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Town accountant addresses Eversource billing errors; Select Board plans Town Hall reorganization and library move
Summary
Select Board members reviewed Eversource billing errors that generated shutoff notices, approved steps to rectify payments, and discussed office-space redesign tied to the Porter Memorial Library’s temporary move; staff also flagged file-archiving procedures, inclement weather guidance, and Highway building maintenance needs.
Blandford — Town officials told the Select Board on March 2 that billing errors at the utility Eversource had led to shutoff notices after payments were posted without account numbers; the town said it has corrected the billing issue and will process outstanding bills.
Town Accountant K. Pontbriand reported the last payment on the account was Jan. 15; staff attributed recent notices to an error in the billing system that caused payments to post without proper account-number references. Pontbriand said the problem has been corrected and that impacted bills will be paid.
The board also discussed a planned temporary relocation of the Porter Memorial Library into the Planning and Conservation Room beginning May 1, 2026, with the library remaining there through November 2027 while Town Hall offices are reorganized. The board agreed to form a small committee to gather department input on space needs and to explore creating additional meeting rooms in the vacant library space.
Other operational items: Executive Assistant Joann Martin reported Archive Solutions, Inc. is processing file archiving; after state review approved records will be shredded by Valley Green Shredding. The board reviewed an inclement weather policy to clarify procedures for part-time employees and maintaining employee contact during weather events. Highway staff reported loss of heat at the Highway garage and noted fuel tanks are starting to leak; staff recommended repairs and a canopy to protect tanks.
What’s next: Town staff will correct outstanding utility bills and return with more specific plans for office reconfiguration, file-archiving timelines and Highway building repairs.
