​Bedford Reschedules Election to March 16

BEDFORD, NH — Town Moderator Brian Shaughnessy announced on March 13, that after much consideration and discussion, he has elected to postpone the town and school elections originally scheduled for tomorrow to Thursday, March 16, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Bedford High School. Town offices will also be closed Tuesday, due to the upcoming storm.

"All forecasts indicate significant snowfall and potential blizzard conditions beginning very early in the day Tuesday and continuing well into the evening," he said in a statement. "I met at noon today with officials from the town and the school district, School District Moderator Bill Klein, Bedford Police Capt. Dan Douidi, Supervisor of the Checklist Joan McMahon, School superintendent Chip McGee, Town Manager Rick Sawyer, Town Council Chairwoman Kelleigh Murphy and Town Council Vice Chairman Jim Aguiar, to discuss the threat to the safety of the voters, poll workers, and town employees if the election was held as scheduled. All the participants of the meeting support my decision that it is in the best interest of public safety to postpone the election."

While news stories have reported that town elections are not postponed due to weather, RSA 40:4 specifically authorizes the town moderator to postpone voting day of the Town Meeting in the event of a weather emergency. In order to accommodate voters who planned their schedules and are not available on Thursday to vote, town offices will be open until 7 p.m. tonight to process absentee ballots, and will be open on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Budgetary Town Meeting will still be held as scheduled on Wednesday March 15, 7 p.m. at the Bedford High School Theatre.

"I stand behind our Town Moderator 1,000 percent," said Murphy in a statement. "We have a significant storm moving in which will bring potentially historic snowfall. Our first priority must be the safety of our residents, and the roads will likely not be safe for travel tomorrow. I have full confidence that Mr. Shaughnessy is acting within the authority conferred upon him by RSA 40:4."

The Bedford Police Department strongly urges motorists to avoid driving if possible during Tuesday's snowstorm. Please monitor the town's website and the Bedford Police Department's Nixle for important weather-related updates.

Submitted by John Guilfoil.