Independence Day celebration committee begins to RevUp

Examples of promotional materials incorporating the RevUp 250 logo. TOWN OF BEDFORD

By JEFF MORRIS

Plans for Bedford’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration Of Independence were among items discussed at the Nov. 11 Town Board meeting.

The steering committee planning the town’s upcoming celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence introduced itself and its initial plans.

The committee has adopted the name “Bedford RevUp 250” for the 2026 event. Anne Foray of Katonah, the committee’s chair, said the idea is to celebrate “how the seeds of self-governance and free will planted in the Declaration Of Independence 250 years ago have blossomed into a town vibrant with commerce, volunteerism, artistic endeavor, and civic participation.”

Foray introduced four members of the steering committee: Kristofer Delaney, a graphic designer who created the RevUp branding; Jennifer Wege of Bedford Hills, the town’s business promoter; Lisa Lancia of Katonah, the committee’s community coalition coordinator; and Tim Kuklis of Bedford, the committee’s youth engagement coordinator.

Foray also shared the committee’s mission statement: “As our nation commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we will celebrate with a town-wide effort to help foster historical awareness, and civic pride while encouraging all generations to nurture the values of democracy, participation, and shared purpose.”

Delaney described the logo that was developed as a “simple mark” that will be used in a variety of ways, with variations based on a color palette incorporating two shades of blue, cream, and two shades of red. He displayed examples of its possible use on posters, handouts, and promotional items, including tote bags, cup holders and water bottles.

Foray talked about the planned launch event, “RevUp 1776 Tavern Night” to be held Jan. 30, 2026, at Historic Hall in Bedford Village, with a tent outdoors. There will be a dim, rustic old tavern vibe inside the hall, with lanterns and battery candlesticks in the windows, barrel tables, bunting, and chalkboard menus. Colonial costumed actors portraying loyalists, patriots, and Native Americans will interact with guests, and there will be colonial folk songs, stage performances and reenactments. Food and drink is planned to include turkey legs, root vegetables, pies, cider, rum punch, and RevUp branded beer.

Those attending, said Foray, will leave with a “scroll” revealing the year’s calendar of events for the town.

Lancia said the community coalition subgroup has been reaching out to nonprofit organizations in town. “We’ve had fantastic and very robust response thus far,” she said, citing fireworks taking place at Caramoor on July 4; a traveling exhibition on the Declaration being put together by John Jay Homestead in coordination with the Bedford Historical Society and New York State Parks; a Friends of John Jay Homestead 2026 lecture series at the Bedford Playhouse; and the flora and fauna that would have existed in the area 250 years ago being featured by the Bedford Audubon Society. Lancia said all have been invited to join a coalition meeting on Nov. 18 at the Town House to discuss ways to coordinate all the events and be listed on the events scroll.

Kuklis, a social studies and civics teacher at New Rochelle High School, said he had already reached out to the local schools and found a lot of interest. He felt the best path forward was to form a youth board, and let students steer the way in how they want to celebrate. 

“I am a big believer that we are a nation of ideals, and those ideals are founded in the Declaration,” he said. “That’s something that brings us all together, and I think for young people it’s really important they understand that.” 

The board passed a resolution formally appointing the group as the town’s lead steering committee for Bedford RevUp 250 events.

Babbitt Road stop signs

The stop signs that were installed as part of a pilot program at two Babbitt Road intersections, with Glen Road and Franklin Avenue, were the subject of a public hearing.

DPW Commissioner Kevin Winn said there were comments expressing concern about cars parking along Glen Road within 20 feet of the stop sign, which is prohibited by state law, and was interfering with a bus stop. There was also a need for more police enforcement along Babbitt Road and Franklin Avenue.

“From a public hearing and change in law perspective, there really haven’t been comments that would indicate that something different should be done,” said Winn. “The feedback on the temporary changes has been positive, and would recommend that the board move forward to implement the necessary changes in law.”

The public hearing was closed and motions to add the stop signs were approved.

Police radios

Officer Andy Klein updated the board on improvements to the police department’s radio communications systems. He described all the problems that existed with the old system that was installed in 2010, the new radios and additional capabilities that the department now has, as well as planning that they are now doing to avoid falling behind in communication technology again.

Among the highlights mentioned by Klein, in addition to coverage in areas of town that were formerly dead zones, are redundancy to ensure coverage in emergencies, and the ability to integrate with regional emergency services, with calls from different departments routed directly through to Bedford police radios.

Under the new system, there are three dispatch terminals at Bedford Police headquarters instead of two; the capability to add an additional console to handle increased call volume and storm operations, as well as to add remote terminals to establish an emergency command center; and the ability to patch phone calls and different radio frequencies directly into the system.

Most of the funding for the new system was provided by $1.4 million in grants from the state. In August 2024, the board authorized an agreement with Motorola to install heavy-duty equipment and towers, with most of the radios and equipment needed having previously been authorized and installed.