Council moves 2025 operating budget to deliberative session and approves $14,000 from InvestNH funds for Stephen Buswell center

The Bedford Town Council on Jan. 22 moved the 2025 municipal operating budget to the Feb. 3 deliberative session and recorded a recommendation of 6–1 in favor of the budget as amended. Councilors debated a proposed $500,000 reduction to road‑maintenance line items and clarified that statutory rules govern how the default budget is calculated.

During the meeting Councilor Bill Carter moved that the council authorize up to $14,000 to the Stephen Buswell Community Center from the town’s Invest New Hampshire funds to help with start‑up and operating costs; the motion passed unanimously 7–0. Town Manager Rick Sawyer said the town received $220,000 in Invest New Hampshire funds in 2024 and that using a portion for the Stephen Buswell group would avoid adding a line to the operating budget or increasing the tax rate.

Separately, staff recommended a $10,000 transfer from a field‑maintenance line to the cemeteries account to address apparent shortfalls; the council approved that transfer. The council also discussed the timing for any post‑deliberative session special meeting to reconsider recommendations should warrant articles be amended on the floor; staff said the council could convene a posted special meeting after the deliberative session to update recommendations before ballots are printed.