BEDFORD — Mayor Sam Craig emphasized proactive planning, infrastructure improvements, and community investment during his 2026 State of the City address, reflecting on accomplishments from 2025 while outlining priorities for the year ahead.
Craig opened his remarks by underscoring the city’s forward-looking approach.
“Whenever we look back at this,” he said, referring to reviewing 2025 accomplishments, “and whenever we get to the point to when we are looking at the future, one thing that is a priority as mayor and for the city is that when we talk about a lot of our projects and things that we are doing, is that we are being proactive. It is much better to be proactive than reactive.”
Among the highlights, Craig pointed to the success of the city’s TASC bus system, which provided nearly 29,000 rides in 2025, traveled close to 75,000 miles, and completed more than 25,000 trips. The free, call-ahead service averaged roughly 100 trips per workday.
“We are very proud to offer this service to our citizens,” Craig said, noting that staff training improvements and software upgrades are expected to make the system even more efficient.
Craig also detailed progress within the street department, including participation in the state’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program. The funding helped resurface about 3.5 miles of roadway and install approximately 1,250 feet of new concrete sidewalks. An additional sidewalk replacement program accounted for more than 1,400 feet of updated walkways.
The department also added new plowing and mowing equipment, responded to 215 animal-control calls, and launched a trap-neuter-return program to address the city’s feral cat population.
Craig highlighted the completion of a new roundabout at John Williams Boulevard and Beech Street, describing it as a significant safety improvement.
“I would normally not go that way … because it was a hazard to pull onto John Williams Boulevard,” he said.
Economic development was another focal point, with Craig citing new and expanding businesses, including Rookies, Culver’s, an expansion at CAP, Inc., and the planned arrival of a Wawa convenience store.
“What is really nice about some of these things is that these are our local people investing in our community to make it better,” he said.
City facility upgrades were also addressed, including renovations to the former police station that will house new city council chambers, as well as improvements to the Bedford Fire Department’s kitchen, HVAC system, parking lot, and drainage. Craig also pointed to ongoing programming and updates through the Parks and Recreation Department, including enhancements at Otis Park.
Public safety updates showed continued demand for services. The Bedford Police Department handled more than 14,000 calls for service and reported 750 accidents in 2025. A new police garage now houses specialized SWAT vehicles and allows for on-site maintenance, improving readiness.
Craig said emergency response coordination has also evolved, with certain medical calls now routed to the fire department due to ambulance shortages.
“This has played a vital, vital role in our community … for public safety, which they desperately needed at times with the ambulance shortage,” he said.
The fire department also added an F-550 rescue truck for extrications and other responses where a full engine is not necessary. Fire personnel conducted outreach in 76 classrooms and distributed 180 smoke detectors to kindergarten students in city schools.
City employees across departments also completed CPR, dementia-friendly, and general safety training.
Looking ahead, Craig outlined several upcoming initiatives, including efforts to expand housing availability, updates to Otis Park Golf Course, and plans to pursue a new location and facility for the Northside Fire Station. The city is also preparing to replace radio communication systems at all three fire stations and has ordered a new ladder truck.
The street department is expected to receive two new plow trucks and a grapple truck designed to handle bulky waste collection.
Craig closed by crediting the city’s collective efforts.
“All of this could not be accomplished without the help of the City Council, RDC, the Board of Works, and everyone at the City of Bedford,” he said. “We have an outstanding group of individuals.”
He also thanked residents for their continued support.
“I want to thank our citizens for their ongoing engagement and their support, because that is what we are there for: to make the City of Bedford the best place it can be.”
