Council accepts state highway safety grant; discussion flags minor language and amount inconsistency

The Bedford Town Council voted unanimously on June 25 to accept a New Hampshire Highway Safety Grant intended to support traffic enforcement campaigns and equipment purchases.

Town Manager Rick Sawyer said the grant supports impaired‑driving campaigns, speed enforcement, distracted‑driving enforcement and occupant‑protection efforts and can fund items such as radar units and message boards. He told the council the state is now requiring formal governing‑body acceptance even for routine, budgeted grants.

Councilor Becky Soule asked about the grant language referencing seat‑belt enforcement. Councilor Soule noted New Hampshire does not have a primary adult seat‑belt law and moved to remove that language; another councilor observed the state does have occupant‑protection statutes for minors and child‑passenger requirements. The packet includes an Exhibit B describing occupant protection and child passenger enforcement at locations frequented by those under 18 (for example, near schools).

There is an inconsistency in the meeting packet: the agenda item text referenced a grant amount of $9,400, while the motion read into the record used $209,400. The council approved the motion as presented (the motion text accepted $209,400) by a 7–0 vote.

Councilor Bill Carter moved that the council accept the terms of the New Hampshire Highway Safety Grant and authorize the town manager and police chief to execute the grant paperwork. Councilor Kathleen Bemis seconded. The council approved the motion unanimously.

Staff noted the grant includes a scope of work (Exhibit B) that places particular emphasis on occupant‑protection and child‑passenger enforcement in venues where drivers or passengers under 18 are known to visit. The police department will administer the grant and report back per grant terms.