Grafton Select Board Approves $12.5 Million Regional Dispatch Bond, New Planning Director

Select Board · Meeting of May 5, 2026

Grafton Select Board approves $12.5 million regional dispatch bond and appoints new planning director at farewell meeting for two members. The board voted unanimously May 5 to authorize $12.5 million in borrowing for the Metro West Regional Emergency Communications Center, covering construction and radio infrastructure upgrades; Town Administrator Evan said approximately $11 million in state grants has already been awarded and that debt repayment is an allowable grant use, insulating Grafton taxpayers. Christian D'Amelia, formerly of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, was affirmed as the new Director of Planning and Community Development, along with four probationary firefighters and two other municipal employees.

The board also ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Grafton Municipal Employees Association covering cost-of-living adjustments of 2 percent in fiscal 2026, 2.5 percent in 2027, and 2 percent in 2028, and received a pavement management update showing the town's road quality index has risen from 76 to 81 since 2016, with $317,000 of the annual $1.6 million road stabilization draw already committed to the George Hill Road project for 15 years. The meeting was the final regular session for members Mark Alamo and Matt Oughton, who both addressed the board before adjournment.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of May 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.