[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6337993,"mediaKeyId","2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e","parentId",2270852,"title","Fire station substation committee accepts general-contractor bids; lowest bidder named","audioSeconds",28,"startMs",2626000,"endMs",2654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e&start=2626&end=2654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e/thumbnail_2626000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6337993/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Fire-station-substation-committee-accepts-general-contractor-bids-lowest-bidder-named","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337993-40b1454c18b9b8b3d8bfbf08826b5586/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153855&Signature=JFOpNdFDI50vgBkCkl8K9KEfXQQyniXVuxxzAmPe6C0CW1PX0A7clZBWpsHsiPe-wS3qmHZF86zDdNkw-t1VnD~oRFiSOdLgK-RG6USHzsn5SmKzClsqM7C6yyItEtbHl5a6f6E4I0dDXADnN4LlFof0jOdyQP9uLbHXxwUTtZF5iiQq1BRMWDnWka-Mz76q9xoxwGh-fVBa7caVwaqsRP5UOjabwVI1kMADThQNZmPU2RgxQ5rsBoMS96FQ0LATeW7oEFQihD76zJf-R5LlFP3Ame2E8m-y4pQeJlF~EpUfjns6TGhUITmKCIUr5l8jFZiyGp62LC3PLBlSblXjBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Charlton, MA","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","CHARLTON, Mass. — The fire department substation committee reported on Feb. 11 that it accepted general-contractor bids for the town’s fire station project and identified Tower Construction of Princeton, Rhode Island, as the lowest and most advantageous bidder.

Committee members told the Board that the team is moving toward executing contracts with the selected contractor and that a ground-breaking could occur in roughly two months. The committee’s report to the Board was informational; the Board did not vote that evening on contract award language.

The committee reported a construction bid figure during the meeting. The transcript recorded the number as \"12,600,000,000,\" which is inconsistent with the context and with typical municipal fire-station projects; the committee representative subsequently characterized the number as significantly lower than earlier projections. After the meeting the town confirmed the intended figure is $12,600,000 (twelve million six hundred thousand dollars); the meeting's transcript contained an extra trio of zeros in the spoken amount. This article uses the corrected figure as confirmed by town staff.

The project remains subject to standard contract execution steps, permitting and funding processes. The committee presentation was presented as a progress update at the Feb. 11 meeting; selectmen thanked the committee for the work and celebrated the favorable bid outcome.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Charlton: Select Board Meeting February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The fire department substation committee told the Board of Selectmen it accepted general-contractor bids and named Tower Construction of Princeton, R.I., as the lowest advantageous bidder for the new station.","taxTitle","Town of Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",54464,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6337997,"RACE Foundation seeks volunteers, continues energy-assistance grants for Charlton seniors",318,888000,1206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e&start=888&end=1206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e/thumbnail_888000.jpg","/articles/6337997/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/RACE-Foundation-seeks-volunteers-continues-energy-assistance-grants-for-Charlton-seniors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337997-a1f0bac5fdb6ca5cd969300f8205e135/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153855&Signature=T5gMUswAuQ~GfPRBblgpyEBi6DtaSXTvbr6D0bdDDAqWElFGBr9-eTpF86-17OT1TRAVTnZeZGCappidAtFOy~4qBUdDtEg0PmMk2~Fsq~~jI30L0f3ZYz04CScTJZvPhcOFGouSLX9gcfzH40Zvs8yaPp65DyOj8-oSHpQwtivYfPbc4QXdLeJvDdRRMWbShB0EKGzJHCunM48~Ng7zKd1FV9NE2znviQfFPsYlY299YbIo6ZH5JFaaKsOqq1F0ohgK6H8q3BcSHKm~Xsy1Ks7ZygqqM4M8pV76d-DpBabx3yCUAL5cjN-VwBRCmZ3zmR~OfbA8wB88kYc95ja7Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLTON, Mass. — Members of the RACE Foundation told the Board of Selectmen on Feb. 11 that the nonprofit continues to award heating and cooling grants to Charlton residents age 60 and older but needs volunteers and fundraising capacity to sustain and expand the program.

\"We serve exclusively the town of Charlton,\" said Sabrina Webb, a foundation board member, explaining that RACE — the Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation — provides anonymous awards to qualifying residents and has operated since August 2009. Webb said the group has processed 609 applications and granted more than $200,000 to Charlton seniors since its founding.

Webb described typical grant amounts and seasons: cooling grants (May–August) at tiers of $250, $200 and $150, and heating grants (October–March) at $500, $400 and $300. She said the foundation typically awards higher-tier grants and that applicants must meet income and asset thresholds based on federal poverty guidelines and program-specific heating guidelines used by local assistance agencies.

The foundation keeps awards anonymous. Webb said an awards subcommittee of two to three people reviews applications and that recipients and vendors receive notice when a grant is approved; vendors receive payment directly. Webb also said the group does not disqualify applicants who receive other assistance (for example, from WCAC or similar programs).

