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Select Board urged to hire water superintendent as department faces funding gap
Summary
The Select Board heard that the Water Department interviewed three candidates for a superintendent to start by July 1 and was urged to commission a rate study after officials said retained earnings fell from over $200,000 to about $150,000 following budget balancing. Outstanding bills and grant plans were also discussed.
The Select Board was briefed on staffing and financial pressures facing the Blandford Water Department, including plans to hire a superintendent and a recommendation for a water rate study.
Water Department representative B. Curry told the board that three candidates have been interviewed for the Water Superintendent position and the department hopes to hire by July 1, 2026. Curry said officials recommended a formal rate study to ensure the department's long-term sustainability after officials reported that more than $200,000 was withdrawn from retained earnings to balance the budget, leaving roughly $150,000 available for future needs.
Curry also reported about $101,000 in outstanding water bill collections and raised a $24,000 discrepancy tied to SCADA payments and loan billing that needs clarification. The department highlighted two upcoming grants totaling about $80,000 for intake and ozone projects and described a possible $1,000,000 infrastructure package that would require a local match of $270,000.
Board members asked for further financial detail and for staff to move forward on a rate study and hiring timeline so the town can evaluate options for covering operating shortfalls and capital needs. No final budget decisions were made at this meeting.
