In the midst of divisive rhetoric and a welter of hateful, far right bills introduced in the New Hampshire Legislature this year, it is all too easy to overlook the positive, bipartisan efforts of a handful of public servants to advance reasonable legislation.

A prime example is a bill, co-sponsored by Bedford’s own Rep. Sue Mullen, that addresses the growing concern over PFAS contamination in Bedford and other New Hampshire communities. This bill (HB236) which recently passed the House on a voice vote, extends the statute of limitation on civil actions relative to damage caused by PFAS chemicals from a mere three years to a more equitable six years. Hopefully, it also will pass in the Senate and be signed into law by the governor.

Democrat Mullen was the only one of our Bedford representatives to sign on to this bipartisan bill. Other co-sponsors included both Republicans and Democrats from several Merrimack Valley and Seacoast towns directly impacted by PFAS contamination of drinking water. Bedford’s other six representatives, Republicans all, were notably absent as co-sponsors of this legislation that will help protect Bedford residents whose wells have been polluted by PFAS from Saint Gobain Performance Plastics.

It is reassuring to know that we have at least a few moderate state legislators, like Sue Mullen, looking out for the vital interests of their constituents.