Blandford Select Board Renews Highway Chief Contract, Approves Dozen Budget Transfers

BLANDFORD -- June 30, 2022, Blandford Select Board wraps fiscal year with highway contract, a dozen budget transfers, and a new assessor appointment. The board unanimously approved a year-two contract for Highway Superintendent Dave Waldron at $65,000 annually, covering July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, following an annual performance review led by Chair Jacqueline Coury that rated Waldron at meeting or exceeding expectations in nearly all categories. More than ten end-of-year line-item budget transfers were approved, the largest a $20,000 shift from audit service and town records to the salt and sand account; a separate $12,607.95 was also moved from group health insurance to cover additional salt and sand costs. The board renewed contracts with Aaron Kernschef for accounting and with Mass Munichan for treasurer-collector services through June 2023, described by Coury as the firm's final year, as it works to "get you to a place where you're not paying so much." Eric McVeigh was appointed to the Board of Assessors to fill a vacancy and assist with an upcoming request for proposals process.