Blandford Hires Two Highway Laborers, Extends Superintendent Training Contract

BLANDFORD -- March 31, 2025, Blandford Select Board hires two highway laborers and approves a $1,150-per-week training contract for its new highway superintendent. The board voted unanimously March 31 to bring on Michael Carr of Blandford and Ryan Keech of Montgomery as highway department laborers on the recommendation of Superintendent Raymond Falta, with Carr starting April 1 and Keech on April 7. The board also extended an interim agreement with consultant Rainey Cynical at $1,150 per week through June 30 to provide transition training to Falta, funded out of the highway salary budget, but not before resident Steve challenged whether the contract terms, negotiated in executive session, should have been made public before the vote. Town Administrator Christina reported that a Weston and Samson feasibility study found it would cost roughly $18 million to bring the existing town hall up to fire-department code, effectively ending that option for a new fire station. The board also postponed an Eversource pole-hearing on North Street to April 28 after finding that abutter notification cards had never been mailed.