Blandford Select Board Approves Library Construction Contracts with DRA and Skanska

BLANDFORD — February 9, 2026 — Blandford Select Board locks in library construction contracts and debates Eversource response at February 9 meeting. The board voted unanimously to approve contract amendments with architect DRA and construction manager Skanska for the library's upcoming construction phase, with all costs covered by a Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners grant; the town came in roughly $45,000 under budget during the completed planning and design phase, leaving more than $40,000 in town match funds unused. Select Board Chair Jackie reported that a public Eversource study session raised unresolved questions about noise, transformer oil safety, and the identity of energy vendors siting operations near town, telling the board "they weren't even evasive — they were not answers." The board agreed to compile outstanding questions for submission to Eversource by February 18 and to coordinate a regional legislative letter with neighboring Beckett. The board also approved an updated inclement weather policy placing sole closure authority with the Select Board chair on second consecutive storm days, and accepted the resignation of Cherry Jelinek from the Energy and Sustainability Building Performance Standards Committee, effective immediately.