One notable matter involved emergency repairs needed on Old Chester Road and North Brook Road. The condition of North Brook Road had severely deteriorated due to heavy rain, leading to a washed-out culvert that threatened the integrity of the roadway. The speaker emphasized the urgency, stating that another heavy rainfall could lead to a complete road collapse. The repairs on the North Brook culvert would need to be handled in two stages, with estimated costs remaining under $50,000 to avoid the bidding requirement. The board discussed the use of Chapter 90 funds for these repairs, which would bypass the need for a bidding process but only allow for the use of pre-qualified contractors. The urgency of the situation led to an appeal for the declaration of an emergency regarding North Brook repairs to prevent further damage.

Additionally, emergency repairs on Old Chester Road were progressing, with authorization to use Chapter 90 funds eliminating the need for a bidding process. The town had made significant headway in addressing the road’s deteriorating condition. The board also discussed other maintenance issues, including line painting on major paved roads, with funds already allocated in the budget. The anticipated cost for this work was estimated to be between $17,000 and $21,000.

Financial challenges were another major topic of the meeting. Issues arose regarding a diesel spill that resulted in a $3,500 bill. The discussion focused on identifying the appropriate account to cover this expense, with uncertainty about whether it should be classified under insurance or another account. The incident was attributed to a malfunctioning pump at a station, which had been continuously discharging diesel fuel. Repairs were in progress to address this issue.

Concerns were raised about the financial dealings with United Construction and Forestry, which had sent multiple bills that initially appeared incorrect. After discussions, the issues were rectified, and a warrant for $9,217 was to be submitted for payment. The high travel costs associated with the services provided were questioned, leading to a consensus that such expenses warranted further scrutiny to avoid future overcharges.

The meeting also addressed the need for new equipment for the town. Concerns were raised about a piece of equipment sold to the town, which did not meet expected specifications. There was a suggestion to negotiate with the vendor for a buy-back and to investigate the option of sharing more suitable equipment with neighboring towns Worthington and Chesterfield. This equipment would be versatile enough for year-round use, including winter trimming of roadways.

The condition of the town’s current equipment, particularly the F350 truck, was also discussed. The truck was reported to be in poor condition, needing significant repairs on the brakes, suspension, body, and other components. The proposal to replace the truck’s existing bed with an aluminum flatbed dump body was discussed, with an estimated cost of $12,000. This upgrade would allow for a larger and more versatile sander to be used, enabling more efficient snow removal and maintenance work.

Another concern involved a property development that appeared to lack necessary permits. An unidentified party expressed frustration about the absence of a driveway permit for a site where a driveway had already been cut. It was mentioned that no building permit had been filed either. There was a consensus that a form should be established to ensure that a building permit cannot be issued without a driveway cut permit already in place.

The meeting also included preparations for an upcoming community involvement project supported by Home Depot. The project aimed to involve community members in various tasks, with supplies provided by Home Depot, including up to 500 bags of mulch. The preparation for the project included cleaning the park and working on the railing at the post office, which had become a concern. The Blandford Country Store committed to providing refreshments throughout the day, including coffee, donuts, and lunch.

In addition to these major topics, the meeting addressed ongoing issues with the accounting firm Kiner and the shared Water Services grant reporting. The board discussed the new social media policy updated by Christina, which will be reviewed and voted on in the next meeting. The conversation also touched on the need for training on the Vadar software, which the town was paying for but not adequately supported.