%) of the first floor front wall area of said business, or sixty (60) square feet,
whichever is smaller. Neither sign shall exceed the size which would be permitted
under Section 3.A.1. above. An increase in area of up to twenty-five percent

4.
5.
6.

7.

(25%) of the first floor front area and more than sixty (60) square feet may be
allowed by Special Permit from the Board of Appeals.
In the case of multi-story buildings with multiple occupants, each upper floor
occupant is allowed one (1) sign not to exceed one (1) square foot in size affixed
to a directory at the entrance to the upper floors.
When a business has more than one entrance intended for use by customers, the
secondary public entrance may be identified by a wall sign not to exceed eight (8)
square feet.
Signs may be used to identify the location of the door(s) through which deliveries
of goods may be received. Such sign(s) may contain no more than the name of the
business and the hours of delivery, and shall not exceed three (3) square feet in
area. One such sign is permitted per delivery entrance door.
Wall Sign Restrictions:
a.
No signs shall be mounted above the first floor of a building.
b.
Signs shall not obscure important architectural details or features,
including, but not limited to windows, transom panels, sills, moldings and
cornices.
c.
Signs on adjacent storefronts within the same building shall be
coordinated in height and proportion.
d.
Wall signs identifying commercial establishments shall generally be
placed within an information band immediately above the storefront. The
information band should be confined to the vertical distance separating
windows on the ground and the second floors, or should be no more than
two (2) feet in height, whichever is less.

B.

Freestanding Signs. One freestanding sign is permitted per lot. A lot is defined by a
single Town of Bedford real property tax bill. All Freestanding Signs must conform to
the following criteria:
• The sign structure must not extend more than six (6) feet above the mean finished
grade and must be not more than five (5) feet wide and not more than 30 square
feet in area. If the sign serves more than two businesses on the lot, the structure
may extend to no more than (7) seven feet above the mean finished grade and
may not be more than (8) eight feet wide and not more than 56 square feet.
• The structure includes all supports, framing and surface not just the lettering and
symbols.
• The sign structure and the display area is to be comprised of only one flat face, or
two parallel flat faces and limited to a thickness of no more than 1 and 1/2 feet
from face to face.
• The furthest forward element of any freestanding sign must be set back at least
five (5) feet from the front property line.
(why is this section bulleted rather than numbered?)

C.

Awning Signs. Awnings, when extended, must be at least seven (7) feet above the
traveled surface. Letters, numbers and/or logos must be paint-on or appliqué and may not
be larger than one (1) foot high. The sign length may not be more than three-quarters
(3/4) of the length of the edge of the awning on which characters are displayed, and may

advertise only the business. Awning signs may be divided among more than one awning
by Special Permit to divide the permissible wall sign. The area of the awning sign(s) shall
be included in the overall wall sign area quantification.
D.

Window Signs. Without obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector, unlighted
window signs may be placed in a window of a building not to exceed more than twentyfive percent (25%) of the area of the window in which the sign is displayed.
(establish an exemption for public art)
E.

Directional Signs. No more than two (2) directional signs per driveway shall be
permitted, said signs to contain no advertising. These signs shall not exceed an area of
five (5) square feet each.

F.

Construction Signs. One (1) sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet and no closer
than ten (10) feet from any property line may be permitted for the premises. Such sign(s)
shall be removed no later than fourteen (14) days after the issuance of an occupancy
permit, or upon completion of work by the contractor whose sign is being displayed. In
the event of multiple units, the removal must follow within fourteen (14) days of the
issuance after the last occupancy permit or completion of work by contractor whose sign
is being displayed. Construction sign height shall be a maximum of five (5) feet above
finished grade.

G.

Real Estate Signs. One (1) sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet and no closer
than five (5) feet from any property line may be permitted. Real estate sign height shall
be a maximum of six (6) feet above finished grade.

H.

Flags. Each business may display one each flag of the United States of America, the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Bedford without Special Permit.
Each such flag shall not be larger than twenty-four (24) square feet in area or six (6) feet
in length. Additional flags may be flown upon grant of a Special Permit. Lettering on any
flag for which a Special Permit may be granted shall be related to the nature of the
institution, fraternal, organization, corporation or business which is displaying the flag.

I.

Grand Opening Banners. Flags, banners or bunting not exceeding twenty percent (20%)
of the first floor front wall area of a business may be displayed by a business which has
or is about to open for the first time in the Town. The banner may be displayed for a
period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

J.

Gasoline Stations and Garages.
1.
Gasoline service stations and garages may, if they elect to do so, divide the one
permitted exterior sign affixed to the front of the building into separate signs
affixed to and parallel to such wall and indicating the separate operations of
departments of the business provided, however, that the total area of the separate
signs shall not exceed the maximum area permitted under this bylaw.
2.
One sign shall be permitted with changeable characters or numbers solely to
display the current price of fuel. This sign shall not exceed five (5) square feet. It

3.

may be located on the building, as a freestanding sign, or on the pump island
itself. Any illumination must be external, white in color and satisfy Article 39.5.
This sign’s area (square footage) shall be in addition to what they are otherwise
allowed.
The standard type of gasoline pump with markings that identify the name or type
of gasoline and with the changeable placards to display the current price of fuel
that are one (1) square foot or less shall not be considered in violation of this
bylaw.

K.

Hotels and Motels. Hotels and motels with appropriate current valid permits and licenses
may display a sign not exceeding two (2) square feet by which the availability or nonavailability of a vacancy may be displayed. This sign’s area (square footage) shall be in
addition to what they are otherwise allowed.

L.

Barber Poles. Upon approval of a Special Permit by the Board of Appeals a traditional
striped barber pole may be installed directly in front of a licensed barber shop. Said
barber pole may be free standing or mounted on a wall, but in no event shall it exceed
nine (9) inches in diameter at its widest point or project more than twelve (12) inches
beyond the face of the building. Barber poles may revolve, and be internally illuminated.

M.

Projecting Signs - In the Limited Business District, North Road Overlay District Great
Road Districts, Depot Area Mixed-Use Overlay District, and in Industrial Mixed Use
projects only, one projecting sign is permitted per business. The sign shall not extend
beyond a vertical plane that is two (2) feet inside the curb line nor more than forty eight
(48) inches from a building wall, exclusive of any supporting structure from the building.
A projecting sign shall not hang lower than eight (8) feet over a sidewalk or other grade
as measured to the lowest element of the projecting sign. Projecting signs shall not rise
more than twenty (20) feet from the ground level to the top of the sign. Allowable area of
a projecting sign shall not be more than ten (10) square feet in area nor extend above the
eave of a building. When multiple business signs are projected from the wall of a multitenanted building, all signs shall be installed at a similar height, with the top, bottom or
center of sign aligned for each tenanted floor.
In any instance where a projecting sign is proposed, the area of the projecting sign shall
be deducted from the maximum allowable area of any proposed wall sign(s). Projecting
signs shall not be illuminated.

