Maynard Select Board Hires Officer, Approves $250,000 Fiber Cybersecurity Grant

MAYNARD — June 2, 2026 — Maynard Select Board unanimously approves $250,000 fiber grant to isolate water systems from cyberattack risk. The board voted 2026-06-02 to authorize a Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant that will connect five water and sewer facilities via a dedicated fiber-optic line on utility poles, removing the town's treatment control systems from internet-accessible networks entirely; Public Works Director Justin Marco cited the recent hacking of Littleton's water district and said the $250,000 covers the full projected transition cost. The board also unanimously appointed Joshua Mordenka, a Concord Police Department veteran with more than a decade of experience, as a full-time Maynard officer beginning June 8. Developer James McDonald, appearing for a status update on the 115 Main Street promenade, committed to full completion — including crosswalk repainting and ADA ramp reconstruction at the Main-Walnut intersection, flagged by the Roadway Safety Committee as Maynard's sixth-highest crash-risk intersection — by end of summer. The board also approved a Local Initiative Program application to certify affordable units at 1 Summer Street and authorized a $25,000 engineering grant to advance conversion of Town Hall to heat pumps.