As 2010 approaches, the Bedford Master Plan Steering Committee is preparing the document which will outline the future of the town. To do that, though, they will need input from residents first.

At their April 23 meeting, the committee discussed the details for the public forum which will take place Saturday, May 9, at 8:30 a.m., at the Lurgio Middle School cafeteria. Representatives from VHB, the contractor working with the committee, outlined the schedule for the day’s events.

“We’re just at the beginning stages of this process,” said Ralph Willmer, senior planner with VHB. “This is a good opportunity to hear from people and what they want to see done.”

The forum will begin with a five-minute introduction by the steering committee. Residents will see a PowerPoint presentation on what a master plan is and where Bedford is in 2009. The committee will also look back at the 2000 plan and its key accomplishments.

After a brief question-andanswer period, the committee will then have a group discussion with residents about the strengths of the town, challenges and areas for opportunities. Sheets of paper will be on the walls for people to write down their ideas and committee members will have note cards for people as well.

After the group discussion, residents can look at ideas written down on the sheets of paper and put stickers on the ideas they like or dislike. VHB will also ask survey questions where residents can use a remote to indicate whether they like an idea or not.

“This is an interactive thing,” said Willmer. “I think people will really enjoy it.”

Following a 10-minute break, people will break into groups for 40 minutes to discuss different areas of the town, including the historic district, residential areas, and the Route 101 corridor. Committee members will facilitate the groups. After the breakout groups, everyone will report back, and the committee will wrap up the forum.

“Some might want preservation of open space,” said Willmer. “Some might want more stores, some might want less stores. It could be any number of different things (we talk about).”

Though the forum does not start until 8:30 a.m., the doors will be open at 8 a.m. and refreshments will be served. The forum should last until noon. The committee has also started a Web site where residents can go for information on the master plan, at www.vhb. com/bedfordmasterplan. A link is also on the town’s Web site.

The UNH phone survey, which contacted 400 residents earlier this month, is finished, but the results are still being reviewed.

“We will put the survey out there (on the Web site) once UNH is done,” said Rick Sawyer, planning director.

The master plan is scheduled to be completed and adopted by the Planning Board in the spring of 2010.