N.

Traffic Control Signs. Subject to the approval of the Building Inspector, traffic control
signs may be erected; but in no case shall these signs be larger than twelve (12) square
feet. The height of such signs shall be limited to eight (8) feet.

O.

Non-commercial temporary signs not exceeding six (6) square feet.

P.

Reverse Channel Signs: Must comply with the area requirements of Wall Signs. The
characters shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and shall not extend above the top of

any parapet nor above the roof edge of any wall nor be permitted on a marquee. Reverse
channel signs may only be mounted on the face of a building or parapet.
Q.

Movable Freestanding Signs. Movable freestanding signs require a Special Permit from
the Board of Appeals and must conform to the following criteria:
1.
One sign is permitted per business.
(2)? The sign may only be displayed at the property where the business is located
when the business opens for the day and must be removed no later than 8:00 p.m.
that same evening. (Scrivener’s error?)
3.
The sign shall not be erected on public property (i.e., the sidewalk or the grass
strip between the sidewalk and the street).
4.
The sign shall be designed and/or temporarily placed/braced to resist being
overturned or blown away in high winds.
5.
The sign shall not obstruct or impede pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular traffic.
6.
The sign shall not visibly obstruct one’s view of oncoming traffic.
7.
Size: The sign shall be a maximum of nine (9) square feet in area. The sign’s
dimensions shall measure a maximum of 40-inches high by a maximum of 30inches wide. The top of the sign, when erected, shall not be more than 48-inches
above finished grade.
8.
Special Permit applications for Movable Freestanding Signs shall include a
dimensioned drawing or rendering of the proposed sign, and a site plan indicating
the potential locations on the site where the sign will be displayed.
9.
All movable freestanding sign Special Permits shall include the following two (2)
Conditions of Approval: a) “In the event that the Sign Bylaw requirements for
movable freestanding signs become more restrictive in the future, this movable
freestanding sign shall be brought into compliance with the most recent edition of
the Bylaw immediately upon its enactment;” and b) “The Special Permit shall run
with the particular business, not the property where the business is located.”
10.
Illuminating movable freestanding signs is prohibited.
11.
Wire frame signs that are staked into the ground are prohibited.

SECTION 4. Commercial Zones
All signs in Commercial Zones shall conform to the regulations set forth above for Business
Zones except for Awning Signs (which are not permitted) and Flags. Flags in a Commercial
Zone shall not exceed forty (40) square feet in area or eight (8) feet in length.
SECTION 5. Industrial Zones
A.

Wall signs. No sign shall be affixed to a building except as hereinafter provided:
1.
One (1) sign not to exceed an area equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the first
floor front wall area of a business or fifty (50) square feet, whichever is less, may
be attached to any wall of a building. An increase in area up to twenty percent
(20%) of the first floor front wall area and more than fifty (50) square feet may be
allowed by Special permit from the Board of Appeals. Division of the permissible
wall sign area into two or more wall signs may be allowed by Special Permit if, in
the opinion of the Board of Appeals, such division significantly enhances the

appearance of the resulting signage in concert with the architecture of the specific
building. No attached sign shall extend above the wall to which it is attached. No
sign shall be attached to a roof – real or simulated.
2.

3.

4.
5.
6.

7.

Individual letter signs made up of self-contained letters that are mounted on the
face of a building are permitted as wall signs. The letters shall not exceed four (4)
feet in height and shall not extend above the top of any parapet nor above the roof
edge of any wall nor be permitted on a marquee. Individual letter signs may only
be mounted on the face of a building or parapet.
For businesses which front on two streets, allowable sign area may be divided
between two (2) signs, each sign to be attached to a different wall of the building.
The total allowable sign area shall not exceed an area equivalent to twenty percent
(20%) of the first floor front wall area of said business, or sixty (60) square feet,
whichever is smaller. An increase in area of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of
the first floor area and more than sixty (60) square feet may be allowed by Special
Permit from the Board of Appeals. Neither sign shall exceed the size which would
be permitted under Section 5.A.1 above.
In the case of multi-story buildings with multiple occupants, each upper floor
occupant is allowed one (1) sign not to exceed one (1) square foot in size affixed
to a directory at the entrance to the upper floors.
When a business has more than one entrance intended for use by customers, the
secondary public entrance may be identified by a wall sign not to exceed eight (8)
square feet.
Signs may be used to identify the location of the door(s) through which deliveries
of goods may be received. Such sign(s) may contain no more than the name of the
business and the hours of delivery, and shall not exceed three (3) square feet in
area. One such sign is permitted per delivery entrance door.
Wall Sign Restrictions:
a.
With a Special Permit from the Board of Appeals, a wall sign otherwise in
conformance with the requirements of the Bylaw and in harmony with the
specific building and its surroundings may be located above the first floor
of a building.
b.
Signs shall not obscure important architectural details or features,
including, but not limited to windows, transom panels, sills, moldings and
cornices.
c.
Signs on adjacent storefronts within the same building shall be
coordinated in height and proportion.
d.
Wall signs identifying commercial establishments shall generally be
placed within an information band immediately above the storefront. The
information band should be confined to the vertical distance separating
windows on the ground and the second floors, or should be no more than
two (2) feet in height, whichever is less.

B.

Freestanding Signs. One freestanding sign is permitted per lot. In the case of a lot with
multiple entrances where the single permitted freestanding sign or other signage on the
property does not effectively identify the business on the premises, additional
freestanding signs may be permitted by Special Permit issued by the Board of Appeals. A
lot is defined by a single Town of Bedford real property tax bill. All Freestanding Signs
must conform to the following criteria:
1.
The sign structure must not extend more than fifteen (15) feet above the mean
finished grade.
2.
The structure includes all supports, framing and surface not just the lettering and
symbols.
3.
The sign structure and the display area is to be comprised of only one flat face or
two parallel flat faces and limited to a thickness of no more than 1 and ½ feet
from face to face.
4.
The area of the sign must not be more than 100 square feet.
5.
The furthest forward element of any freestanding sign must be set back at least ten
(10) feet from the front property line.
6.
A freestanding sign may be permitted for the purposes of a business directory
provided that no more than six (6) square feet be permitted for each business.
Supplemental freestanding signs may be permitted for the purposes of identifying
entrances within the lot served by the directory. These signs shall be restricted to
identifying the owner and the use of the driveway and shall not exceed six (6)
square feet in area of five (5) feet in height.

