Bedford election-day survey shows strongest support for east/west fire locations; council to further study costs and timeline

Councilors reviewed results from an election-day facilities survey on March 16 and agreed the feedback provides useful direction while noting limits to the sample.

Gail Levesque reported that just under 2,400 residents participated in the on-site survey at the town’s voting location. Option 1 — building separate fire locations on the east and west sides of Bedford — received the largest single tally with 839 responses. Option 3 (bundle projects phased over time) captured about a quarter of participants, and the ‘‘do nothing’’ Option 4 still drew 577 responses.

Levesque said the survey was intended as community engagement and not a binding vote: "This gave them a chance to be heard," she said, and the results indicate that "we don't want you to do nothing." Councilor Matt Sullivan cautioned that the election-day sample is a "sample within a sample," noting turnout patterns and urging more data and cost estimates before using the survey as a sole basis for a warrant article.

Councilors discussed using bonds or phased approaches to mitigate tax impacts and estimated that if the council pursued a warrant article this year, a realistically operating station or first phase could be about three years away. Members agreed to continue public outreach, refine cost estimates, and consider formation of a facilities committee to guide next steps.