Bid protest stalls Blandford library groundbreaking

Select Board · Meeting of October 26, 2026

BLANDFORD — The Blandford Select Board heard that a bid protest has delayed groundbreaking on the town's new library, while approving warrants for two new fire vehicles. The town's attorney and an owner's project manager were awaiting guidance from the state attorney general's office, expected within 24 to 48 hours, after a subcontractor challenged the library's rebid process. The library contract requires completion within 12 months of signing, with no penalty if work runs long, since crews can do interior renovation on the existing building during any delay.

The board unanimously approved a warrant covering a brush truck and pumper fire engine. Separately, the town's tax classification hearing was pushed back again, with a new target date of November 16 at 6 p.m. The highway department reported the Beach Hill bridge reconstruction is estimated at $727,000, with Gill Engineering's design phase complete and an invoice of $39,658 to be processed.

A resident identified as George told the board, "I'd like the law to be followed in terms of the preservation of the records of the cemetery commission."

In the full story:

• Minutes and Routine Business
• Battery Storage Project Withdrawn
• Tax Rate Setting Delayed Again
• Fire Truck Purchase and Warrant Approval
• Dog Complaint on Chester Road
• State Purchasing Portal and Eversource Site Visit
• Department Reports: Highway, Cemetery, Library, Water, Council on Aging
• Public Comment
• Sick Time Accrual Discrepancy
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,085 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.