Blandford Select Board Restructures Firefighter Stipend as Warrant Article After Two Years of Inaction

BLANDFORD — April 21, 2026 — Blandford Select Board pulls firefighter stipend from FY27 budget, adds it to annual town meeting warrant. At the April 21 budget review, the board approved projected revenues of $5,925,742 against total expenditures of $5,676,663, leaving a surplus of roughly $249,000 — inside the board's $225,000-to-$320,000 target. A $20,000 firefighter volunteer stipend line, unspent for two consecutive years because Fire Chief Adam has not produced a required program plan, was removed from the fire operating budget and restructured as a standalone warrant article for the June 1 annual town meeting. Finance Director Kelly explained that paying volunteers requires W-9 enrollment, payroll tracking, and a defined program structure. The board also flagged a deepening water enterprise fund crisis: the department needs a $202,000 draw from retained earnings to close FY27 with a balance of $65.42, $17,000 in delinquent water bills are sitting uncollected because the lien process has not been applied, and the water superintendent position posted at $108,000 remains vacant. The board voted unanimously to accept March minutes and to approve three bundled payment warrants, and reached consensus to establish a new "special events" revolving fund to accept public donations for the town's 250th anniversary celebration, with a spending window through June 30, 2027.