[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6126072,"mediaKeyId","2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194","parentId",2671183,"title","Public health update: East Brook field inspections, measles watch and intermunicipal assistance","audioSeconds",170,"startMs",3293000,"endMs",3463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194&start=3293&end=3463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194/thumbnail_3293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126072/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Public-health-update-East-Brook-field-inspections-measles-watch-and-intermunicipal-assistance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126072-5bd694d880ac0c6c3c0920d7714d2626/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170590&Signature=dT8VzkYi-u2uqNo-moiE58AL~XcYbfnZV4TkIDYI~x7drbT1ABxLn-w~z1D10OkhyzUpmdOd6G4vwW0U4g2RyF8TuVQiRHVfCvEhGGbxMg3yhEm3LxXDcqpLJyww4uDIZQunlSalfGUboRSZGls5kq688o1UOf43HtHECbfngQk3bIkfY~ygF1u39pRqfV2BlZLfq6kofIHaAhgAY4XGXwW-8wB9XcZ8C2UwjOEq2x4rMe1btOJiY6QyHkGJSerPDa58rcT1cbDTsVrCm3SIRIF6jTWSGAMSoAD95mIZ6L2voh086zp84qG5sQTDo~OsAWLaX31-Yk45-5oY9PxtQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Charlton, MA","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Jim Philbrook, the town’s health agent, reported to the Board of Health on March 11 that Eastport Field has joined the town’s public-health inspection coalition and will receive routine inspections—an outcome the state had been seeking. Philbrook said Eastport Field’s account will be added to the health department inspection schedule and that Molly (staff inspector) will take those visits.

Philbrook also said the department is still distributing COVID test kits and monitoring respiratory illness trends; while cases are trending down in some areas, schools and daycares have continued pockets of respiratory illness and the department remains watchful. Philbrook noted the state epidemiologists are tracking trends and the board will be updated if confirmed communicable cases arise.

Philbrook said the department will provide temporary assistance to neighboring Dudley, where a new health agent (Tom Purcell) is expected to be working but is out of town; Philbrook will conduct an initial set of inspections to address a few delayed items. Roberta Johnson of Dudley was mentioned as coordinating that effort.

Why it matters: joining the local coalition brings Eastport Field into routine inspection coverage; the department’s cross-jurisdictional assistance addresses service gaps and local public-health concerns.

Provenance: Department head reports and public-health items were presented near the end of the meeting during the department reports section.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Charlton: Board of Health Meeting March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Health agent Jim Philbrook reported Eastport Field joined the town coalition for inspections, staff are distributing COVID test kits, and the department will assist Dudley with inspections while its agent is temporarily unavailable.","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},6126077,"Board approves 2-year mowing contract and accepts prior meeting minutes",228,2894000,3122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194&start=2894&end=3122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194/thumbnail_2894000.jpg","/articles/6126077/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Board-approves-2-year-mowing-contract-and-accepts-prior-meeting-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126077-ec68c5e687ae8b01d0abd1e00f652a21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170590&Signature=OzDXL7~mYo1-5Nu6qCMcHfrVe5IW2mY0MmPRDfHUcayAnq7vIAQelm~PjOP6JONHWnVWIvhYbnmm-j8fPZuYydsu5c99-vGCcxLZCfykDDuvPnJ6qCPjhHU9iRNbN4TmMELHnmIZblTNa83ofN1SHQMAie4XnAQAtCLY-kGbLZl4z4h-qYuF8JSq0elLGQ-IhW7pd3YOV9K1mDnb0Lu-dPtOqq5gD7SAR-Y9e0SQc-KLOVEaefmikNv9-zi86cdJoTvvS2cUxnvBUgXtgWtsApBvsHgQlICWqM6xOufGCNcU-VJd3VaXomMq6TRn--zXaVWHEM2qzBrPzP5RgavS0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Charlton Board of Health voted on two routine items at its March 11 meeting.

The board approved a two‑year mowing contract with BCB Lawn Services of Charlton at the rate discussed in the estimate: $7,000 per mowing, with the contract covering the next four scheduled mowings (two years). A motion to procure BCB Lawn Services was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote; members present responded “Aye.” The board and staff noted the contract term aligns with prior practice of two‑year contracts and that the town’s procurement threshold allowed a direct selection rather than a full public bid for a contract of this size.

