[{"_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",6085090,"mediaKeyId","2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818","parentId",2904852,"title","Select Board recaps community events, grants and student reports","audioSeconds",1292,"startMs",52000,"endMs",1344000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818&start=52&end=1344","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818/thumbnail_52000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085090/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-recaps-community-events-grants-and-student-reports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085090-e3a89074a51952b41ec6bc62e720d071/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161165&Signature=Ux0gGNNvkfXto5EVWs7rQVsVwdXpnij01I725zfri0HpIfeBL8K-mSXuGw~E1IgN1rwLlkd-k72GNIA9E3cdcCqWBU3AH1iQScZHczpAmglF50LLHCw8Ve5cB0dxHaVrsXh42E6gSuerEje8SuB88xlh1HWrLK7BzWIb3KyyZ13Wmqos0wPy4lxS4dejKm7t22o7jpYaIFfgsW56qbmzRZjMBCEf~Rlw2luu0McvE4tA7dXNHEckDODNbIQ2xCpHHXhxleN7hCvAtRUv2ocBCvSPPrGAZ4bE40mD7eD~eb8~1Auuf~RcF8qCb~pUvloJNBfCdTZ4IIdbwVl0fDwPhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Charlton, MA","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Select Board opened the meeting with several community announcements and student reports for the record.

Town Moderator Noreen Smith is hosting a candidate forum on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. at the Charlton Public Library’s Dexter Hall; questions may be submitted in advance. The annual town election is Saturday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Heritage School, and the last day to register to vote is April 23. The annual town meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at Charlton Middle School. Charlton’s Earth Day and Earth Fest is Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. at Palm Common.

The Charlton Business Alliance (represented by Cara Holland, vice president) announced a business expo on May 8 at Bay Path High School; 10-by-10 vendor spaces for nonmembers are $50 and applications remain open. Students from local schools provided routine school updates: Shepherd Hill reported athletics and show-choir performances, Bay Path highlighted SkillsUSA state competition preparations and prom planning. Town staff announced the town received a $17,540 Community Compact IT grant for multi-factor authentication implementation.

These announcements were informational; the board did not take formal action on the events or school activities during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Charlton: Select Board Meeting April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board announced upcoming community events including a candidate forum, Earth Day/ Earth Fest, the annual town election and town takeover; noted a $17,540 Community Compact IT grant and school/college student activities and competitions.","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},6085097,"Resident urges school committee to take public position against antisemitism, threatens to oppose school budget",485,111000,596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818&start=111&end=596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6085097/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Resident-urges-school-committee-to-take-public-position-against-antisemitism-threatens-to-oppose-school-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085097-9ebf6a995ae571a7ca6915fad0a72a07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161165&Signature=JjDjM0H811kAqzAVGdKw4iBJ25YaMG0FQqD1Yw9kAmC6mouk4R2lgLRkAF5bOFr43scW1BjgOKY3NUoYSBxV4CGDlgTnckKHz7pSr2H6xSC1Tc3GWeT9s9r9-0V4zh7hHxYyUjSV8~PoPCjVXeXPqlwLlD~I0JYXB2TEo5wLbPoS3X6dsCY7vY5vz5iOPMfbXpryYJZwt1EbL5tEfyAfLTDCtW0l4rNLocJe~TJxRp8FDCA0e~edr8zGcjENdADvI8cm270iWuQ5NbS5JG4ikY5kgOze6xp1PApbIxnyvGkX3ZrkTlOAfxPT7FLsSOop5so0KF66nN7afiys2RAg8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the Select Board’s open forum on April 8, resident David Smolski urged local elected and appointed leaders to take a public position against antisemitism, bigotry and hate and said he will oppose the school budget if the school committee and superintendent remain silent.

