Blandford Select Board rescinds ARPA broadband award, makes round of appointments

BLANDFORD — August 21, 2023 — Blandford Select Board rescinds a $20,550 ARPA broadband award and fills seven appointed positions. The board voted unanimously Monday to rescind a January 2023 award of $20,550.66 to the town's Municipal Light Plant after the town of Washington secured a separate grant covering the same broadband redundancy project, freeing roughly $35,000 in combined ARPA balances for potential reallocation. MLP representatives warned an unbudgeted bill of approximately $8,000 for broadband hut equipment upgrades is expected before September's end. Gateway Regional Superintendent told the board that the state's new $50 million rural school aid appropriation is "a step in the right direction, but it is certainly not" a full solution, noting Gateway's actual share remains unknown and that the district has already cut one high school art teacher. Police Chief Jennifer Gildea was appointed interim animal control officer, Jacqueline Curry was seated on the Finance Committee for a three-year term, four residents were appointed to a new Commission on Disability, and Town Administrator Christopher Dunne was named ADA Coordinator as part of the town's accessibility grant push.