🌱 New Bill Escalates Zoning Friction + PFAS Removal Rebate Program

Hello, neighbors! Helen Eckhard here, filling in for your usual curator Paula with your Thursday edition of the Bedford Daily. Please note that your newsletter may be a bit lighter during this time. Now, here's all the local news you need to know right now.

First, today's weather:

Variably cloudy, a thunderstorm. High: 86 Low: 67.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

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• Bedford Parents of young athletes: looking for a way to give your athlete a competitive edge? Check out Redline Athletics — a youth performance center focused on speed, strength and agility training. Redline Athletics offers membership based comprehensive programs for athletes ages 8-18 in all sports. Give your athlete the foundation needed to excel with confidence. Visit Redline Athletics here for their no-commitment summer promo — 1 month unlimited for $339 and 2 months unlimited for $569.

  

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Here are the top three stories in Bedford today:

1. A new bill signed by Governor Chris Sununu earlier this month is fueling friction between a local religious group and members of the NH Municipal Association. Bedford leaders issued a cease and desist to the New Hope Christian Fellowship group last October, claiming the church had failed to obtain a proper occupancy permit. The new House Bill 1021 seeks to override zoning ordinances that regulate land used for religious purposes, and the municipal association is currently coordinating with municipal attorneys to decide how to interpret the new law. (New Hampshire Business Review)
2. A local restauranteur has announced his endorsement of Karoline Leavitt in the 1st Congressional District primary election. Tom Boucher of Great NH Restaurants said in an opinion piece issued to media outlets earlier this week that the candidate possesses an "unrelenting work ethic" and "a strong sense of personal responsibility." This year's primary election will be held on Sep. 13. (Patch)
3. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services announced Wednesday that the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Removal Rebate Program is now accepting applications. The program provides rebates to private well users for up to $5,000 for the installation of PFAS treatment or up to $10,000 for a service connection to a public water system. Private well users can learn more next Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. during a live webinar. (Town of Bedford News Flash)

Today in Bedford:

• All About Seed Saving At Bedford Public Library (1:00 PM)
• Custom Beer Flight Workshop At Pipe Dream Brewery (5:30 PM)
• New England Lobster Bake At Bedford Village Inn (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• There's a new list of adoptable pets currently looking for homes in the Bedford area! Check them out at the link! (Bedford Patch)
• Heads up, house hunters! Several open houses are happening this weekend around the Bedford area. Check out your local Patch to explore listings near you! (Bedford Patch)
• Feeling under the weather? The Bedford Public Library is still offering contact-free pickup for all library users. Just place your hold requests as usual and you will be notified when your materials are ready for pickup. (Bedford (NH) Public Library via Facebook)

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• BAE Retirement Planning Dinner (August 4)
• Bedford Garden Club Mum Sale (August 8)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing assistant at Lightning Media Partners. She is a self-professed logophile who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in library science. Outside of work, you can find Helen constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.