[{"_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",6339116,"mediaKeyId","2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0","parentId",2264411,"title","Votes at a glance: Select Board approves minutes, an appointment, a resignation and a special-license request","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",761000,"endMs",838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0&start=761&end=838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0/thumbnail_761000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339116/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-approves-minutes-an-appointment-a-resignation-and-a-special-license-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339116-795322c5c5fdd6fde6b4f95197940f03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197720&Signature=npIyc6kWZxezICsH7AzKAf9EOXarIgfuqwc9srevqCmHFToQl2mZaQGrlW6XQD0Ys77K6vJcZGg82ryT~eTsxNJhoeDeEwXV-D6dJ19oMflkeocoer8gNIoWh35Hrc-40KEz376H2K5ypjilUHdMEN-aLunjcwPjI0Yga--glYKeVefArzJfq2FXp8bXpLYVJelbJ0TBX504Iw6VTIQkYrpya-dd6EfawYqxH9~uAWSImGxJMwchNlZX8AsYf1OmbR-7ISymYB6~AoeEP5ZZ0c6F~t0j6Oy~a3zwL~153z8OyW~CjPIrZL1gIQbiz3cCeAFcEHrgyngc96CRIu~l2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Charlton, MA","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Select Board recorded several routine approvals during its Feb. 11 session. The board conducted voice votes on the following items; individual roll-call votes were not specified in the meeting transcript.

- Minutes: The board approved the minutes of the Jan. 28 meeting following a motion and second. (Voice vote; outcome: approved; individual votes not specified.)

- Appointment: The board approved an appointment to the Old Home Day committee after a motion and second. (Voice vote; outcome: approved; individual votes not specified.)

- Resignation acceptance: The board accepted the resignation of Kathy (last name not specified in the transcript) from her position as activities assistant for the Council on Aging, effective June 30, 2025. The clerk was directed to accept the resignation and send a letter thanking her for her service. (Voice vote; outcome: approved; individual votes not specified.)

- Special alcoholic beverage license: The board approved a special alcoholic beverage license application submitted by Daniel Drauger for the Charlton Fire Department dinner. The application covers alcohol service for Feb. 28, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Overlook Great Room and was reviewed and approved by the police chief, building commissioner and fire department. The board approved the license with direction that delivery and leftover-alcohol handling follow the town’s policy stated at the meeting. (Voice vote; outcome: approved; individual votes not specified.)

The board also moved to adjourn at the end of the meeting. No contested votes or recorded no-votes were noted in the transcript excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Charlton: Board of Selectmen","oneSentenceSummary","At the Feb. 11 meeting the board approved minutes from Jan. 28, appointed a member to the Old Home Day committee, accepted a resignation from the Council on Aging activities assistant effective June 30, 2025, and approved a special alcoholic beverage license for the Charlton Fire Department’s dinner on Feb. 28, 2025.","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},6339121,"Fire substation general-contractor bid low at $12.6 million; contracts being executed",67,2652000,2719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0&start=2652&end=2719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0/thumbnail_2652000.jpg","/articles/6339121/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Fire-substation-general-contractor-bid-low-at-126-million-contracts-being-executed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339121-d10b4fd23a81e07852b9f08dad08cf2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197720&Signature=KmF7YyXzQ~AFNuEhTydCVDajbCYsYNDGZB9DvWF077ngQnrZJxLxU5Plm9Wt2Y~Bec~4yGcLI2doK14AP3tDwETRSum20BOhtBcrvh~ST0FHRjLz78AcyLzT8xdmX1MANT30G9XSM3ZgtIXKyc8MH2BETJgQEjl73brJJX7MMulKPDbKCPkKdrum~8D1qIaq9U9GwieF-itV8RYP92zp7LbEp17N4TplqIf2X7NsUd4DrjJbabyEsuyx13g6B5ICv9MDoKKuUeoR3kDp8Vt8fBz26x0EHpuvDzx00UPTkTJwgDn0PUdE0NrDib8K2BlKdZjbyFUSaMmh-XUyykbwnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrew, a town staff member, reported that the fire department substation committee has accepted general-contractor bids and that the lowest responsible bid was submitted by Tower Construction of (location as read in transcript).

“The total construction bid came at $12,600,000,” Andrew said, and staff told the board they are in the process of executing contracts with the selected contractor and are looking at a potential groundbreaking in about two months.

