From the Bedford Citizen
Story by Mike Rosenberg
When the Select Board evaluated Town Manager Matt Hanson’s first-year performance several months ago, there was only one negative comment. Sometimes, the board observed, he is too nice.
The same could be said as well for the Select Board chair.
“That is something that I really pride myself on,” said Shawn Hanegan in a recent conversation. “It’s a central part of my campaign. You can’t make everybody happy, but you can make sure people are heard. I believe everyone is entitled to have their ideas considered respectfully.”
As the presiding board member, Hanegan thanks everyone who presents to the Select Board, even residents, who during public comment, are critical of the board or who present impractical ideas.
Hanegan feels it has made a difference.
“The tone of what people are saying about town government now is a lot different than it was three years ago,” he observed. “I hope my approach has helped with that.
“There was a lot of mistrust. People felt like they weren’t heard,” he continued. “I think right now it has returned to what was familiar with Bedford: much more respectful. And people can see each other’s points of view even if they don’t agree.”
And it continues as a personal priority. “Making sure everyone feels included is a continual process,” he said. “And I want to make sure we have a livable town and excellent schools within our means.”
He pointed to the reconstitution of the Fiscal Planning and Coordinating Committee a few weeks ago as a transition point in budget preparation for next fiscal year. After getting “a whole range of perspectives, we were able to make some reductions that were tolerated, so people will give us the schools and the services we need.”
Beyond the next few years, is a Proposition 2½ override vote inevitable?
“If it comes down to an override, we will have that discussion. But there are savings that can be found before we get to that point.”
He also continues to stress the priority of safety for people who use the roads. The two pedestrian fatalities on Concord Road in 2024 “were hard to take – people going about their lives were just cut down.” He looks forward to town government “paying attention to intersection improvements, making the town more walkable and cyclable.”
A planned special committee to study the Willson Park intersection will add to that focus, he said.
Another Hanegan priority is to ensure that when the new fire station opens, the current facility “is properly accounted for. I would love to see community space that can bring people together.”
He sees the proposed demolition of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars clubhouse next to Depot Park as fulfilling that objective as well by creating more park space.
Hanegan, who was elected to the Select Board in 2022 after several years on the Planning Board, said, “I didn’t think when I ran three years ago that I would end up second in seniority. But there are people around with a lot of institutional memory, and I will be relying on them.”
Only Bopha Malone, elected in 2020, has more years on the board.
Although history is important, he added, “it has to be balanced with fresh ideas.”
I am pleased to stand as a candidate in this March’s election for a second term to our town’s Select Board. Every day I appreciate the trust Bedford voters placed in me three years ago to serve on the Board.
I thoroughly enjoy serving and I hope that shows in my work. I am running again because I believe I have made a positive difference in our town and in the lives of its residents, and because I would like to continue to do so.
I am proud of the work I have done with my fellow Board members during the past three years. We worked to gain approvals to secure a new home for our fire station that was badly needed and will be worthy of the fine men and women that serve us.
After an extensive process with public input, we hired an excellent Town Manager who we’ve worked with to bring people together and find creative solutions to difficult problems.
We’ve worked to identify salary and benefit gaps with town staff so we can retain more good people working for our town.
We worked with the Historical Society to open a Bedford historical museum.
We’ve taken action to make our town more accessible and more environmentally friendly.
I’ve personally been glad to have worked with individuals and small groups who were having trouble accessing town services and making the right connections with them to get things done to solve problems they needed help with.
There are challenges to be faced in upcoming years as well. As a town, we are working to stay within budgets that have been stressed by inflation in recent years.
The two tragic pedestrian fatalities last year have highlighted that although improvements in traffic safety have been made, we still have more to do. Addressing Willson Park and other intersections is now a key Select Board priority.
I am also working to help create new community spaces at Depot Park and also in the building the Fire Station will be moving from. These spaces would enhance entertainment and gathering opportunities in our town. I want to serve another term to help address these and other challenges.
During my campaign three years ago, I promised to listen respectfully to others and work with people of various opinions on matters. I kept that promise.
I have learned much from talking with fellow residents about your ideas and have worked with many of you to make things happen in our town.
During my campaigns for Planning Board and Select Board, I have always talked of my love for Bedford. I think what makes this town great is its people, and I’ve been fortunate in this role to get to know many of you and your own personal stories.
You can find out more about me, what I’ve done, and my ideas for our town at my website at shawnforbedford.org.
I want to continue to serve you all as a Select Board member. I ask for your support at our Town Election on March 8. Thank you.
Check out my new one minute campaign video!
Here's a quick one page summary of why I'm running with links to information about my campaign. Please spread the word to your friends!
Thanks to our team of volunteers we were able to place flyers at 378 houses last weekend to get the word out about Shawn for Bedford. Gyasi Burks-Abbott, Anisha Aggarwal, Seth Cargiuolo, Chris Gittins, and 10 others all participated and enjoyed homemade moon pies from Liz Hanegan.
I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Bedford Select Board in the upcoming Town Election. I have had the privilege of serving you in different roles for the past ten years, and I am asking for your trust and support so that I can serve you in a different way as one of your Select Board members.
From a young age, I have always had an interest in the actions of the government and the role it can play in people’s lives. I have studied it, participated in it, and come to appreciate what a difference it can make. State and federal government actions drive the headlines, but town government is just as important for its residents. It is true that sometimes the government can get in the way of progress, but good government can really make a positive impact in the lives of residents.
Ten years ago, shortly after I moved to town with my wife and two daughters, I was given the opportunity to serve on the Planning Board. I have been honored to work alongside the dedicated men and women past and present that have been on the Board with me. The experience gained from my service on the Planning Board has taught me much about how Bedford’s government works, and I’m proud of the results we’ve gotten as a Board. We’ve helped to create new opportunities for people to live in our town, given residents more options with their own houses, lessened the impact of development on certain neighborhoods, and created more opportunities for desirable businesses to come to town. We’ve worked to revamp the zoning on our Great Road, putting in place design standards that will lead to attractive pedestrian and bike-friendly future developments that integrate well in our town looking ahead but also staying respectful of our town’s character. We weren’t afraid to make changes and revisit our own work when we learned new information or observed that a bylaw was not working effectively.
Along with the Planning Board, I have spent time serving on the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Community Preservation Committee, and the Housing Partnership. During my time on these boards and committees, I have been most impressed with the skill and dedication of the residents that make up our town’s government. I am thankful to all those who have given their time to make Bedford the great town it is. I have also truly enjoyed meeting others in our town via my work in town government, and have learned much from hearing your thoughts and concerns. Although experience has taught me it is impossible to make everyone satisfied with every outcome, I will always listen to others with respect and take into account your perspectives in making decisions in the best interest of Bedford and those that live here.
On the Select Board, I will apply my experience and what I’ve learned from all of you to be an effective member right away. I will also do a lot of listening. I look forward to continuing to talk with those I’ve met in town on how to best serve you as a Select Board member. I also look forward to meeting many more of you during my campaign and, if elected, during my service on the Select Board. I look forward to hearing your ideas and your stories and working with you to see how we can work to make Bedford the place we want it to be.
I want to serve you as a Select Board member. I have a passion for making government work for people and would put my heart into the position. I ask for your support at Town Caucus on January 4th and at the Town Election on March 12th.
Great day to be out delivering signs. Gray drove me around and we got our first batch of signs out. Thanks to all who agreed to host the signs, and to all who donated to make getting the signs possible. I deeply appreciate all your support. We'll make more deliveries in the future.
Please let me know if you want a sign for your yard.
