Blandford Select Board Clarifies Water Commission Has No Independent Personnel Authority

BLANDFORD — June 16, 2025 — Blandford Select Board receives legal ruling limiting Water Commission's personnel authority. Town counsel Mark Rich, appearing by video call, told the board and Water Commissioners at Monday's joint session that the elected Water Commission holds only policy-setting authority — over rates, operations, and department direction — while all hiring, firing, leave, and resignation decisions belong to the Select Board. Rich cited MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A to clarify that the commission also cannot spend grant funds, including those received for the shared water operator position, without prior Select Board authorization, noting the SCADA grant as a recent example of that process breaking down. Water Commissioner Brad acknowledged the commission had overstepped when it placed the former superintendent on unpaid leave following a verbal resignation, saying, "We're proving now that this is all wrong." The board and commissioners agreed to work toward a full-time water superintendent posting — the current part-time role at $90,000 has failed to attract qualified D3/T3 candidates — and scheduled a follow-up joint meeting for the following week. Separately, contractor Bob Watson appeared in person after driving three hours to press for payment on water work completed in November and December 2024 and acknowledged by the prior board in January; Select Board member Jackie Coury committed to personally walking the invoices through the warrant process.