Bedford council moves to hold public hearing on proposed vacant building registry; FY2025 single audit accepted

The Town of Bedford council directed staff to refine a draft vacant building registration ordinance and to return with answers about exemptions, insurance and financing impacts before the town schedules a final vote.

Staff presented a draft ordinance tied to the downtown action strategy adopted Jan. 6 that would require owners of properties vacant, derelict or blighted for a specified period (commonly 12 months) to register those properties. The draft in the packet includes an initial $100 registration fee; a $200 penalty for failure to register; and an additional $400 penalty for failures involving properties determined to be in a conservation or rehabilitation district or designated spot blight.

Town Attorney Michael Lochby told council the register would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act but could be proactively published. Council discussed possible exemptions for owners actively addressing problems on their properties (for example, with an active building permit or during probate proceedings) and asked staff to gather examples from other communities on how exemptions, insurance concerns, and financing impacts have been handled.

Council members also questioned whether the ordinance should be townwide or limited to specific districts or zoning classifications. Lochby said the draft is written to apply townwide but can be narrowed if council prefers. Council discussed who would determine whether a property is blighted; staff said code enforcement inspectors would perform regular inspections and follow up with property owners.

A majority of council indicated preference for holding a public hearing once the ordinance language and possible exemptions are refined. Councilman Stacy Haley moved to schedule a public hearing; the motion was seconded by Councilman Jay Eppolito and carried unanimously.

Separately, on the consent agenda council accepted the Town’s fiscal year 2025 single audit, completed by Brown Edwards & Company, LLC, as required under the Single Audit Act and OMB Uniform Guidance. The audit’s schedule of findings included a single comment noting public safety and parks expenditures exceeded the final revised budget; the report listed no instances of noncompliance, deficiencies, or material weaknesses. The motion to accept the audit was made by Vice Mayor Updike, seconded by Councilman Stacy Haley, and approved unanimously.

Council concluded the meeting with a closed session on personnel for the town manager’s annual review; no further action was taken after the closed session. The council meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m., and the next meeting is scheduled for March 3.