C.

Awning Signs. Awnings, when extended, must be at least seven (7) feet above the
traveled surface. Letters, numbers and/or logos must be paint-on or applique and may not
be larger than one (1) foot high. The sign length may not be more than three-quarters
(3/4) of the length of the edge of the awning on which characters are displayed, and may
advertise only the business. Awning signs may be divided among more than one awning
by Special Permit to divide permissible wall sign. The area of the awning sign(s) shall be
included in the overall wall sign area quantification.

D.

Window Signs. Without obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector, unlighted
window signs may be placed in a window of a building not to exceed more than twentyfive percent (25%) of the window area of the window in which the sign is displayed.

E.

Directional Signs. No more than two (2) directional signs per driveway shall be
permitted, said signs to contain no advertising. These signs shall not exceed an area of six
(6) square feet each.

F.

Construction Sign. One (1) sign not exceeding forty-eight (48) square feet and no closer
than ten (10) feet from any property line may be permitted for the premises. Such sign(s)
shall be removed no later than fourteen (14) days after the issuance of an occupancy
permit, or upon completion of work by the contractor whose sign is being displayed. In
the event of multiple units, the removal must follow within fourteen (14) days of the
issuance after the last occupancy permit or completion of work by contractor whose sign

is being displayed. Construction sign height shall be a maximum of six (6) feet above
finished grade.
G.

Real Estate Signs. One (1) sign not exceeding forty-eight (48) square feet and no closer
than ten (10) feet from any property line may be permitted. Real estate sign height shall
be a maximum of six (6) feet above finished grade.

H.

Flags. Each business may display one flag each of the United States of America, the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Bedford without Special Permit.
Each such flag shall not be larger than forty (40) square feet in area or eight (8) feet in
length. Additional flags may be flown upon grant of a special permit. Lettering on any
flag for which a special Permit may be granted shall be related to the nature of the
institution, fraternal, organization, corporation or business which is displaying the flag.

I.

Grand Opening Banners. Flags, banners or bunting not exceeding twenty percent (20%)
of the first floor front wall area of a business may be displayed by a business which has
or is about to open for the first time in the town. The banner may be displayed for a
period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

J.

Hotels and Motels. Hotels and motels with appropriate current valid permits and licenses
may display a sign not exceeding two (2) square feet by which the availability or nonavailability of a vacancy may be displayed.

K.

Projecting Signs. In an industrial mixed use project, one (1) projecting sign is permitted
per business. The sign shall not extend beyond a vertical plane that is two (2) feet inside
the curb line nor more than forty-eight (48) inches from a building wall, exclusive of any
supporting structure from the building. A projecting sign shall not hang lower than eight
(8) feet over a sidewalk or other grade as measured to the lowest element of the
projecting sign. Projecting signs shall not rise more than twenty (2) feet from the ground
level to the top of the sign. Allowable area of a projecting sign shall not be more than ten
(10) square feet in area nor extended above the eave of a building. When multiple
business signs are projected from the wall of a multi-tenanted building, all signs shall be
installed at a similar height, with the top, bottom or center of sign aligned for each
tenanted floor.
In any instance where a projecting sign is proposed, the area of the projecting sign shall
be deducted from the maximum allowable area of any proposed wall sign(s). Projecting
signs shall not be illuminated.

L.

Traffic Control Signs. Subject to the approval of the Building Inspector, traffic control
signs may be erected; but in no case shall these signs be larger than twelve (12) square
feet. The height of such signs shall be limited to eight (8) feet.

M.

Temporary signs are prohibited except for Real Estate signs and Construction signs.

N.

Non-commercial temporary signs not exceeding six (6) square feet.

O.

Reverse Channel Signs: Must comply with the area requirements of Wall Signs. The
characters shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and shall not extend above the top of
any parapet nor above the roof edge of any wall nor be permitted on a marquee. Reverse
channel signs may only be mounted on the face of a building or parapet.

P.

Movable Freestanding Signs. Movable freestanding signs require a Special Permit from
the Board of Appeals and must conform to the following criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.

10.
11.

One sign is permitted per business.
The sign may only be displayed at the property where the business is located
when the business opens for the day and must be removed no later than 8:00 p.m.
that same evening.
The sign shall not be erected on public property (i.e., the sidewalk or the grass
strip between the sidewalk and the street).
The sign shall be designed and/or temporarily placed/braced to resist being
overturned or blown away in high winds.
The sign shall not obstruct or impede pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular traffic.
The sign shall not visibly obstruct one’s view of oncoming traffic.
Size: The sign shall be a maximum of nine (9) square feet in area. The sign’s
dimensions shall measure a maximum of 40-inches high by a maximum of 30inches wide. The top of the sign, when erected, shall not be more than 48-inches
above finished grade.
Special Permit applications for Movable Freestanding Signs shall include a
dimensioned drawing or rendering of the proposed sign, and a site plan indicating
the potential locations on the site where the sign will be displayed.
All movable freestanding sign Special Permits shall include the following two (2)
Conditions of Approval: a) “In the event that the Sign Bylaw requirements for
movable freestanding signs become more restrictive in the future, this movable
freestanding sign shall be brought into compliance with the most recent edition of
the Bylaw immediately upon its enactment;” and b) “The Special Permit shall run
with the particular business, not the property where the business is located.”
Illuminating movable freestanding signs is prohibited.
Wire frame signs that are staked into the ground are prohibited.

39.5 ILLUMINATION
SECTION 1 – Illumination
A.

All illuminated signs require a Special Permit. The Board of Appeals may authorize the
illumination of a sign if said sign conforms to such limitations of size, color and
suitability as the Board of Appeals deems proper, and if the sign does not violate this or
any other section of this bylaw. This requirement applies not only to external signs but
also to interior signs that are so designed or placed as to shine through windows or doors
of any building.

B.

The luminance of any sign shall not exceed 24 candela per square foot.

C.

Internally-illuminated signs are permitted in Industrial Zones only. The luminance of any
internally-illuminated wall or freestanding sign shall not exceed 16 candela per square
foot.
All Special permits for internally-illuminated signs shall include the following Condition
of Approval: “In the event that the Sign bylaw requirements for internally-illuminated
signs become more restrictive in the future, this internally-illuminated sign shall be
brought into compliance with the most recent edition of the bylaw within a period of 1year from its enactment.