Board members described the project as a major undertaking and welcomed the lower-than-expected bid price. Staff said permitting and contract execution remain steps before construction begins; no formal vote or contract approval was completed at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Town staff also noted related economic-development work, including an updated permitting guide posted online and plans for a business expo in May developed with the Economic Development Commission.","Town staff reported the fire substation committee accepted a $12.6 million construction bid from Tower Construction; the town is preparing contracts and expects a possible groundbreaking in about two months.",{"_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},6339126,"Town staff present draft house-numbering policy to Select Board; action requested Feb. 25",233,2185000,2418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0&start=2185&end=2418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0/thumbnail_2185000.jpg","/articles/6339126/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Town-staff-present-draft-house-numbering-policy-to-Select-Board-action-requested-Feb-25","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339126-f258e15122a53a92e79208119f7218a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197720&Signature=Z2an7VLw60QcJwG-nVBzmw~aeILVp7dJpXplj4ye4lSIOsR4Rmq4f2erPoA9T2C-SWwktgFMawkNTrvwIdLlpypnjz2GIZyciibiotuhdYgKyKCI3uDjJEyefF5G~TViJ6iPd98Ag44-YdxmlTjI0mQ72t47oGROFKE2w0wG76gPXZLLDPTWutYmIzbsSs2zRFEc-72llrJrt3ppzehaplacXF1lqux9APsXDT4PqmX~HRra5yRWB1Eog8hOqjbxT5hlApOkVOJipwO44kpmfyI6Xga88s~hrQm7GnkPBJFtUi07QB52r3zaxLQu0yPuqgcePbM8Zb6x91seYI4tUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richard Meskins, a town staff member, presented a draft house-numbering policy to the Select Board and asked the board to review it ahead of a potential vote at the Feb. 25 meeting.

“The draft of the policy is being provided to you for review tonight. We're asking for the court to potentially take action to complete the policy at your meeting on February 25,” Richard Meskins said.

Meskins told members the town has used an informal addressing practice for decades and that a formal policy would clarify how numbers are assigned, which side of the street gets odd or even numbers, and how similar-sounding road names should be handled to avoid emergency-response delays. He said the assessor is required to report proper addresses to 911 annually and that failure to comply previously prevented the police department from getting a grant in an earlier year.

Meskins said the draft does not propose changing existing street names or renumbering properties now; rather, it provides a consistent process for future assignments and for use in planning, permitting and emergency response. He said the draft incorporated feedback from the highway, planning, assessing and fire departments and that staff will return on Feb. 25 if the board has suggested changes.

Select Board members praised the effort as a step toward consistency to support anticipated growth and permitting; no formal action was taken at this meeting, and Meskins invited written comments before the Feb. 25 agenda deadline.","A draft formal house-numbering policy was circulated for Select Board review; staff said the policy aims to standardize addressing and ensure compliance with an assessor requirement to report addresses to 911.",{"_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},6339131,"RACE Foundation asks Charlton for volunteers as it continues senior energy-assistance grants",1263,929000,2192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0&start=929&end=2192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0/thumbnail_929000.jpg","/articles/6339131/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/RACE-Foundation-asks-Charlton-for-volunteers-as-it-continues-senior-energy-assistance-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339131-14bb7b60327e6f2a1d057fa6522774b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197720&Signature=ZLP2gSuKk9pNlo9jsEaXK9AWfUufW~Ewd5BwnniUY53vOGZ5Idr9W9zBkGH2c96j0Si6DHS4etVD0EmN7yTjjREQgvcOYAlc4xuFKG0cEx88FMTIOafY~WOwOWnKRKbmuTBRzvhGj4Dfjh~goLhMaAZjV7n9CZgctKtJn5MbPChGH6-MS9BRBDWlxiGDlUwH6tD2wtKTEPv0nnatzXT1H0E2-VVUVBerf0W8jXOcjezJCq-ZCFpK1HUCodQnRgqk0up3QnH6l14S6H78wq7Qd8NKpJCDyqYUjYNBETQ54wBp8rBF414IDWpMmzBQ8j3AXWy9mmLsX5fVJmKwTv4~mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sabrina Webb, a board member of the RACE Foundation, presented the nonprofit’s work to the Select Board and asked the community to help expand the group’s volunteer base so it can sustain and grow energy-assistance grants for Charlton seniors.

“We serve exclusively to the town of Charlton…we assist them with their heating and their cooling expenses,” Webb said. She described the group’s mission as supporting residents age 60 and older who meet income requirements and said applications are handled anonymously by a small awards committee.

Webb said the foundation was formed in August 2009 and has processed 609 applications and awarded “over $200,000” to Charlton residents. She told the board the group currently has six members and would like to grow to about 12 active members to help revive its signature Taste of the Towns fundraiser and expand outreach.

