Should Bedford Vote On Its Town Budget? Charter Commission Discusses Issue Wednesday

BEDFORD, NH — Bedford’s Charter Commission will host a public hearing on Wednesday to discuss whether the town should change its town budgeting process, according to Terry Wolf, chairwoman of the commission.

The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. in the Town Meeting Room at 10 Meetinghouse Road.

The commission was elected in March after a response to a ballot question suggesting the change.

Bedford approves its budget by town meeting on the Wednesday after election day, based on the vote of those registered voters attending that meeting. The change would allow voters who cast ballots for the school budget via the state’s SB 2 process to vote on the town budget.

Nearly all but a handful of communities around the state use both processes to make decisions about town and school budgets. Both methods are based on historical traditions in New Hampshire.

Proponents of the change, Wolf said, cited “the availability of absentee ballots, increased voter participation, and the ability to vote on the school and town budgets at the same time.” She said only 57 registered voters participated in the town’s $38 million budget town meeting vote, which included collective bargaining agreements and capital reserve deposits.

On the flip side, advocates for keeping town meeting for the town budget said a more informed debate occurs during the process.

“There are concerns moving to SB2 would increase the number of absentee ballots,” she said, “create a longer voting time (because of a longer ballot) and has the potential for a default budget if citizens vote no.”

During the last four meetings, commission members have discussed the pros, cons, benefits, and downsides of changing the process. Wolf said the hearing Wednesday would allow for more public input.

Comments can also be emailed to chartercommission2023@bedfordnh.org.

The commission must conclude its work and issue a report by Oct. 15.

For more information, visit the charter commission’s website, linked here.

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