The board also moved to accept the minutes of the Feb. 11, 2025 meeting. That motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with “Aye” responses.

Why it matters: these votes settle routine maintenance and records: the mowing contract secures a local contractor for landfill and property mowing, and acceptance of minutes completes the board’s record-keeping for the prior meeting.

Provenance: The mowing contract motion and vote appear later in the old-business portion of the meeting; minutes approval occurs after the mowing item.","The board voted to award a two‑year mowing contract to BCB Lawn Services at $7,000 per mowing and approved the Feb. 11, 2025 meeting minutes; both motions carried by voiced assent during the March 11 meeting.",{"_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},6126081,"Dresser Hill Road cleanup nearing drinking-water standard, consultant says",145,125000,270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194&start=125&end=270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194/thumbnail_125000.jpg","/articles/6126081/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Dresser-Hill-Road-cleanup-nearing-drinking-water-standard-consultant-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126081-d8155f97e252cfa8668af602a1d4f359/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170590&Signature=K4RAj38uyD-aRRkYwNmnvSl~iU9i5hRGZlTFZB0exhqUyC5tDui7DPz4QcldtDOYJ4qXf~9gFmGT0CqLj6i9t9oU98~ghOhUo~mmhFlzq1qCq2UVShYWebOVzWU8yoSBsu6T2TR~VI0t97Px3b~fOq7BdJJxV3EPsiUVa~t4cHZXwI5spqQ-KS9aHNpWXrvs8mU5CjKl9srAon37jxfRylQs0KcnT7Kol5syr6SLDbMLDdN5EyYfhBetN32w8HJuhEVw9oB7kzzGmjlAvtnkYISCycKQu6K1zRM2ja5DH~onZClM-IbMq7s-tl~IKlRgrfDKr5k08VRVuckanP67AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Magnuson of CMG updated the Board of Health on March 11 about the Dresser Hill Road property where a past gasoline leak required cleanup and well monitoring. Magnuson said recent well tests are close to the applicable drinking-water standard and that natural attenuation is allowing concentrations to decline.

“We are either at the standard or just about at the drinking water standard for the last well that needs to meet it,” Magnuson said. He described a monitoring plan that samples wells once or twice a year; given the improving trend and the lower annual cost for monitoring, the consultants recommended continuing periodic testing rather than aggressive engineered treatments. Magnuson said the annual cost for monitoring on that site is a few thousand dollars versus “tens of thousands for treatments.”

The consultants said once the problematic well meets the standard for four consecutive quarters the monitoring and formal obligations on that well will end and the site will be considered closed for that well’s issues.

Why it matters: the update indicates the town’s remediation approach at Dresser Hill Road is moving toward regulatory closure without incurring the higher costs associated with active remediation at this time.

Provenance: Dresser Hill Road status was discussed early in the consultants’ updates to the board on the evening’s old-business agenda.","Consultant Gary Magnuson reported the Dresser Hill Road gas-leak remediation is trending toward meeting drinking-water standards and the town will continue annual monitoring until four quarters meet the standard.",{"_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},6126087,"Charlton Board of Health moves toward bidding cap at Flint Road landfill after DEP approvals",2717,101000,2818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194&start=101&end=2818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2671183-3b8ffeef0d26cb59aa03add6ef6c8194/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6126087/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-Board-of-Health-moves-toward-bidding-cap-at-Flint-Road-landfill-after-DEP-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126087-ba66ef9f1ead0f60c347af2c1d80a8a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170590&Signature=ZITxFBCTPjZkuaUO51r2IVJoq8fvpRxQmWirO5F2uaYZ57baxSggbL9l-y~7MpGln-I9dZgVWiYBEgoaIk9GpbdqLUOC5xC~xGmYiAwuyz-nw9UrDHGVUvLXmmOnV7LS9vV8oYLnDR4fOvgiTHpNJuKoUe73S06xrIsUboEBDHfTU2D~-MdpJ~PC412-0h8J0jlVvMrQdF3IDLgYcCKQ1mdluBzaW7UrgooB5AVNNmg7mISKL1t09KP0QdYAD4wtjfmbhNJ~hsqa6RvvFvtyt9sKU81gcxBLznYrGtki7U6o-WktV3wjilQzhIpj7exEPaFdFrQ5hS9SIxwnyquNYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Magnuson, town consultant from CMG, told the Town of Charlton Board of Health on March 11 that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted approvals that clear the way to proceed toward a capped remedy at the Flint Road landfill and to reduce sampling at some affected homes.

