Blandford Select Board Signals Possible Rebid on Stalled Fire Station Project Manager

BLANDFORD — October 27, 2025 — Blandford Select Board advances capital plan overhaul and eyes new fire station project manager. At the October 27 meeting, the board unanimously approved a Special Town Meeting warrant for November 17 containing six articles, including a $14,750 reserve transfer for a Highway Department bathroom project, and voted to authorize seasonal plowing of Maple Lane and Beagle Club Road. The bulk of the session was a cross-departmental capital planning review that exposed a stalled fire and highway facility project — the existing owner's project manager has been unresponsive and never produced a project plan — with the board agreeing to place rebidding the OPM contract on the November 3 agenda. Fire Chief Adam, attending by Zoom, estimated Engine Number 1 replacement at $600,000 to $650,000, saying "I don't think what we've done so far has worked, so I'm fine switching," and the board discussed creating a stabilization account for the engine purchase. Water department concerns included a DEP consent order requiring ozone system restoration estimated at $300,000, and a cracking water main on Russell Sage Road described as a million-dollar replacement that has been deferred for years.