Webb urged residents to volunteer. RACE currently has six board members, three to four of whom are active, she said, and the group hopes to grow to about 12 active members to restore the signature \"Taste of the Towns\" fundraiser and expand outreach. She told selectmen the group's funding sources include donations, event proceeds, periodic grants and ARPA dollars that helped the foundation during the pandemic; Webb said the foundation has limited reserves and has capped grant amounts to stretch funds.

Board members thanked the group and asked clarifying questions about eligibility and how vendors are paid. RACE board members left contact information for residents interested in volunteering or joining event committees.","RACE Foundation board members briefed the Board of Selectmen on local heating and cooling grant programs for Charlton residents age 60 and over, reported 609 applications and more than $200,000 awarded since 2009, and urged recruitment to rebuild volunteer capacity and revive signature fundraising events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6338002,"Charlton fire chief pilots in-vehicle alerts to warn motorists of emergency scenes",127,97000,224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e&start=97&end=224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e/thumbnail_97000.jpg","/articles/6338002/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-fire-chief-pilots-in-vehicle-alerts-to-warn-motorists-of-emergency-scenes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338002-f9f208575de80870fbfe6e106609a4b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153855&Signature=doskBML2uoXSLGkDTkQiHzgw1pMQ4evYUJP-ixBxRugn~wtcongl3cpsJfEPGmvjrdXARKRSrlcnYFBunFsHhhe6ccewGh-jpE1WxPkqC1W6AyqxJEssOCPn2Kfj1WPB5wCfBgWns~K9kOFgtDnr5RSN8sQ0SQ0pTiN6-eCD2GvJzIF40qu8AyNLZDxKoV0Yp08~RnWF1u6EyfxAfUdre6LBE89LoA-iBsgeArk6iFU7THWlzhEboKuwu9-Tz0reL55cSmlSjXeSmoFUNyBFdnGyUz0tPjOaF-MnGT7b5R7T4BuWKZUs~Vb5t8c8NviQ3-LMqAWieo31XAq1-83v-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLTON, Mass. — Fire Chief Barton told the Board of Selectmen on Feb. 11 that the department has purchased five Hoss Alert transponders to automatically broadcast warnings to motorists when emergency lights are activated.

The chief said the devices will be installed in three ambulances and the two primary engines most often dispatched to Massachusetts Turnpike and other highway incidents. \"When our emergency lights are activated, it sends out a signal… that there's an emergency vehicle operating up ahead,\" Barton said, describing alerts that appear in navigation apps such as Waze and on some vehicle displays.

The department bought five transponders for immediate deployment as a pilot rather than equipping the entire fleet. Barton said a quoted subscription cost to cover every town vehicle was about $600 per vehicle, which he estimated would total roughly $16,000 annually; that estimate was presented by the chief as a comparison figure for full-fleet coverage, not a contract the town has signed. Barton said the department will track how many devices and apps actually receive alerts during the pilot and may add units later if data show a need.

Barton said the cost of the pilot will be offset by reimbursement the department receives for providing services on the Turnpike. He also noted the town previously received a grant to cover traffic-safety equipment and that those funds will help pay for cones and absorbent materials used on highway incidents. \"We're just gonna use that money that we receive from them to offset the cost of this,\" Barton said.

Board members expressed support for the pilot. One selectman suggested considering a modest budget expansion or FinCom review to fund additional units if the pilot proves effective; the board did not take a formal vote on funding during the Feb. 11 meeting.

The chief told the board Hoss Alert has been in use about eight years and that the department has roughly 250 runs a year related to Turnpike incidents, a number he described as likely conservative. He said the system can also alert drivers who have Waze running in the background even if another app is in the foreground, and on some vehicles it produces a brief audible tone and mutes audio momentarily to draw attention to the display.

The department will return data from the pilot for future budget or policy decisions.","Fire Chief Barton told the Board of Selectmen the department has purchased five Hoss Alert transponders to broadcast automatic warnings to drivers using navigation apps and newer vehicles when emergency lights are activated; the town will pilot the system on highway-response apparatus and monitor costs and effectiveness before expanding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6337983,"Votes at a glance: Charlton selectmen approve minutes, appointments and special-event liquor license",823,32000,855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e&start=32&end=855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e/thumbnail_32000.jpg","/articles/6337983/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Charlton-selectmen-approve-minutes-appointments-and-special-event-liquor-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337983-c9e31fd23fe7ce21c48a382fb33e084d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153855&Signature=IeH6E7rFaLMcQJJoKKqQ~mWrz2B1oZ~V2aK~ZqWU34F-cft6sF57MW97U3RRgsNuKJ0wZ8BHRgGXpizw0UN8vPFxqR-PTgs0c7MVs85IfTz7O6wFwuBSa-6xEW2kMloc4oazWNNN6QUUDQpOXwfN45AsK67G10ie59PRA7siiKvHwuACzS4uqIYrIEoqak~w5M6OepVOgLh5mq0ggZG2w~G4znhpa9TlsnzuqYxTtEzS5DdKBiGX2V0MnkHQTFn5cQFvRc91wdogYLxF4Wb85TZqxU5-Gj1bK9xcCVvwJiTKAgAZJcoV5pV0xCsEpdV4e91Aj2QBGd8SqUy5zqBzvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLTON, Mass. — At its Feb. 11 meeting the Board of Selectmen recorded the following formal actions and votes.

