Blandford Select Board deadlocks on highway goals, drops mail-in ballots

BLANDFORD — April 17, 2025 — Blandford Select Board drops mail-in ballots for June election and deadlocks on highway goals. The two-member board voted unanimously April 17 to forgo mailing applications to all 1,007 registered voters ahead of the June 14 local election, with Town Clerk Doris citing roughly $785 in postage costs and a recent local-election turnout of fewer than 135 voters; residents needing to vote absentee must contact the clerk's office directly. The board split 1-1 on approving a four-page highway superintendent goals document required under a recently signed union contract, with member TJ arguing the document was "micromanaging" a new hire and Chair DJ countering that the goals were contractually obligatory and partly developed by the superintendent himself. Town Administrator Christina warned that without approved goals, merit raises for highway laborers cannot be granted under the contract. The board unanimously approved replacing one monthly Select Board meeting with a departmental roundtable, covering departments including highway, fire, police, water, library, and assessors.