D.

The illumination of any proposed sign shall be completely described and documented
with the application submitted under Article III, Section 1.B. A written certification of
the luminance (in candela per square foot) of each illuminated sign shall be obtained from
a licensed electrician, the sign manufacturer or a qualified lighting or engineering
consultant and will accompany the sign permit application. The sign shall be maintained
in conformance with and within the limits of this description and certification.

E.

Exterior sign illumination shall be shielded and targeted solely at the sign.

F.

It shall be a violation of this bylaw to operate an individual letter or segmented sign in
any manner other than with all letters or segments lighted or with all letters or segments
not lighted.

G.

Any illumination on Free Standing Signs must be white in color.

H.

Any illumination on Wall Signs must be white in color.

SECTION 2 - Overspill
Illuminated signs, parking lot lighting, building floodlighting, and other exterior lighting shall be
designed and placed such that their collective result does not create so much light overspill onto
adjacent premises that it creates excessive glare from normal viewing angles.
In addition, the following requirements must be met:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Internally illuminated signs on the premises collectively total not more than fifteen
thousand (15,000) initial rated lamp lumens.
Building floodlighting totals not more than fifty thousand (50,000) initial rated lamp
lumens.
Exterior lighting fixtures, other than roadway and parking area lights, are mounted not
more than twenty (20) feet above grade.
Roadway or parking luminaries should be of the "cut-off" type and provide glare control
from normal viewing angles. All other exterior light fixtures or lamp holders should be
designed to provide glare control or be shielded with louvers, hoods or visors.

The Board of Appeals may grant a Special Permit for lighting which does not comply with these
specifications if it determines that the performance standards of the first paragraph will still be
met, and if the applicant provides certification from a qualified lighting or engineering consultant
that the luminance of any sign or building element will not exceed 6 candela per square foot in
residential districts or 16 candela per square foot in other districts.
SECTION 3. Hours
No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.
A Special Permit from the Board of Appeals may be granted to allow illumination at
establishments that are open to the public from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, and the requirements of
Article 39.5, Illumination are met.
SECTION 4. Movement and Stability
With the exception of seasonal festive lights, flashing, moving or revolving lights are prohibited.
All exterior and sign illumination and all interior illumination clearly visible from the exterior
shall be steady and stationary, except where otherwise permitted by this Bylaw.
39.6

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The following Special Considerations apply to all zones:
A.
Cemeteries, Gravestones, Monuments, and Markers are exempt from this bylaw.
B.

Historic and Memorial Plaques of six (6) square feet or less exclusive of supporting
structure are permitted.

C.

Schools, Municipal Buildings and Houses of Worship. The provisions of this bylaw
applicable within the Business Zones shall apply to schools, municipal buildings and
houses of worship wherever they are located within the Town. One freestanding sign with
an area of twenty (20) square feet, maximum, may be erected on a Town owned lot with
or without a building situated thereon. The Selectmen may authorize such freestanding
sign to include digital display, but not animation, of announcements of municipal
events and emergencies.
For proposed municipal electronic signs, what is anticipated size and placement? See
39.4 Section 3.B for applicable business zone criteria, which otherwise allows 30 SF
but a minimum 5’ setback. Consider criteria for HDC approval in historic district,
minimum time for each message displayed, color limitations, ...? What will be
pushback from business community and houses of worship for disparate treatment?

D.

Temporary, Non-Commercial Signs. Signs totaling no greater than six (6) square feet
each in area may be displayed on any lot no longer than 30 days in a calendar year. No
permit from the Building Inspector is required. The size(s) and time(s) of display of
temporary, non-commercial signs which are being carried or held aloft by individuals are
not subject to the restrictions of this bylaw. Notwithstanding the foregoing, these
requirements shall not apply to political, religious, or personal message (free speech)
signs.

E.

Residential Identification. In a Residential Zone, placards or letters identifying the
occupant of a residence are not subject to the provisions of this bylaw.

F.

Banners. In all zones, one (1) banner may display community activities by the
municipality or by a not-for-profit organization recognized by the Secretary of State of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Said signs may not be erected without first making
application and obtaining a permit from the Bedford Selectmen.

G.

Public Access Signs. Signs which are required by the general public to locate Federal,
State or Municipal facilities, houses of worship, or officially recognized, commonly
sought out not-for-profit organizations within the Town of Bedford may be erected on
public property or on the public right-of-way upon specific authorization by the Bedford
Selectmen. The sponsoring organization shall be responsible for the erection and
maintenance of such signs and for the prompt removal of them upon order of the Bedford
Selectmen.

H.

Open-for-Business Flags. Flags indicating that the business is open may be displayed in
the Business, Commercial and Industrial Zones, and must conform to the following
requirements:
1.
The Open-for-Business flag may only be displayed when the business is open to
the public and conducting business.
2.
One (1) Open-for-Business flag per business is permitted, to be located at or near
the main entrance to said business.
3.
The Open-for-Business flag’s dimensions shall not exceed 5’-wide x 3’-high.
4.
The Open-for-Business flag’s colors shall adhere to the prohibitions noted under
Section 39.4, Paragraph 1.B (4), which prohibits luminescent, phosphorescent
“Day-Glo” or equivalent paints, dyes, or other materials from use on signs.
5.
The Open-for-Business flag shall be removed promptly when the business is
closed.
6.
Open-for-Business flags are prohibited in Residential Zones.

I.

The Bedford Selectmen may authorize temporary exemptions to this bylaw for special
events.

J.

Public Art, as approved/promoted/authorized by the Cultural District Partnership or the
Bedford Select Board, shall not be considered a “sign” for the purposes of this Bylaw.

