Blandford Ends Chester Water-Sharing Deal, Eyes October Firehouse Vote

BLANDFORD -- September 9, 2024, Blandford Select Board closes out shared water-operator grant with Chester and advances firehouse site planning toward an October town vote. The board received a joint report from the Blandford-Chester Water Commission confirming that an efficiency and regionalization grant funding the cross-town arrangement expires September 15, with both sides agreeing to let the shared-operator contract lapse without a formal vote; Blandford's commissioners cited "accounting issues and communication issues" and said the town needs to focus on its own infrastructure upgrades before considering future regional partnerships. The board also approved a $2,645.79 invoice from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission closing out a federal housing rehabilitation program that ultimately served seven Blandford homes against an original target of 12, with rising construction costs cited as the primary factor. On the firehouse project, engineers have been directed to produce full specifications and cost estimates for two candidate sites, the current firehouse-plus-adjacent-property and the salt shed location, in time for a special town meeting in October, where residents will vote on a preferred location. A volunteer-led restoration of the post office building and Bicentennial Park, anchored by a $6,500 Home Depot Foundation materials-and-labor commitment, is scheduled for September 28.