Town Council Interview (minutes)
The Bedford Town Council interviewed Kelleigh Gleason for the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) on June 10, 2026. Participating Councilors included Greazzo, Levesque, Bator, Fahey, Strand, Soule, and Sullivan, with Town Manager Rick Sawyer present. Councilors questioned Gleason on her experience and approach to zoning. She emphasized local control and stated she would treat the ZBA as a quasi-judicial board, applying five specific criteria to individual applications without pre-judging. Gleason declined to offer opinions on specific state legislation, data centers, or development types, noting that forming public opinions could preclude her from voting on related matters later. Councilor Strand asked about controlling development. Gleason clarified that spot zoning is illegal, but the Council could change local ordinances if they wish to prevent certain developments. She suggested the Council resume meetings with legislators to address state law concerns. No votes, budget items, or appointments were made during the session. Source: https://www.bedfordnh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06102026-2973
Town Council Minutes – November 17, 2021 – page TOWN OF BEDFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES June 10, 2026 10 Meetinghouse Road ROLL CALL: The Bedford Town Council conducted an interview on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10 Meetinghouse Road. Participating were Phil Greazzo (Chair), Gail Levesque (Vice Chair) and Councilors John Bator, Laura Fahey, Michael Strand, Becky Soule, and Matt Sullivan. Also present was Town Manager Rick Sawyer. 6:15 PM Interview Kelleigh Gleason – ZBA Chairman Greazzo wanted to know why the ZBA and Ms. Gleason explained her interest in the quasi-judicial board. Councilor Soule wanted to know what she thought about the legislation that been introduced this session in Concord. Ms. Gleason stated that she generally doesn’t track pending legislation but rather focuses on it once it is passed and becomes law. She’s not a lobbyist and she’s not tracking them. Councilor Soule wanted to know her thoughts on how Bedford would be affected by the bills being introduced in Concord. Ms. Gleason stated that she was all about local control. She indicated as an attorney who handles land use case at times she is well versed in zoning laws but as she has indicated has not tracked pending legislation. Councilor Levesque wanted to know the biggest challenge Bedford will face. Ms. Gleason thought it was important to preserve the character of the Town and she’s committed to that. Councilor Levesque mentioned development changing the Town and if Ms. Gleason had any opinion on that. Ms. Gleason thought it was a public policy question. She stated the ZBA was a quasi-judicial board and as a member of that board she would need to consider each application individually and not pre-judge on how she felt about one aspect of an application or use. Councilor Levesque wanted to know what she thought was the role of the ZBA. Ms. Gleason listed and explained the five criteria that have to be met for approval and it was the role of the ZBA to apply that criteria to each individual application. Councilor Sullivan mentioned her being a lawyer and wanted to know her thoughts about data centers and developers manipulating zoning and initial reaction with full data center implementation. Ms. Gleason explained again that it would be inappropriate for her to answer that question and told the story of how she once did give an opinion on a matter and was then told by either the Town Manager or Planning Director, she couldn’t remember which, that it precluded her from ever voting on the matter having publicly pre-judged it. She indicated that it would be up to each local community to decide how they are going to handle data centers. Councilor Strand wanted to know again why Ms. Gleason was interested in joining the ZBA. Ms. Gleason stated that she was detail orientated, enjoyed being involved and the intricacies of it all. She takes it very seriously. Councilor Strand thought the ZBA’s job was to initiate compliance, not set policy. He wanted to know what the relationship should be between the Town Council, ZBA, and the State level. Ms. Gleason didn’t think the State should be dictating Town policy and supports local control. She indicated that the ZBA applies the criteria to the application and considers relevant ordinances. Councilor Strand wanted to know what else the Town Council could do to control development in the Town. Ms. Gleason mentioned again that it would be inappropriate for her to comment on any specific type of development but they can’t spot zone, Town Council Minutes – June 10, 2026 – page 2 because that’s against the law. If Bedford wants to prevent certain things then the Council could look into changing local ordinances. Ms. Gleason mentioned the Town Council used to have meetings twice a year with the legislators and that it is a great opportunity to indicate their concerns regarding state legislation. Councilor Strand mentioned the Council has ordinance making authority. Chairman Greazzo noted that there were no further questions and thanked Ms. Gleason for applying. The interview process ended at 6:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Boufford and Rick Sawyer There is no recording of this interview. The minutes were developed by notes from Ms. Boufford and memory of Mr. Sawyer.