The foundation’s grants are intended to help with both heating (October through March) and cooling (May through August), Webb said. She described the program’s flexibility: when a recipient buys a lower-cost appliance, any remaining grant funds can be applied toward utility bills. Webb also said the organization does not deny applicants who have received other forms of state or regional assistance; she said the group has recorded seven denials since its founding because of income or asset thresholds.

Webb credited American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding with keeping grants available after the pandemic and said community fundraisers, corporate partners and local events have been central to the group’s revenue. Board members and attendees asked about the group’s balance and sustainability; Webb said the foundation does not publicly disclose its current balance but indicated the organization might have enough funding to operate for one more season and that recruiting volunteers is essential for long-term viability.

Board members and residents encouraged outreach to younger volunteers and student groups. Webb provided contact information and said the foundation would accept volunteers for either the board or event-specific committees such as Taste of the Towns. There was no formal action requested or taken by the Select Board at this meeting.","The local nonprofit reported having made 609 awards totaling more than $200,000 since 2009, said ARPA funds have kept the program operating, and asked the Select Board and community for volunteers to expand outreach and restore its signature fundraiser.",{"_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},6339136,"Charlton fire chief announces pilot of in-car alert transponders for emergency vehicles",602,114000,716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0&start=114&end=716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264411-192929851ca0f9cbece898aec45ab1f0/thumbnail_114000.jpg","/articles/6339136/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-fire-chief-announces-pilot-of-in-car-alert-transponders-for-emergency-vehicles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339136-54b771e09d4847fb639f8dedc2c2e178/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197720&Signature=jiSuaiCUUSNIRBeH6OigOH3LvHT-JHQJzoI~qKFQ9QgzqEmxzhz9fethMh0ROp5ldjV7a2NaT8lBXg9clN8cHuS5Zn04e-dOFvRGKR9Cz9GikGGeITI-HJwTsTym-7r6SZDllc7lmnxjU9Fy4q-EfX28mB~EYv1yYM4bX-HtYs0xiYxNLLF8rwuCiCNfzhAoFt4h8WMjaQLHwuk1ztVrQICpU1TEJ3WS0VHim4hC6Yy6qWv-7aEZatGWyqZCGXMskMXGj0bS0I3HyHGuqg4GQwh0hWREsd3oNHmK-GirBt7CTiHNbAvj7T-pdJagCO6vd8mWA6f3--6bx~f~vbcy4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Coleman, the Charlton fire chief, told the Select Board during the open forum that the department has signed a contract to pilot an in-vehicle alert system that sends automatic notifications to drivers using navigation apps when emergency lights are activated.

“The technology…when our emergency lights are activated, it sends out a signal, an automatic signal… and motors that are using a Waze app or some other navigation app… get a notification automatically into their cars that there's an emergency vehicle operating up ahead,” Chief Coleman said.

The department purchased five transponders that, according to the chief, “are gonna go on all three of our ambulances and our two primary engines that go up on the Massachusetts [Turnpike].” The devices activate automatically when emergency lights are on, producing an on-screen alert and a brief audible tone on compatible navigation apps, the chief said.

Chief Coleman told the board the town receives reimbursements for providing services on the Massachusetts Turnpike and that the department plans to use those payments to offset the transponders’ cost. He also said the department received a DFS grant of about $13,000 for traffic-control equipment and related supplies.

Board members expressed support for the pilot and suggested the Select Board consider funding additional units in future budgets if the initial trial proves effective. One member noted the cost to outfit every town vehicle was quoted at $600 per vehicle and estimated at about $16,000 annually to cover all vehicles; the chief said the department intentionally purchased a smaller number for vehicles that routinely work on the highway.

The pilot will include monitoring how many vehicles and apps receive the alerts so the town can assess whether to expand the program, Chief Coleman said. There was no formal vote on procurement or funding during the meeting; the board discussed possible budgetary consideration later in the fiscal process.","Fire Department will pilot five transponders that broadcast when emergency lights are activated to drivers using navigation apps; town plans to use reimbursements from Massachusetts Turnpike runs and a recent grant to pay initial costs and monitor effectiveness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Select Board approves minutes, an appointment, a resignation and a special-license request

Fire substation general-contractor bid low at $12.6 million; contracts being executed

Town staff present draft house-numbering policy to Select Board; action requested Feb. 25

RACE Foundation asks Charlton for volunteers as it continues senior energy-assistance grants

Charlton fire chief announces pilot of in-car alert transponders for emergency vehicles