Town Meeting

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 23, 24, and 30, 2026
Bedford High School Auditorium (9 Mudge Way)

About Town Meeting

Bedford has an open town meeting form of government, which means that all of Bedford's registered voters are eligible to come to Town Meeting. Some towns in Massachusetts have a representative town meeting and elect their Town Meeting members. In the government structure of Bedford, registered voters attending Town Meeting are the "legislators" and are encouraged to attend and participate. Town Meeting members are vested by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Bedford's Charter with the traditional powers of the legislative branch of any level of government: the power to make laws (in this case, called By-laws) and the power to approve the expenditure of money. No money can be expended by the Town without the approval of Town Meeting. No general or zoning laws can be enacted by Bedford without the approval of Town Meeting.

Accessibility at Town Meeting

The Town of Bedford is committed to providing an inclusive Annual Town Meeting experience for residents with disabilities. Accessible features this year will include:

  • Additional accessible parking in front of the Bedford High School Auditorium
  • ADA-accessible seating at the front and back of the Bedford High School Auditorium for individuals using wheelchairs and companions, as well as those who may need vision and hearing accommodations
  • Wireless microphones to assist individuals who would like to speak but prefer to remain in their seat
  • Large print materials available upon request prior to the meeting
  • Twenty four (24) assistive listening devices are available for the first time as a pilot program. If you would like to use a device, please contact the Town Manager's Office at townmanager@bedfordma.gov in order to confirm we have a device reserved for you.

If you have questions about accessible features at Annual Town Meeting, or if you would like to discuss or suggest an accommodation not listed above, please contact the Town Manager's Office at townmanager@bedfordma.gov.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MATERIALS


2026 Annual Town Meeting Warrant as of March, 13, 2026
FY27 Budget Book as of March, 13, 2026  
2026 Annual Town Meeting Slideshow

Article 6: Community Preservation Budget - Fiscal Year 2027                                                                                     Click here to view presentation materials regarding Articles 6

Article 7 and Article 8: Capital Projects Plan                                                                                                               Click here to view presentation materials regarding Articles 7 and 8  
Click here for additional information on Articles 7 and 8

Article 21: General Bylaw Amendment - Article 56 Tax Deferral for Renovated Historic Properties                         
Click here to view presentation materials regarding Article 21

Articles 22-29: Charter & Bylaw Amendments                                                                                                           Click here to view presentation materials.

Articles 30 and 31: Zoning Bylaw and Map Amendments - Cottage Overlay District                                               Click here to view presentation materials regarding Articles 30 and 31

Articles 1 and 15: Financial Indicator Review ATM 2027 & Operating Budgets - Fiscal Year 2027                         Click here to view presentation materials regarding Articles 1 and 15

Annual Town Meeting Livestream

Please click here to watch the March 23, 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Please click here to watch the second night of Annual Town Meeting, held on March 24, 2026.

Please click here to watch the third night of Annual Town Meeting, held on March 30, 2026.

Contact Us

  1. David Powell

    Town Moderator
    TownModerator@bedfordma.gov

  2. Town Manager

    Email Town Manager's Office

    Physical Address
    10 Mudge Way
    Bedford, MA 01730

    Phone: 781-275-1111
    Fax: 781-275-6310

    Directory

Request Printed Warrant

At the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, Town Meeting voted to move to a digital-first distribution method for future Town Election and Town Meeting Warrants. Printed Warrants remain available by request.

Please complete this form to opt-in and receive future printed Election and Town Meeting Warrants by mail. Warrants will be mailed only to Bedford residential addresses and at a limit of one per household. Additional printed copies are available by request from the Town Manager's Office.

New requests must be received prior to the printing date of the warrant in order to be fulfilled prior to the date of a Town Meeting. Residents only need to complete the opt-in form once and do not need to renew for each Town Meeting or election.

If you have requested a printed warrant by mail and wish to update your information, opt-in to additional mailings, or opt-out please contact the Town Manager's Office.

Related Documents

  1. Petitioned Articles Instructions - ATM (Fillable PDF)
  2. Petitioners Article Instructions STM ( Fillable PDF)
  3. 2025 Annual Town Report
  1. What Is an Open Town Meeting?
  2. Why Do Voters Need to Attend Town Meeting?
  3. When is Town Meeting?
  4. Who can attend Town Meeting? Who can vote? Who can speak?
  5. Where can I read the rules?
  6. What is the Warrant? Why is the motion made at Town Meeting sometimes different from what is published in the Warrant?
  7. Where do I find the Warrant? What if I want a printed copy?
  8. What do I need to know about the check in process for Town Meeting?
  9. How do I submit a Petitioner's Article for the Town Warrant?
  10. What to Think About Before You Speak or Present at Town Meeting.
  11. What Bedford’s Town Meeting is Not.
  12. How can I volunteer to be on a town committee?
View All