Filing for the town election does not begin for another month but three town councilors have announced they are running for re-election.

At a time of economic insecurity, Normand Longval, Paul Roy Sr. and Bob Young said they are offering a measure of stability by seeking what for each of them would be their second term on the Town Council. Filing period for the town election begins Jan. 21 and ends Jan. 30.

Even though the three candidates are running separately, Roy said they wanted to make the announcement at the same time.

“We wanted the three of us to be here because Bob’s leaving for a month and we wanted the people to know they had the opportunity of maintaining the continuity of the current council, if they wished,” Roy said.

Young said he believes the council had met significant challenges this year. He praised the interaction, openness and dialogue among the council. He said if Bedford citizens are happy with what they see on the council, they should keep him in his seat.

“I would like to see the council stay intact to continue its work,” he said.

The three councilors touted other accomplishments.

Longval said the council had the road program evaluated by an independent consultant and had established a commission to promote economic development. Young said council reps were meeting regularly with their School Board counterparts and had formed a finance committee to keep tabs on budget issues.

The three candidates point out that they are running as individuals, not as a slate and that they do not agree on all the issues.

“Yes, we have our disagreements, but we do agree to disagree,” Longval said. “We are not in lockstep on various issues.” Roy and Longval were both elected in 2006. Young came on the council in 2007, serving out the remaining two years in the position vacated by Andy Egan. The decision to stand for election a second time came late for Roy.

“Up until last week I was leaning more towards not running for re-election than running,” he said. “The way everything is, the way the council works together as a team for the most part, I’ve decided I’m going to run for re-election.”

The previous year was a particularly trying one for Roy, who was catapulted into the chairmanship after Bill Van Anglen resigned both that position and his seat on the council. Left at six members, the council failed to garner the necessary five-vote approval for an appointment to fill the vacant seat, sparking a months-long controversy that spilled over into the court system.

“Last year was extremely difficult on me and my family. At the time, I was traveling a lot for work. I didn’t think I was making a difference,” Roy said. “I wouldn’t be here today saying I’m running for re-election if it wasn’t for the support of my wife and children.”

Longval said he made up his mind weeks ago. Now, with nearly three years as councilor under his belt, he said he has gained a lot of knowledge about how the town runs that would serve him well on a second term.

He said he would focus on job loss and the impact it could have on the economy. He noted that the town has set aside just $15,000 for help with fuel, rent and other assistance.

“The amount of money we have set aside is minimal for a town this size,” Longval said. “We really have to do some thinking from the worst side of things.”