Blandford Water Fund Needs $91,000 in Transfers to Balance FY26 Budget

BLANDFORD — May 12, 2025 — Blandford Select Board hears water fund deficit plan and unresolved $30,000 park trust discrepancy. Finance Committee member Corbin told the board Monday that the town's water enterprise fund will require $56,000 from retained earnings and $35,000 from stabilization to cover FY26 expenses, on top of $87,554 already transferred from the general fund mid-year, of which $44,000 will be repaid in FY26. The water fund's four USDA loans carry $2.8 million in remaining principal at interest rates around 6 percent, with the first loan not retiring until 2042. Separately, resident George presented financial records showing the Winifred Arms Bicentennial Park trust fund declined from more than $53,000 in 2012 to less than $23,000 in June 2024, a gap of roughly $30,000 he said "needs to be found." The board acknowledged the concern but declined to set a timeline for investigation, saying the town treasurer and accountant are unavailable for non-urgent work. The board also approved eight annual municipal appointments, including Adam Dolby as Fire Chief, Forest Warden, and Emergency Management coordinator, and directed the water department to repair storm-related property damage at 71 Chester Road.