TOWN OF BEDFORD
BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730
TOWN MANAGER’S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
To:
From:
Date:
Re:

Select Board
Matt Bennet, Project Manager
August 4, 2026
Assigned Select Board Liaison list

1
2
3

Brosgol
Brosgol
Brosgol

4

Brosgol

5

Brosgol

6
7
8
9

Brosgol
Brosgol
Brosgol
Brosgol

1

Hanegan

2

Hanegan

3

Hanegan

5

Hanegan and
Mortenson
Hanegan and
Mortenson

6

Hanegan

4

1
2
3
4
5

Malone
Malone
Malone
Malone
Malone

Board of Assessors
Board of Health OPEN
Chamber of Commerce
Energy and Sustainability
(member)
Hanscom Area Towns
Committee (HATS)
MAGIC (Minuteman
Advisory Group on
Interlocal Coordination)
MAPC (Metropolitan Area
Planning Council) (alternate)
MBTA Advisory Board
(member)
Zoning Board of Appeals

4:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:30 AM
7:00 PM

Bi-weekly Tuesdays
1st & 2nd Mondays
1st Wednesday of the Month
Monthly Thursdays

7:00 PM

As needed Tuesdays

9:00 AM

Monthly Tuesdays

Evenings

Quarterly Evenings

10:00 AM

As needed Tuesdays

7:00 PM

Bi-weekly Thursdays

Community Preservation
Committee (member)
ad hoc Depot Park Advisory
Committee
Volunteer Coordinating
Committee
Municipal Affordable
Housing Trust (members)
Planning Board
OPEN/SHARE
Trails Committee
OPEN/DAN

7:00 PM

As needed

10:00 AM

As needed

Mornings – Time Varies

As needed

12:00 PM

Monthly Tuesdays

7:00 PM

Bi-weekly Tuesdays

7:00 PM

Monthly Tuesdays

Ad hoc Tricentennial
Committee
Arbor Resources OPEN
Community Media
Committee
Patriotic Holiday Committee
Recreation Commission

7:00PM

Monthly Mondays

7:30 PM
5:00 PM

Monthly Thursdays
Monthly Wednesdays

6:00 PM
6:00 PM

Monthly Wednesdays
Monthly Wednesdays

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Terrence
Terrence
Terrence
Terrence
Terrence
Terrence
Terrence
Terrence

Bedford Community
Partnership
Capital Expenditure
Committee (member)
Cultural Council
Commission on Disability
Fire Station Building
Committee (member)
HFAC (Hanscom Field
Advisory Commission)
(member)
Library Trustees
Historic District Commission

Bicycle Advisory Committee
OPEN
Mortenson
Conservation Commission
Mortenson
Council on Aging Board
Mortenson
Finance Committee
HFAC (Hanscom Field
Mortenson
Advisory Commission)
(alternate)
Historic Preservation
Mortenson
Commission
Mortenson
Taxation Aid Committee
Transportation Advisory
Mortenson
Committee OPEN
Youth & Family Services
Mortenson
Committee (member)
Charter & Bylaw Review
Mortenson
Committee (member)
Mortenson and Municipal Affordable
Hanegan
Housing Trust (members)
Mortenson and
Planning Board
Hanegan
Mortenson

7:00 PM
7:00 PM
10:00 AM
6:00 PM

Bi-weekly Wednesdays
Fall/Winter
Monthly Wednesdays
2nd Tuesday of the Month
Monthly Mondays

7:00 PM

Monthly Tuesdays

7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Monthly Tuesdays
1st Monday of the Month

7:00 PM

Monthly Wednesdays

6:00 PM
10:00 AM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Monthly Wednesdays
Monthly Tuesdays
As needed Thursdays
Monthly Tuesdays

7:00 PM

Monthly Wednesday

5:00 AM
7:00 PM

Monthly Mondays
Monthly Wednesdays, 1ST

7:00 PM

Bi-Monthly Thursdays

As needed

As needed

12:00 PM

Monthly Tuesdays

7:00 PM

Bi-Weekly Tuesdays

Public Disclosure Required Under Chapter 268A Section 20(b)
Date:

081L8l2026

To Whom It May Concern:
Please be advised that, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 268A, Section
Daisy Bhatt
20(b), r
who have the position of

(Print Name)
Summer Adventures Counselor

am publicly disclosing that I have
(Print first position held)
been offered a second employrnent position with the Town of Bedford as a(n)

SACC Assistant Group Leader

(Print second position requested)
This second employment position is contingent upon having received the Bedford Selectmelr's
vote of apprcval exempting me from the provision of said Section 20(b).

It is understood that the second position will be performed outside the normal hours ol my regular
(tirst) position with the Town, that the duties of the second position are not part of my duties in
my first position, and that I will not work more than 500 (five hundred) houn per year in the
second position.

Sincerely,

Szozz
APPROVAL

Approval granted fbr an exemption under Chapter 26tlA, Section 20(b) granted this _

day

of
Select Board of Bedford

Certification of Department for Section 20(b) Exemption
publicly advertised

This is to certify that the
(Department's Narne)
for the position of

I further certify that no

(print position)
present employee of this department is

Department
Date:

required of this position.

Gtr[\ftr
AUG 1 8 2026
BEDFORD RECREATION

PuHic Disclosure Required Under Cbapter 268A Section 20(b)
Date:

813126

To Whom It May Concern
Please be advised that, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 268A, Section

Gabriel Courtemanche
(Print Name)
Springs brook park lifeguard

who have the position of

20(b), t

am publicly disclosing that I have
(Print flrst position held)
been offered a second employment position with the Town of Bedford as a(n)

Bedford basketball league table staff
(Print second position requested)
This second employment position is contingent upon having received the Bedford Selectmen's
vote of approval exempting me from the provision of said Section 20(b).

It is understood that the second position will be performed outside the normal hours of my regular
(frst) position with the Town, that the duties of the second position are not part of my duties in
my first position, and that I will not work more than 500 (five hundred) hours per year in the
second position.

Sincerely,

.WsO.6.cd

APPROVAL
Approval granted for an exemption under Chapter 268A, Section 20(b) granted this

day

of

-

Select Bmrd of Bedford

Certification of Departrnent for Section 20O) Exemption
This is to certify that the

Recreation Department

hlc

publicly advertised

@epartment's Name)

for the position of

Sports Official

I furthercertify that no

(print position)
present employee of this dep artment is available to

Date:

required of this position.

Application for Special Event Temporary Sign(s)
Under Bedford General Bylaws Article 39.6.I Special Considerations
Date:
Organization’s Name and Address:
Contact Person’s Name:

8/17/2026

Bedford Creativity,eInc. aka Bedford Destination Imagination

Stephanie Levetin

Telephone Number of Contact:
Type of Event:

Destination Imagination Registration

Date(s) of Event:

Month of Sept Requested Sign Display Dates: Start: 8/31/2026 End: 10/1/2026

Location of Event:

online registration

Offsite Signs
Number of Signs being applied for:
One
Two
Location of each Offsite Sign:
Mudge Way and Great Rd (near Police Station)
In Front of Public Works
Great Rd and Hillside Ave (near Bike Path)
Onsite Sign (if any)
Location:
SIGN TO READ:

Will you be requesting a Sandwich Board from the
DPW?
Yes
No
If so, how many?

