Blandford Select Board Approves Climate Advisory Committee, Reviews 34-Article Warrant

BLANDFORD -- June 2, 2025, Blandford Select Board approves a climate advisory committee and works through a 34-article town meeting warrant. Highway Superintendent Ray described escalating beaver activity flooding Curtis Hall Road and Gibbs Road, noting a beaver dam estimated at eight to ten feet tall holding back water across roughly 400 yards of private property; a licensed trapper named Gene has already removed three beavers under an emergency ten-day Board of Health permit. The board unanimously approved an ad hoc advisory committee to investigate the Massachusetts Climate Leader Community designation, with the motion language stating the committee's work "does not constitute or imply select board approval to apply for" the designation. Town Counsel Dave walked through all 34 warrant articles and proposed groupings, including combining four stabilization fund articles totaling $285,000 and five water department articles, to shorten the Annual Town Meeting. A plumbing repair at the Highway Garage, where a May 30 Board of Health inspection found fecal waste backing up through a floor drain, was deferred after members identified prevailing wage requirements and insufficient vendor documentation on two quotes totaling roughly $14,750.