The board heard that DEP agreed the town may move several homes with four consecutive quarters of no PFAS detections to annual testing rather than quarterly testing. Magnuson said that MassDEP currently regulates a subset of PFAS (referred to in the discussion as “PFAS 6”), while the town’s monitoring covers 18 compounds. “DEP said the ones that have no PFAS detections at all in 4 quarters, you can stop and do them annually,” Magnuson said.

The status report submitted in February included a formal IRA modification request that asks DEP to reduce sampling frequency for households that show no detections. Magnuson said DEP approved reducing sampling to annual for homes with four quarters of non-detects; one house with sporadic detections will remain on more frequent monitoring.

Magnuson outlined the next steps and a rough timeline: finalize bid specifications, release a public bid package within about one to two months, and hope to select a contractor in summer with project mobilization in the fall. DEP would like the project completed in roughly one year, meaning mobilization, erosion control and site preparation could begin this fall, with cap construction continuing into the next spring and summer.

The board and consultants spent substantial time on logistics for importing clean fill under the permit (referred to in the meeting as “COM 97 0 1”). Magnuson said the permit allows up to 30,000 cubic yards of material to be brought in and discussed several options for accounting and crediting the town when third-party material is accepted. He described approaches such as: (1) the contractor proposing a lump-sum credit for expected import, (2) monthly or quarterly credits based on certified scale or drone-surveyed volumes, or (3) unit-price credits per approved cubic yard or ton. Magnuson said CMG and the town’s review engineer (referred to in the meeting as Bruce) will review incoming materials and approve them prior to placement.

Board members raised procurement and billing concerns based on past invoice disputes. Magnuson said draft bid specifications will be circulated to the board for review to reduce later change orders and billing disagreements. He also said the town expects to require the contractor to document quality and quantity of material (for example, certified scales and monthly submittals) and to include requirements for traffic control, contractor staging and dust suppression in the base contract.

Other logistics discussed included whether to place a construction trailer on site, temporary fencing to keep the public off the landfill during construction, and coordination with the conservation commission for permit conditions the contractor must follow. Magnuson said the conservation commission review is expected before contractor mobilization and that the town’s review engineer would provide comments for inclusion in the bid package.

Board members also discussed operational details: possible winter operations, the structural implications of rock (ledge) on the eastern slope of the landfill, water hookups and hydrant use for dust control, and truck routing and coordination with police and fire. Steve Gregoire and Steve Blanchard identified two hydrants that could be used during construction.

Magnuson said CMG and the town will aim to have bid documents ready for board review so the board can approve the procurement and be the signatory entity for the contract; Andrew (identified in the meeting as the procurement officer) is expected to sign contract documents on behalf of the town. Magnuson said the consultants will return in roughly one month or two with draft bid documents and more detail for board review.

Why it matters: the approvals and reduced sampling can lower ongoing town monitoring costs and enable the long-planned landfill cap and closure work to proceed, with construction timing, contractor selection and imported-soil accounting left to the bid process.

Provenance: Discussion on DEP approvals, sampling reductions, bid timelines, soil-import credits and logistics began when the board moved into old business on the Flint Road Landfill and continued across the meeting’s landfill agenda item.","Town consultants reported state sign-offs that reduce sampling at nearby homes, outlined a timeline to bid a landfill capping project this year, and discussed logistics for soil imports, contractor selection and abutter notification.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public health update: East Brook field inspections, measles watch and intermunicipal assistance

Board approves 2-year mowing contract and accepts prior meeting minutes

Dresser Hill Road cleanup nearing drinking-water standard, consultant says

Charlton Board of Health moves toward bidding cap at Flint Road landfill after DEP approvals