Blandford Select Board Revives Firehouse Search, Eyes Second Site Option

BLANDFORD — September 15, 2025 — Blandford Select Board revives stalled firehouse project and weighs solar moratorium amid application surge. At the September 15 meeting, board members directed Town Administrator Christina to obtain a feasibility study quote from engineering firm Weston & Sampson for a second potential firehouse site on North Blandford Road, a town-owned parcel of roughly 10 acres near the cemetery, as an alternative to the previously recommended salt shed location. Weston & Sampson's 2024 pricing for the design phase ranged from $471,000 to $496,000, not including owner's project manager fees, and the remaining project account balance had not yet been confirmed by finance staff. Board member Adam rated current OPM City Point — which the board confirmed is in litigation with the town — a three out of ten, saying "we had to direct everything that happened." On solar, the board reviewed a legal opinion from town counsel warning that a new moratorium would face AG scrutiny but could survive with documented post-2020 environmental harms; the board agreed to pursue a joint meeting with Planning, Zoning, and Conservation, targeting October 6, to evaluate both a moratorium and zoning bylaw updates. The board also voted unanimously to reimburse highway employee Brian $270 for a hoisting license under the existing union contract.