One

Please note that you must call the DPW
(781-275-7605) to reserve a sandwich board as
they are not always available.
Banner
Location:

(Or attach a photograph of the sign)

(see attached)

Applicant’s Signature:
Selectmen Approval:

Date:

Alternate:
Town Manager Approval:

Date:

Conditions:

Two

Town of Bedford
Summer 2026 Follow-Up
Curbside Cart Monitoring
Summary Report

Prepared for
The Town of Bedford
Department of Public Works

Prepared by BCLW Consulting
Salem, MA

August 17, 2026

Summer 2026 Follow-Up Curbside Cart
Monitoring – Summary Report
Town of Bedford, Massachusetts
Summer 2026 Follow-Up Curbside Cart Monitoring – Summary Report
Audit Period: June 15 – August 10, 2026
Prepared by: BCLW Consulting

Executive Summary
Between June 15 and August 10, 2026, BCLW Consulting conducted a follow-up curbside cart monitoring
campaign for the Town of Bedford. Building on the comprehensive Fall 2025 Curbside Trash & Recycling
Cart Audit, the summer campaign provided a second period of field observations to determine whether
the operational patterns identified in the fall—particularly cart set-outs, overflow behavior, use of
Town-issued overflow bags, visible recycling contamination, and cart condition—continued during a
different season.
The summer results are broadly consistent with the findings of the fall 2025 audit. Across both audit
periods, the data show relatively consistent patterns in cart set-outs and overflow behavior, limited
visible recycling contamination, continued use of Town-issued overflow bags, and relatively few carts
with condition issues requiring Town attention.
The consistency between the two audit periods is significant. The summer audit was conducted during a
different season and over nine collection weeks, yet the overall patterns observed at the curb remained
similar.
The summer follow-up therefore strengthens the Fall 2025 findings and provides greater confidence
that the observed patterns are characteristic of Bedford's curbside program rather than conditions
unique to a single audit period or season.

1

Summer 2026 Audit Results
The summer audit was conducted over nine weekly collection periods from June 15 through August 10,
2026. Field observations were recorded at the individual cart level using the same general approach
used during the fall audit.
A total of 9,646 assigned cart observations were recorded during the summer audit. Of these, 6,718
carts were set out for collection, representing an overall set-out rate of approximately 70 percent.

Summary of Observations
Metric

Summer 2026 Result

Assigned Cart Observations

9,646

Total Cart Set-Outs

6,718

Overall Set-Out Rate

69.6%

Trash Set-Outs

3,368

Recycling Set-Outs

3,065

Food Waste Set-Outs

280

Overflowing Trash Carts

263

Overflowing Recycling Carts

264

Total Overflow Observations

531

Town-Issued Overflow Bags

179

Visible Recycling Contamination Observations 13
Carts Flagged for Condition Issues

42

Field Observations Warranting Town Review

47

Set-out Patterns
Set-out behavior was notably consistent over the nine-week audit period. Overall weekly set-out rates
ranged from approximately 66 percent to 72 percent, with no significant week-to-week changes.
Trash and recycling set-outs were similarly stable. Trash carts accounted for approximately half of
weekly set-outs, while recycling carts generally accounted for approximately 45 to 47 percent. Food
waste carts represented a much smaller share of observed set-outs.
2

This consistency suggests that the summer observations provide a representative picture of normal
household participation rather than results driven by one or two unusually high- or low-volume
collection weeks. For the purposes of this audit, overflow was evaluated separately for trash and
recycling and captured using multiple, distinct metrics. Trash overflow was defined in two ways: (1)
trash carts that were visibly overflowing, and (2) the presence and number of Town-issued overflow
bags placed at the curb outside the cart. Recycling overflow was defined as recycling carts that were
visibly overflowing. In cases where recycling carts were overflowing, auditors also noted whether
obvious contamination was visible from the curb.
All overflow observations were recorded visually at the time of collection, without opening cart lids or
disturbing material. As a result, the findings reflect operational conditions observable by collection
crews rather than detailed material composition.

Overflow and Overflow Bag Use
Overflow continued to be a regular feature of Bedford's curbside collection program. During the
summer audit, BCLW observed 263 overflowing trash carts and 179 Town-issued overflow bags.
For purposes of the audit, a trash cart was recorded as overflowing whenever the lid did not close
completely. This definition captures a range of conditions, from carts with substantial amounts of
material extending above the rim to carts where the lid remained only partially open.
Based on field observations, BCLW estimates that approximately half of the carts recorded as
overflowing were only moderately overfilled and, in many cases, the lid likely could have been closed if
the contents had been rearranged or compacted within the cart. This estimate was not separately
recorded as a data field and should therefore be considered a qualitative field observation rather than a
measured audit result.
Even with that qualification, the number of overflowing trash carts exceeded the use of Town-issued
overflow bags. This is consistent with the Fall 2025 audit and reflects, at least in part, Bedford's current
approach to overflow. The Town provides designated overflow bags as the mechanism for disposing of
trash that exceeds cart capacity but does not currently enforce the requirement that excess trash be
placed in those bags.
In the absence of enforcement, residents may have little incentive to purchase an overflow bag when
excess trash placed in an overfilled cart is collected without an additional charge. More consistent
enforcement of the Town's overflow requirements would likely shift some excess trash from overflowing
carts to Town-issued overflow bags and increase overflow bag use and associated revenue.
The findings do not necessarily indicate that Bedford's standard trash carts are routinely inadequate.
Rather, they suggest a combination of occasional excess trash generation, how residents load their carts,
and the absence of enforcement of the existing overflow-bag requirement.

3

Table 1. Weekly Trash Overflow and Overflow Bag Use
Audit Week Overflowing Trash Carts Town-Issued Overflow Bags Total Trash Overflow Observations
06/15/2026
06/22/2026
06/29/2026
07/06/2026
07/13/2026
07/20/2026
07/27/2026
08/03/2026
08/10/2026
Total

13
42
22
18
28
28
36
35
41
263

9
20
11
26
16
22
25
32
18
179

22
62
33
44
44
50
61
67
59
442

Weekly trends in trash overflow are illustrated in Figure 1, which shows both overflowing trash carts and
the use of Town-issued overflow bags by audit week.
Figure 1. Weekly Trash Overflow Trends

Data source: Table 1
Figure 1 shows a consistent pattern across the summer audit period: overflowing trash carts generally
outnumbered Town-issued overflow bags. In eight of the nine audit weeks, more overflowing trash carts
were observed than overflow bags. This pattern is consistent with the Fall 2025 audit and suggests that,
in the absence of enforcement, some residents manage excess trash by overfilling their carts rather than
purchasing Town-issued overflow bags.

