Bedard awarded for service
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Ron Bedard shakes hands with Ken Burstall after receiving a citation for his work on the Advisory Board from state Rep. Lew Evangelidis at the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday, May 1. JOURNAL PHOTO/JEFFREY W. BOUDREAU

Ron Bedard spent over 20 years voluntarily reviewing the ins and outs of the Westminster budget as it grew from approximately $3 million to over $16 million.

And on Tuesday night at the beginning Annual Town Meeting, he was given a standing ovation for that work.

The gymnasium full over more than 200 residents stood in appreciation of his years on the Westminster Advisory Board. Bedard retired from the board this year.

"He has been a tremendous sense of balance," said Ken Brustall, the chairman of the Advisory Board. "He brings a realistic voice of the people and he has great common sense."

"He has gone overboard so many times," Brustall said. "I know that is a lot of the clichés but it's true about Ron."

State Rep. Lew Evangelidis presented Bedard a certificate from the state House of Representatives for his service on the board. Evangelidis said it always makes him happy to award a "friend of the tax payer."

"I'm told you are one of those people who is a man of reason and a man of fairness," he said. "I know you have been real pillar in this community of Westminster."

Bedard simply acknowledged the award at the end of Evangelidis' presentation.

"I appreciate Ken (Brustall)'s efforts on behalf of the whole Advisory Board," said Bedard. "I enjoyed my time of the Advisory Board."

Bedard's family, including his wife, Julie - a Forbush Memorial Library Trustee - attended the town meeting to congratulate him.