Council approves $10,000 transfer to cover unexpected general assistance costs, including cremations for wards of state

Bedford’s Town Council on June 25 authorized a $10,000 transfer from an unallocated reserve to the 2025 general assistance account after staff said the town had exceeded expected welfare expenditures.

Pam Hogan, who administers general assistance, told the council the town has seen a surge of inquiries and expenses related to deceased clients placed by the state in for‑profit nursing homes for whom no burial funds remained. Hogan said the town is responsible under RSA 165 for providing a “proper burial” or cremation when no other party will pay; staff reported several such calls in January and February and that five cases so far this year had required town funds.

Hogan and town staff said the typical cost for a direct cremation they negotiate is about $1,100 with compassion discounts commonly available; the town has limited ability to cap assistance and administrators said legal advice cautioned against a per‑person cap. Staff said they routinely check for family or other responsible parties and seek reimbursement where feasible; occasional welfare liens have been placed on properties when applicable, but most recipients are not homeowners.

Council action: Councilor Bill Carter moved and Councilor Kathleen Bemis seconded a motion to transfer $10,000 from an unallocated reserve (account cited in the staff motion) to the general assistance account. The motion passed unanimously, 7‑0.

Why it matters: Town administrators said the combination of higher living costs, aging residents who are wards of the state, and delays reconciling small Social Security accounts have increased short‑term welfare expenditures. The transfer is intended to cover immediate claimant costs while staff pursue other funding or repayment where possible.