4

Recycling Contamination
Among overflowing recycling carts, visible contamination was infrequently observed during the summer
monitoring campaign. Of 264 overflowing recycling carts, only 13—approximately 5 percent—had
contamination readily visible from the curb.
As with the Fall 2025 cart audit, contamination observations were limited to material readily visible to
auditors from the curb. Auditors did not open cart lids or examine the contents of recycling carts. As a
result, the cart audit was not designed to measure Bedford's overall recycling contamination rate.
This distinction is important. A separate recycling composition audit conducted for Republic Services in
Fall 2025 found approximately 21 percent contamination in Bedford's recycling stream. The summer cart
audit findings do not contradict that result. Rather, they indicate that much of the contamination
present in Bedford's recycling stream is not readily visible through curbside observation, including in
carts that are overflowing.
The results demonstrate the limitations of using visual curbside observations to assess recycling quality.
While the cart audit can identify obvious contaminants visible at the curb, a recycling composition audit
provides a more reliable measure of the amount and types of contamination actually present in the
recycling stream.

Table 2. Weekly Recycling Overflow and Visible Contamination
Audit Week
06/15/2026
06/22/2026
06/29/2026
07/06/2026
07/13/2026
07/20/2026
07/27/2026
08/03/2026
08/10/2026
Total /
Average

Overflowing
Recycling Carts
26
34
20
24
24
33
37
37
29
264

Overflowing Recycling Carts % of Overflowing Recycling Carts
with Visible Contamination
with Visible Contamination
4
15.4%
4
11.8%
1
5%
0
0%
1
4.2%
1
3%
1
2.7%
1
2.7%
0
0%
13

~5%

Note: Recycling contamination was assessed only for overflowing recycling carts and only when contamination was
readily visible from the curb. Auditors did not open cart lids or disturb material. These observations do not
represent the overall contamination rate for Bedford's recycling stream.
Data source: BCLW field observations, June–August 2026.

5

Cart Condition Summary
The summer audit identified 42 carts with condition issues, representing less than one-half of one
percent of assigned cart observations.
This finding is consistent with the fall 2025 audit, which found that most Bedford carts remained
structurally sound and serviceable despite the advanced age of much of the Town's trash cart inventory.
While individual carts will continue to require repair or replacement as the inventory ages, the summer
observations do not indicate widespread cart failure. The combined findings of the two audits continue
to support a targeted, as-needed approach to cart repair and replacement rather than large-scale
replacement based solely on cart age.

Inventory Verification and Database Follow-Up
Throughout the summer campaign, BCLW identified and documented 47 cart inventory or address
observations warranting Town review. These included carts not appearing on the working inventory,
serial numbers that differed from those listed, possible duplicate records, address-assignment
questions, and newly assigned carts not yet reflected in the working data.
BCLW provided these field observations to the Town of Bedford for follow-up. Town staff reviewed the
identified discrepancies and made corrections to the Town's cart database as appropriate. Because
these corrections were made directly by the Town and were not necessarily incorporated back into
BCLW's Master spreadsheet, the Master spreadsheet should not be interpreted as a cumulative record
of all inventory discrepancies identified or corrections made during the campaign.
The final field day on August 10 also included targeted follow-up at addresses identified by the Town as
requiring additional verification. BCLW revisited these locations to document carts, confirm serial
numbers and set-outs where possible, and provide the Town with additional field information needed to
resolve outstanding inventory questions.
The summer campaign therefore provided an additional opportunity to verify cart information in the
field and supply the Town with data to support its ongoing cart inventory management.

Comparison with Fall 2025
The primary value of the summer audit is the opportunity to compare observations from two different
periods of the year.
Although individual counts vary between the two audits because of differences in the number of
observations, audit duration, and seasonal conditions, the overall findings are consistent:
•

Set-out behavior is relatively stable from week to week.

•

Trash and recycling overflow occur regularly but affect a relatively small portion of observed setouts.
6

•

Overflowing trash carts continue to be observed more frequently than the use of Town-issued
overflow bags.

•

Obvious recycling contamination visible from the curb is limited.

•

Only a small percentage of carts show condition issues requiring attention.

•

The Town's existing cart inventory continues to perform well overall despite the age of many
trash carts.

•

Cart inventory discrepancies continued to be identified through field observations, providing the
Town with additional information to support database review and correction.

Rather than identifying a significant change from the fall 2025 findings, the summer audit largely
confirms the operating patterns identified during the first audit.

Conclusion
The Summer 2026 Curbside Cart Audit provides a second substantial set of field observations of
Bedford's curbside collection program. When considered together with the Fall 2025 audit, the results
establish a stronger baseline for evaluating cart use, overflow behavior, recycling contamination, and
cart condition.
Most importantly, the summer audit did not identify a materially different pattern from what was
observed in fall 2025. Set-out behavior remained consistent, overflow continued at relatively modest
levels, visible contamination among overflowing recycling carts remained limited.
The summer follow-up validates the Fall 2025 findings and provides greater confidence that the
observed behaviors are characteristic of Bedford's curbside program rather than artifacts of a single
audit period.
The combined audit data can therefore serve as a reliable baseline for future program planning, cart
maintenance decisions, overflow management, resident education, and comparison with future
curbside observations.

