Blandford Halts Water Project Work While Awaiting $600,000 State Loan Payment

BLANDFORD — December 30, 2024 — Blandford Select Board pauses water project and approves highway union contract at year-end meeting. The board, chaired by Jacqueline Coury, agreed December 30 to halt new work on the town's long-delayed water system upgrade after hearing from Water Commission representative Gordon that contractors are owed $362,552 now and up to $599,800 once two additional invoices are processed — all pending release of a state revolving loan whose reimbursement paperwork was submitted only three weeks ago. The board declined to draw from free cash or pursue an internal borrowing, saying the risk of depleting reserves before the loan arrives is too great, and directed Gordon to report back the following week. Members also unanimously ratified a new contract with United Public Service Employees Union Local 424 introducing merit-based pay for highway workers tied to quarterly performance evaluations. Town Administrator Christina separately flagged that roughly 60 resident checks sat undeposited across departments for as long as several months, and the board ordered all departments to deposit receipts within one week.