Building a more sustainable Bedford

One of Bedford's greatest assets has always been the natural environment that surrounds us.

Our forests, streams, open spaces and scenic neighborhoods are part of what makes our town such a special place to live.

Protecting those resources is not only about environmental responsibility, it is also about improving quality of life, reducing costs for taxpayers, and making smart investments that will benefit future generations. That is why sustainability is one of the Town of Bedford's top priorities.

Last year, we updated the town's Comprehensive Plan and incorporated the updated Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP establishes a roadmap to achieve net-zero municipal emissions while continuing to improve energy efficiency, modernize town operations, reduce waste and engage residents in reducing our community's environmental footprint.

Our approach is practical. Before making investments, we need good information. We have begun benchmarking energy use in town buildings using the federal Energy Star Portfolio Manager, allowing us to identify where energy is being wasted, measure our progress and make informed decisions about future improvements. We are also evaluating municipal buildings to identify energy-efficiency upgrades and pursue grant funding to help pay for those projects.

Several important improvements are already completed or underway. Both the Bedford Hills Community House and the town office building at 425 Cherry St. have been converted to fossil fuel-free heating and cooling, and work is beginning to transition the town hall and court room to cleaner, more efficient systems.

We have upgraded charging systems and acquired municipal electric vehicles with grant funding, and we are planning for the future of our municipal fleet by analyzing vehicle fuel use and determining when it makes financial and operational sense to replace older vehicles with electric models.

At the same time, we continue expanding the infrastructure residents need to make cleaner transportation choices. The town recently installed new public electric vehicle charging stations with state grant funding and partnered with the New York Power Authority to bring six fast EV chargers to Katonah. We also secured funding to install covered bicycle parking at the Katonah and Bedford Hills Metro-North stations, making it easier for residents to combine cycling with public transportation.

Sustainability extends well beyond energy. The town secured a Department of Environmental Conservation grant to launch a curbside food scrap collection pilot program and added two additional food scrap drop off locations while continuing to support our upgraded recycling center, which accepts food scraps, electronics, scrap metal, textiles and other recyclable materials. Monthly mobile shredder events and the popular Take It or Leave It Shed help residents reduce waste while giving usable items a second life.

Protecting Bedford's natural resources remains equally important. We continue preserving open space through the acquisition of Buxton Gorge and property on Reyburn Road with grant funding to support those purchases. Plans are underway to expand Buxton Gorge with additional grant funding in the coming months. We also secured funding for wildlife corridor mapping, expanded seasonal restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers, supported pollinator gardens and native plant education, and partnered with volunteers to remove invasive vines and restore meadows at the Katonah Pool.

Working alongside Bedford 2030, we are promoting clean energy and reducing plastics, and continuing the public-private partnership that has become a model for local environmental leadership. The results speak for themselves. The town's original Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2009, set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. Together, our community exceeded that goal, achieving a 44% reduction. We are now working toward an even more ambitious target of reducing emissions by 80% by 2030.

Along the way, Bedford has earned Silver certification through New York's Climate Smart Communities program—one of only a handful of municipalities statewide to achieve that highest level distinction—and has consistently ranked among New York's top Clean Energy Communities. Those achievements are more than recognition. They make Bedford more competitive for state grants that help reduce costs for local taxpayers. There is still work ahead, but our direction is clear. By protecting open space, improving energy efficiency, investing in clean transportation, reducing waste, and pursuing outside funding whenever possible, Bedford is demonstrating that environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility go hand in hand. Together, we are building a healthier, more resilient community that will serve today's residents — and generations to come.

Ellen Calves is Bedford Town Supervisor and a candidate for re-election.