David Smolski identified himself as a Charlton resident and noted he previously raised the issue at a school committee meeting; he said the committee made no commitment to act. Quoting Elie Wiesel, Smolski said, \"Always take sides, because neutrality helps the oppressor,\" and warned that silence \"encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.\" He told the board, \"If our school decides to stay silent and not take a position in defense of our community, our families, and our children, then I will be asking my fellow residents to vote against any budget for the school.\"

The chair declined to open a back-and-forth discussion during the Select Board meeting and the item remained a public comment for the record; no formal board action was taken during the Select Board meeting on the school committee’s position.","During open forum a Charlton resident urged the school committee and superintendent to publicly condemn antisemitism and said he would urge residents to vote against the school budget if no public statement is issued.",{"_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},6085101,"Select Board declines town's right of first refusal on Chapter 61B land removal request",119,1136000,1255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818&start=1136&end=1255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818/thumbnail_1136000.jpg","/articles/6085101/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-declines-towns-right-of-first-refusal-on-Chapter-61B-land-removal-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085101-7cb3e44969780db8dacbb760efe5391c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161165&Signature=B5RM6ZrYVona5czyNmsxGiCatC-fhRxv0kZPf3sQ7PY3zr81vvgsHUwxhBySLEB4sqbMa55OZDf4gl2vJiFebSN5J8t-49EC88QxsrvcMzzXZKP0mRlfuYj--8aKnVMIBFtSZxXEC6aGR9TNOfVrSWYwKGLNQ~vpfmgGg36yAEkn0cjWNCmd0ULBmmgYfmj7DfspO4lXZyjPT1XhYmwMhoFZ~ZVBcTKSI0X1DdaCafv8g8JN5tuPr5RuvV0p9CsYNdP3K3dQexXWQclOjvJTjDUkqe-YBb3Ae2VlRdQyCu7UgtuBNKHT7JzdlomEXahuj4HLcjVTgU-B4Sfd2FAQsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlton Select Board on April 8 held a public hearing and affirmed that the town will not exercise its right of first refusal on a Chapter 61B removal request for land shown on assessor's map 10 block C lot 2.11, located off Gould Road and Cemetery Road. The request was submitted by Francis A. Nero, Esquire, on behalf of Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Boston.

The planning board, board of assessors, conservation commission and water/sewer commission reviewed the petition and reported no objection to the town declining to exercise first-refusal rights. The public hearing record showed no written concerns submitted and no speakers at the meeting raised opposition. The Select Board voted to close the public hearing and then voted to decline to exercise the town’s right of first refusal; the votes were approved unanimously by voice vote.

The action allows the landowner’s requested removal from Chapter 61B to proceed; the board did not provide further conditions or stipulations in the public record.","After a public hearing, the Select Board voted not to exercise the town’s right of first refusal on an approximately 6-acre Chapter 61B removal requested by Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Boston.",{"_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},6085105,"Select Board approves police promotions, appoints traffic constable and accepts resignations",229,634000,863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818&start=634&end=863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818/thumbnail_634000.jpg","/articles/6085105/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-police-promotions-appoints-traffic-constable-and-accepts-resignations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085105-b06ae9a13b2e2c1568402a2623a6f312/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161165&Signature=W~iB~lr91cbUW8OWH7dguKji3r8odXCBNBu~OnSjB6G6Lk5nosVjWO9uJv~gjlKhAPPfFLj2-L6ZRbCHOjzA3qW7l2-NpMaI3jpqZ9Dkdb6gowq1rhaqG4jknDrTTuSZTlQKjTXO0wMkuOak5LcgVT9MY64VQ9aDBPjZfEXHYDeuu38RC3lqGG7td3JDG96OpBSovteOXA75jaGB55qTBle2LlJs279aKB7od7v9WMg1Nxp14j39e9PqOPuQyWvViWUOUwLFUapMFeE5u2eIz-mtewOLapCyMhxGgI9VCGRfP1gyPGgg7D5Kn4RprgaXqtAWsVZfVFyhGvO2W4ETJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlton Select Board on April 8 approved internal promotions and several personnel changes in the police department and accepted resignations from town volunteers and employees.

Police Chief Dowd recommended promoting Sergeant Anthony Gribbins to lieutenant effective July 13, 2025, ahead of the retirement of the current lieutenant. The board moved and seconded the recommendation and approved the appointment by unanimous voice vote. Chief Dowd also recommended promoting Officer Jason White to sergeant effective July 13, 2025; the board approved that appointment unanimously.