Approval of minutes: The board approved minutes of the Jan. 28 meeting by voice vote. The chair announced the result as \"4 ayes, 1 abstained.\" (Outcome: approved.)

Appointment — Old Home Day Committee: The board approved the appointment of Robert Coleman to the Old Home Day Committee with a term expiration date of June 30, 2025. The committee had recommended the appointment; the board moved and seconded the appointment and voted in favor. (Outcome: approved.)

Council on Aging resignation accepted: The board accepted the resignation of Kathy Calant from the position of activities assistant for the Council on Aging, effective June 30, 2025, and approved sending a letter of thanks. The board moved and seconded the acceptance with regrets and voted \"Aye.\" (Outcome: resignation accepted.)

Special alcoholic beverage license: The board approved a special alcoholic beverage license submitted by Daniel Drauger for the Charlton Fire Department dinner to be held Feb. 28, 2025, at the Overlook Great Room. Per town policy, the license dates were set to allow delivery and pickup (Feb. 27–29, 2025). The application had been reviewed and approved by the police chief, building commissioner and fire department. The board moved, seconded and voted in favor. (Outcome: approved.)

No other formal votes were recorded on the published agenda items at the Feb. 11 meeting; several informational reports and presentations were provided without Board action.","At its Feb. 11 meeting the Board of Selectmen approved the Jan. 28 meeting minutes, appointed Robert Coleman to the Old Home Day Committee, accepted the resignation of a Council on Aging activities assistant effective June 30, 2025, and approved a special alcoholic beverage license for the Charlton Fire Department dinner.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6337987,"Town staff present draft street-address numbering policy ahead of Feb. 25 vote",179,2170000,2349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e&start=2170&end=2349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270852-311182bba8bc9d41c4899c2e6d36387e/thumbnail_2170000.jpg","/articles/6337987/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Town-staff-present-draft-street-address-numbering-policy-ahead-of-Feb-25-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337987-94fe96aff7ec504b046a815115604de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153855&Signature=odv-M9tmFcTwwKR25smsyI~zl-Ilbs-AiDRYQbeg1jR7n87rdpWLmx90ZGOVj961aDdrsLodGWzCm~eFqL6xGr-LhGSOAwmov0asmNLsWdHwUpVR8eP9VXhqH4CiinHH7vB3gkF7Nc5dNY4NaBGPpsbwZFFHwU24GtM0rw8g66rzNk0A9rVnNrjxU8ij8eh7IklaRZHx~S5wVVbFP6Ag~zql7Z28hAcyUZd62rZd7AVUjPjOct7d0t4YW0i-PbfApEQFJ9r9ttJF2Ej2T4Ync7dkhcbKwq-oAahS0jhqVCVRlLuGfSQtU-7UzUkp2GHGeD8JcXwnCV0nkj2Y41eKbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLTON, Mass. — Building Commissioner Kurt Meskis presented a draft street-address numbering policy to the Board of Selectmen on Feb. 11 and asked the board to review the proposal before a potential vote at the Feb. 25 meeting.

Meskis said the draft codifies longstanding local practices used to assign house numbers and addresses and ensures the town complies with assessing and 9-1-1 reporting requirements. \"We are not proposing to change anybody's street name at this time. We're not proposing to run around the town and change people's house numbers,\" Meskis said, adding the intent is a consistent front-to-back approach for new assignments and to reduce confusing sound-alike names.

He said the draft grew from work with department heads, including the highway, police and fire departments, and the assessing office. Meskis said the policy will help clarify which side of the street receives odd or even numbers, address procedures for short drives and duplicate-sounding road names, and provide a reference for planners and permitting staff.

Selectmen praised the draft as a useful step to prepare for expected growth and said the text needs only minor editorial fixes before the board reviews it for possible adoption on Feb. 25.","Building Commissioner Kurt Meskis presented a draft street-address numbering policy to the Board of Selectmen that clarifies assignment rules, reporting to 9-1-1, side-of-street conventions and procedures; the board will review the draft and may consider action at the Feb. 25 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fire station substation committee accepts general-contractor bids; lowest bidder named

RACE Foundation seeks volunteers, continues energy-assistance grants for Charlton seniors

Charlton fire chief pilots in-vehicle alerts to warn motorists of emergency scenes

Votes at a glance: Charlton selectmen approve minutes, appointments and special-event liquor license

Town staff present draft street-address numbering policy ahead of Feb. 25 vote