Blandford Select Board approves $5,151 ARPA-funded Town Hall fire suppression repair

BLANDFORD — October 7, 2024 — Blandford Select Board approves $5,151 ARPA repair for Town Hall fire suppression system. The board unanimously backed the expenditure at its October 7 meeting after Town Administrator Christina Davis confirmed that Encore Fire Protection's proposal would resolve ongoing issues with the system without conflicting with a separate planned generator project. The board also wrestled with a $6,940 Beerman Services invoice for repairs to the municipal fuel tank — used by highway, water, fire, police, and cemetery departments — that had no designated budget account; members agreed to refer the matter to the Finance Committee, noting the reserve fund cannot be accessed until free cash is certified in December. Highway Superintendent Rainey reported that asphalt costs have risen from $52 to $130 per ton, pushing a full reconstruction of Cobble Mountain Road out four to five years. An unapproved fence installed at the highway department without board authorization drew sharp criticism from all three members, who said the matter must be resolved with the individual responsible.