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Councilor dispute over 'if you cannot afford to live here, you should move' remark precedes nonpublic session
Summary
During councilor comments, Councilor Sowell said she overheard another councilor suggesting people who cannot afford to live in Bedford should move; the remark prompted an exchange among councilors and the meeting moved to a nonpublic session under RSA 91‑A; the council voted unanimously to enter nonpublic.
During the councilor comments portion of the Oct. 8 meeting Councilor Sowell said she overheard another councilor say, "if you cannot afford to live here, you should move," and described that comment as inappropriate for an elected official. Sowell urged the council to be compassionate about residents who fall on hard times.
The remark prompted back‑and‑forth among councilors. One councilor who defended the earlier private conversation said they had in fact moved and that the exchange had been private; other councilors disputed whether the conversation had been private. Tensions rose during the exchange and the chair announced a motion to enter nonpublic session under RSA 91‑A, Section 2(a) (dismissal, promotion or compensation of public employees).
A motion to enter nonpublic was seconded and approved by roll call; the council voted unanimously to go into nonpublic session. No further details about the nonpublic topic were disclosed in the public meeting.
The exchange, recorded during councilor comments, underscores intra‑council disagreement about tone and approach to constituent concerns; the council chair halted further public debate and moved to the nonpublic agenda item.