The board appointed Steve Buffoni as a traffic constable with a term expiration date of June 30, 2025; that motion passed unanimously. The board accepted the resignations of local inspector Casey Broeingame (effective April 11, 2025), Council on Aging kitchen cook Sharon Bridal (effective April 10, 2025), and Arts & Activities/Cultural Council member Nairi Veres (due to relocation). Each resignation was accepted with thanks to the departing members.

The board noted transitional staffing plans: the police chief described a phased handover so the new lieutenant and sergeant can transition before retirements and that existing staff and volunteers will cover interim duties in some town positions. All appointment and resignation motions were approved by unanimous voice votes.","The Charlton Select Board approved promotions within the police department—Sergeant Anthony Gribbins to lieutenant and Officer Jason White to sergeant—appointed a traffic constable and accepted multiple resignations from local boards and staff.",{"_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},6085110,"Select Board approves borrowing and pole relocation as Charlton fire station mobilizes",156,1437000,1593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818&start=1437&end=1593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904852-f6fd13bf630ecb3eb9f397709eee2818/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6085110/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-borrowing-and-pole-relocation-as-Charlton-fire-station-mobilizes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085110-d2647e4c4dda826ced06c3cc14c69032/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161165&Signature=eEkTvPfgSaIToNTQ3xKtOQvZxOpGKidyJxmW6-6vMQf22Zund1CAZlghlwIzGU6ppDfjpnFNhusPYyt7qJzej6P9ZDwZgOFxRFtJomLWrsJV5pye25qBmh29fcPwR990yXL79SogYmBXMMRNuoF91anskYPS6NsZuHBSauZZf9f2TUBuhvWyEFWSzwZ9wle5uGJi9ApyQbYLHCYpSEAqlAOT4HWe9at6SuLsWwk0l3EenueLcMYVu1xhTub6Ws9iBvIKEKPC2rmRnA9mHxi4yYguJft7vtAYqakAK0ssJGc9WZZZ8bTWoyHTeAK8rNkcOFpcQaLY67DHn4ZoX-7KHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlton Select Board on April 8 voted to approve borrowing steps for the town’s fire substation and a landfill cap project, add a borrowing article for a new fire engine to the annual town meeting warrant, and permit a National Grid pole relocation connected to the fire station work.

The moves clear financing and right-of-way steps the town identified as necessary as construction begins. Treasurer/Collector Virginia Porter presented the request to authorize signing notes for borrowing for the fire substation project and for a landfill-cap project; the board approved the motion without discussion by unanimous voice vote. The board also voted to reopen the annual town meeting warrant and add Article 5, a borrowing article for a fire engine; that motion likewise passed unanimously.

Town staff reported that mobilization for the new fire station has already commenced. Tower construction started, silt fencing and security fencing were installed around the site, and staff said they are coordinating with the district to reduce traffic impacts during the mobilization phase. The Select Board approved a National Grid petition to install a single pole on Oxford Road to accommodate the fire station project after a public hearing in which no abutter concerns were recorded.

All three formal actions were voice votes recorded as unanimous “Aye.” The board’s approvals enable the treasurer to complete loan paperwork and allow National Grid to proceed with the pole work tied to the station site.

Background: the annual town meeting warrant must be posted with the town clerk’s office by April 24; the board voted to add the borrowing article for the engine ahead of that deadline. Officials said the added borrowing article and the signed notes are procedural steps needed to secure financing before construction continues.

No members of the public spoke against the borrowing requests or the pole petition during the hearings. The board did not set specific financing terms in public discussion; the motions approved were to authorize the signing of notes and to add the borrowing article to the warrant.","The Charlton Select Board approved borrowing steps for the new fire substation and landfill cap, added a separate borrowing article for a fire engine to the annual warrant, and cleared a National Grid pole relocation tied to the fire station project; mobilization and initial site work have begun.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board recaps community events, grants and student reports

Resident urges school committee to take public position against antisemitism, threatens to oppose school budget

Select Board declines town's right of first refusal on Chapter 61B land removal request

Select Board approves police promotions, appoints traffic constable and accepts resignations

Select Board approves borrowing and pole relocation as Charlton fire station mobilizes