The town of Bedford is pursuing an internal investigation into an August confrontation involving Concord City Councilor Jeff Foote, who directs Bedford’s public works department, and a tree work crew.
Although police dropped their investigation, the town has hired a lawyer to look into the event.
Foote, who has held his position in Bedford for more than 20 years, remains on paid leave. In Concord, he is running unopposed for re-election to his seat on the city council.
Bedford Town Manager Rick Sawyer declined to comment on this story, and Foote has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
On Aug. 13, a member of a pruning crew in Bedford reported that Foote had driven past a work site and struck a slow-stop sign one of the workers was holding. He said Foote then pulled over, exiting his town-issued vehicle and yelled at the crew for not having enough flaggers in the road.
The crew called 911, and Foote called the Bedford Police chief to report his concerns. He later returned to the area of the tree work but did not stay for an interview with the officer on the scene.
An initial investigation by Bedford Police was passed on to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to avoid a conflict of interest. The investigation was closed on Aug. 22 after Foote issued — and the workers accepted — a letter of apology.
“Please accept my sincerest apologies for my actions, behavior and language,” Foote wrote in an email intended for the flagger, adding that he’d like to deliver the message in person as well. “I was unprofessional and acted in a manner that was inconsistent with who I am as person and how I lead my life.”
Town records show Foote was notified on Aug. 19 that he would be placed on administrative leave when he returned from a conference two days later.
The town of Bedford hired an attorney to conduct an internal investigation of the incident the following week, according to emails obtained via a public records request.
Foote has never previously been disciplined by the town, according to Sawyer. He has no opponent in the November election for his city council seat representing Ward 10, which includes much of East Concord and Mountain Road.