7

% EXPENDED

% REMAINING

FY27 Budget to Actuals as of 8.27.26
Without School Dept 300

100%

90%

100%

87%

72%

85%

69%

87%

95%

92%

81%

88%

85%

87%

81%

86%

85%

76%

90%

83%

89%

80%

100%

88%

89%

88%

87%

83%

87%

95%

57%

80%

60%

43%

40%

31%
28%

24%
20%

20%

19%

19%

17%
15%

15%
13%

13%
12%

14%

17%

15%

13%

10%

10%

12%

11%

11%

12%

13%

13%

8%

5%

5%

0%

0%

0%

% EXPENDED

% REMAINING

WO School
DEPT
122 SELECTMEN
131 FINANCE COMMITTEE
133 FINANCE
141 BOARD OF ASSESSORS

% EXPENDED
10.0%
0.0%
13.0%

% REMAINING
90.0%
100.0%
87.0%

27.9%

72.1%

151 LEGAL SERVICES
155 IT
161 TOWN CLERK
162 ELECTIONS AND
REGISTRATIONS
175 PLANNING BOARD
192 FACILITIES DEPARTMENT

15.2%
30.6%
13.5%

84.8%
69.4%
86.5%

5.0%

95.0%

8.0%

92.0%

19.1%

80.9%

210 POLICE DEPARTMENT
220 FIRE DEPARTMENT
240 CODE ENFORCEMENT
301 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

11.8%
15.5%
12.8%

88.2%
84.5%
87.2%

19.2%

80.8%

14.5%

85.5%

14.6%

85.4%

23.9%

76.1%

9.9%

90.1%

17.0%

83.0%

11.0%

89.0%

20.3%

79.7%

0.2%

99.8%

11.7%

88.3%

10.7%

89.3%

11.7%

88.3%

12.9%

87.1%

16.7%

83.3%

12.8%

87.2%

4.7%

95.3%

43.2%

56.8%

401 PUBLIC WORKS - REFUSE
403 PUBLIC WORKS GROUNDS
404 PUBLIC WORKS - HIGHWAY
405 PUBLIC WORKS MECHANICAL
406 PUBLIC WORKS - SEWER
407 PUBLIC WORKS - WATER
409 PUBLIC WORKS - ADMIN
423 SNOW & ICE
500 BOARD OF HEALTH
540 BEDFORD LOCAL TRANSIT
541 COUNCIL ON AGING
542 YOUTH AND FAMILY
SERVICES
610 LIBRARY
630 RECREATION COMMISSION
710 DEBT SERVICE
910 INSURANCE AND BENEFITS

GRAND TOTAL

21.33%

78.67%

DEPT
122 SELECTMEN
131 FINANCE COMMITTEE
133 FINANCE
141 BOARD OF ASSESSORS
151 LEGAL SERVICES
155 IT
161 TOWN CLERK
162 ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATIONS
175 PLANNING BOARD
192 FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
210 POLICE DEPARTMENT
220 FIRE DEPARTMENT
240 CODE ENFORCEMENT
301 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
401 PUBLIC WORKS - REFUSE
403 PUBLIC WORKS - GROUNDS
404 PUBLIC WORKS - HIGHWAY
405 PUBLIC WORKS - MECHANICAL
406 PUBLIC WORKS - SEWER
407 PUBLIC WORKS - WATER
409 PUBLIC WORKS - ADMIN
423 SNOW & ICE
500 BOARD OF HEALTH
540 BEDFORD LOCAL TRANSIT
541 COUNCIL ON AGING
542 YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
610 LIBRARY
630 RECREATION COMMISSION
710 DEBT SERVICE
910 INSURANCE AND BENEFITS

GRAND TOTAL

ORIGINAL
APPRORIATION
1,464,811.00
751,614.00
1,077,315.00
350,384.00
200,300.00
1,227,000.00
338,702.00
54,675.00
287,629.00
3,885,061.00
5,744,760.00
3,789,301.00
778,543.00
1,625,701.00
2,119,510.00
962,247.00
2,561,116.00
766,463.00
5,072,197.00
3,778,139.00
1,653,643.00
342,453.00
548,412.00
73,685.00
329,423.00
661,167.00
1,719,795.00
60,456.00
11,600,000.00
20,417,451.00

TRANSFER
ADJUSTMENTS
6,355.00
12,463.00
3,600.00
25,000.00
14,087.00
255.00
549,227.00
9,672.00
23,137.00
150.00
163,909.00
42,788.00
247,813.00
3,233.00
30,500.00
363,259.00
51,654.00
739.00
981.00
17,630.00
31,771.00

REVISED BUDGET
1,471,166.00
751,614.00
1,089,778.00
353,984.00
225,300.00
1,241,087.00
338,702.00
54,675.00
287,884.00
4,434,288.00
5,754,432.00
3,812,438.00
778,693.00
1,625,701.00
2,283,419.00
1,005,035.00
2,808,929.00
769,696.00
5,102,697.00
4,141,398.00
1,705,297.00
343,192.00
549,393.00
73,685.00
329,423.00
678,797.00
1,719,795.00
60,456.00
11,600,000.00
20,449,222.00

YTD EXPENDED
141,245.86
235.00
139,966.57
95,296.76
18,680.00
374,056.05
45,707.70
2,715.00
22,700.73
381,606.90
674,684.97
578,207.50
99,586.56
312,254.49
329,050.29
127,244.19
653,833.28
75,985.39
842,724.50
423,661.51
228,968.02
64,274.85
7,863.64
38,617.02
84,257.88
287,301.45
7,738.50
550,729.80
8,833,263.70

ENCUMBRANCES
5,358.78
1,700.00
3,600.00
15,486.00
5,313.65
254.98
464,791.55
2,863.86
12,014.42
1,729.57
19,149.80
17,276.12
26,897.77
33,035.47
117,434.38
739.43
8.95
3,272.72
3,193.50

AVAILABLE
BUDGET
1,324,561.36
751,379.00
948,111.43
255,087.24
191,134.00
861,717.30
292,994.30
51,960.00
264,928.29
3,587,889.55
5,076,883.17
3,222,216.08
679,106.44
1,313,446.51
1,952,639.14
858,641.01
2,137,819.60
693,710.61
4,233,074.73
3,684,701.02
1,358,894.60
342,452.57
485,109.20
65,821.36
290,805.98
591,266.40
1,432,493.55
52,717.50
11,049,270.20
11,612,764.80

%
EXPENDED
10.0%
0.0%
13.0%
27.9%
15.2%
30.6%
13.5%
5.0%
8.0%
19.1%
11.8%
15.5%
12.8%
19.2%
14.5%
14.6%
23.9%
9.9%
17.0%
11.0%
20.3%
0.2%
11.7%
10.7%
11.7%
12.9%
16.7%
12.8%
4.7%
43.2%

%
REMAINING
90.0%
100.0%
87.0%
72.1%
84.8%
69.4%
86.5%
95.0%
92.0%
80.9%
88.2%
84.5%
87.2%
80.8%
85.5%
85.4%
76.1%
90.1%
83.0%
89.0%
79.7%
99.8%
88.3%
89.3%
88.3%
87.1%
83.3%
87.2%
95.3%
56.8%

74,241,953.00

1,598,223.00

75,840,176.00

15,442,458.11

734,120.95

59,663,596.94

21.33%

78.67%

TOWN OF BEDFORD

BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01730

TOWN MANAGER’S OFFICE

Date:

August 27, 2026

To:

The Select Board

From:

Matt Bennet – Project Manager

Subject:

8.31.2026 Town Manager’s Report

Town Hall
10 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730-2144
Phone 781-275-1111

The Town Manager’s Report will be uploaded to the packet on Monday, August 31, 2026. Thank
you for understanding.