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Commission prepares outreach materials for stream protection zoning amendment set for ballot
Summary
The conservation commission prepared postcards, flyers and an information broadcast to explain Zoning Amendment No. 4 (stream protection ordinance) to residents; members reminded they must not advocate for or against the ballot item but may provide factual information and answer questions.
Bedford’s Conservation Commission discussed outreach plans for a proposed stream protection ordinance that the planning board placed on the town warrant as Zoning Amendment No. 4.
Kathleen Ports, the town conservation planner, told commissioners the planning board placed the measure on the ballot at its Jan. 13 meeting and the commission can provide factual information about the proposal but cannot advocate for a particular vote. Ports said the commission is preparing a postcard, a frequently asked questions sheet, a map and an information flyer; the materials will include a QR code linking to the draft ordinance and related resources such as the town’s MS4 page.
Commissioners said they would distribute postcards at town offices, the library and local businesses, produce an information video through the town’s community-access channel, and offer to speak to civic groups such as the men’s club, women’s club and Rotary. Ports said she may ask residents who spoke in favor of the ordinance at the planning board to appear in informational material to explain why buffers matter for people who live on streams.
The commission discussed the Deliberative Session scheduled for Feb. 3 at the high school and said members plan to attend to answer factual questions if the ordinance is discussed there. Ports cautioned that, as town staff and commission representatives, members must not advocate for how residents should vote; they may explain the draft language, the purpose of buffers, and the resources available on the project website.
Commissioners reviewed layouts for a postcard and a two-sided handout; they asked staff and volunteer graphic editors to adjust images and add a QR code to the back so the front can show a simpler message. The commission noted that outreach intensity may depend on whether questions arise during the deliberative session and on early public interest.
