Blandford Select Board Approves Watson Park Road Resurfacing, Advances Bylaw Articles

BLANDFORD — April 27, 2026 — Blandford Select Board advances senior tax work-off program, settles office moves, and approves Watson Park Road resurfacing. The board, meeting April 27, set a July 1 target for a 60-plus tax work-off program allowing up to 10 seniors to earn up to $1,500 per tax year in property tax credits at the state minimum wage, with participants responsible for their own Medicare withholding — consistent with regional practice in surrounding towns and funded by $15,000 already budgeted. The board unanimously accepted a Planning Board 5-0 vote advancing solar overlay and VASS zoning bylaw articles to the Annual Town Meeting warrant, with Town Counsel to deliver final warrant language before May 6. Highway Superintendent Ray received consensus approval to submit a Chapter 90 project request for a mill-and-fill overlay of Watson Park Road at an estimated $61,000, with the LB Court contractor already mobilized nearby on Russell Stage Road. The board also settled a contested office relocation, directing Planning and Conservation to move into the Water Department space ahead of the Library's May 19 move-in, and reviewed water department finances showing retained earnings of roughly $150,000 after a $200,000-plus drawdown last year, with SKATE loan repayments now beginning and a line-by-line budget review with the Town Administrator directed before July 1 rate notices go out.