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Historic district tables $5 abutter-mailing fee increase; will ask town to consider covering costs
Summary
Bedford’s Historic District Commission debated a planning-department proposal to adopt a flat $5 abutter-mailing fee and to ask the town to cover those postage costs; after public comment the commission voted to table the change pending follow-up with the town and additional information.
The Bedford Historic District Commission on June 30 discussed a planning-department request to replace the current weight- and stamp-based abutter mailing charges with a flat postage fee. Planning staff recommended a $5 flat rate for regular mail and $15 for certified notifications to simplify administration and avoid incorrect check amounts.
"We did some research on what other towns do, and several just have a flat fee," conservation planner Kathleen Ports said, explaining the proposal and noting that first-class postage is rising from roughly 78¢ to a higher rate. Chair Kelly Toap emphasized the commission did not originate the suggestion: "We're reacting to a request from the zoning and planning board," she said.
Residents who spoke at the meeting urged different outcomes. Bruce Thomas, a resident, told the commission that charging district homeowners for abutter notices is unfair and argued the town should absorb the cost: "I kinda think that's — the town should pay for it," he said. Another resident, Matt McLaughlin, said the expense, while modest for an individual stamp, can add up across multiple abutters.
Commissioners debated trade-offs between administrative simplicity and imposing additional costs on a small group of district homeowners. Lisa Muscat moved to accept the $5 rate for the coming year and ask the town to absorb future mailings; that motion was withdrawn and replaced by a motion to ask the town council to absorb the new fee. After further discussion, the commission agreed to table the matter so staff can seek additional information and (if appropriate) bring a request to the town council as part of the budget process.
The commission’s tabling motion leaves current fees unchanged while staff pursues the next steps. Commissioners emphasized that any town subsidy would need to be authorized through the town’s budget process.
The commission did not adopt a new fee at the meeting; the matter will return after staff follow-up with the planning department and town council.
