NORTH HAVERHILL—Whiplash. Sweeping gains in 2018 which lifted Democrats to majorities on the Executive Council and in both chambers of the General Court vanished last week.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu won re-election; Republicans went from a 3-2 minority to a 4-1 majority on the Executive Council; and Republicans are now the majority party-pending the outcomes of several recounts—in both the House and Senate.

BRADFORD—The future looks dim for a proposed solar array on the Lower Plain.
A hearing officer has recommended that the Vermont Public Utilities Commission deny the application of Bradford Solar, LLC for a 500-kilowatt, ground-mounted system on the Lower Plain. The decision is a victory for local opponents to the project, who have argued the parcel is better suited for commercial development.

BRADFORD—Like many school districts around the region, Oxbow Unified Union School District faces staffing challenges during the COVID-19 era. But with an increase in the number of absences taken by regular teachers and staff combined with a reduced pool of substitutes to draw from, it’s likely the problems will only get worse as flu and cold season peaks.
The number of absences during the first six weeks of the school year has been “exponentially” higher than in previous years, Orange East Supervisory Union Human Resources Director Melanie Elliott told school board members during a presentation on Oct. 21.

PIERMONT—Several Piermont residents are moving forward with a study considering the privatization of Piermont Village School.
The chair of the Transition to Private School Advisory Committee briefed the Piermont Village School Board during its meeting on Oct. 20. The committee was formed last December after consultation with the school board.
The panel’s chair, Lee Robie, told school board members the committee has only managed one meeting—in August—since its formation due to the pandemic.

BRADFORD—The Bradford Selectboard approved a couple of purchases to get the town ready for winter weather at its meeting on Oct. 22.
One is an annual item. The selectboard approved the purchase of winter road salt from American Rock Salt, the lone company that supplied a quote to the town.
Bradford Highway Chief Phil Page said the price was $76 per ton, or $10 less than last year. The price is based on a quote of up to 1,400 tons, but the town only pays for the salt that it orders, which are placed periodically throughout the winter.