Get to Town Meeting

Friday, March 1, 2013

We urge you to attend the Budgetary Town Meeting on March 6, at 7 p.m. at Bedford High School.

Though the items in this year’s town budget are not extraordinary, you should still take a look at how your money is being spent.

The proposed operating budget is $25.9 million, which includes 20 cents (per $1,000 assessed property value) for the first payment on the road bond approved by voters in 2011; a sidewalk study proposed by the Planning Board; road maintenance; funding of several new employees for the planning and police departments; an allocation for anticipated retirements in the fire department; replacement of a fire engine; the general operating fund, police special detail, recreation day camp, BCTV, special revenue funds and the sewer fund. Some items are offset by revenues.

The estimated tax rate is $4.65 per $1,000 assessed property valuation. That’s a tax increase of 30 cents over last year’s tax rate. This covers taxes on the town side only.

The town provides a full breakdown on the budget at www.bedfordnh.org. On the home page, you will find the 2013 Town Meeting Handout that details budget items, a sample ballot, a proposed citizen petition to rezone the Bedford Village Inn area, and planning amendments.

At Town Meeting, the Town Council will review the budget line by line, receive resident input and address questions.

Take the time to attend the meeting and you may feel better about paying your property taxes knowing where the money is going – or maybe not.

While you’re at the town website, check out the proposed school budget at www.sau25.net. On March 13, voters will be asked to approve a $61.8 million operating budget and salaries.