Select Board tables joint water meeting, debates interim superintendent hours and hydrant repair refund

The Blandford Select Board on June 23 tabled a planned joint session with the Water Commissioners after the commissioners did not join the meeting, and discussed two water-department items that will return for follow-up: whether to refund the department for hydrant repairs, and terms for appointing an interim water superintendent.

Chair Cara Letendre moved to table the joint meeting when the Water Commissioners were absent; Member T. Cousineau seconded and the motion carried. With the commissioners absent, the board nonetheless reviewed the questions it planned to present to them at the next meeting and deferred formal action.

Member J. Coury proposed structuring the interim position as 19 hours per week paid at a superintendent rate and 21 hours paid at the current water laborer rate of $25.81. Coury suggested paying the superintendent-rate hours at $40 per hour for those superintendent duties. Town Administrator Cristina Ferrera told the board the Water Department budget would not support 40 full superintendent hours and that moving the position to full-time would likely require a town vote because of the budgetary impact. The board agreed to discuss Coury’s proposal, the hydrant repair reimbursement question and the pay structure with the Water Commissioners and to consult Town Counsel before any final appointment.

No final motion or vote on the superintendent appointment or the hydrant repair refund was recorded; both items were left for further consideration with the Water Commissioners and legal counsel.