Select Board Authorizes Emergency Dredging Push After Grant Denial

BERNARDSTON -- June 26, 2024, Bernardston Select Board authorized an emergency Conservation Commission dredging request for Kushman Park after a $14 million statewide grant pool yielded only $4 million in awards and left the town's application unfunded. The board also heard from Council on Aging Director Jennifer Reynolds, who reported securing four grants totaling $28,600, including a $15,000 dementia-friendly business education initiative and $10,000 in wellness programming, none carrying a town match requirement. Finance Committee Chair Jane Leno walked the board through a detailed year-end accounting review flagging a possible $8,000 snow-and-ice deficit, a $66,000 USDA grant pending reimbursement documentation, and multiple posting errors requiring follow-up with accounting firm Markham before the July 15 fiscal year-end close. The board also approved the appointment of Patricia Burn as backup COA van driver at $17.50 per hour, Jennifer Moore as Planning Board clerk at $16.50 per hour, and one-time bonuses totaling $1,720 for the interim librarian and two library assistants funded within the existing library payroll budget.