The Charlton Select Board convened on May 13, 2025, to address a public hearing regarding the removal of approximately 14.35 acres of land from Chapter 61B. The meeting took place at 7 PM at the Charlton Town Hall and was accessible via Zoom.

The primary agenda item involved a request from Francis A. Nero, Esquire, representing the Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church of Boston. The request aimed to remove the specified land, located off Gould Road and Cemetery Road, from Chapter 61B, which pertains to the protection of certain lands in Massachusetts.

The chair opened the public hearing by reading the notice and invited any interested parties to voice their concerns. However, no public comments were received during this time. Following the hearing, a motion was made to close the public hearing, which was seconded and unanimously approved.

The board then moved to discuss the request for removal. A member expressed gratitude to another board member, Andrew, for clarifying the procedural requirements for such a request. It was emphasized that a purchase and sale agreement must be in place before the board could vote on the removal. Concerns were raised regarding the property's public listing as "sale pending" prior to the board's decision, which was deemed inappropriate by some members. They cautioned that such actions could complicate the process if the board ultimately decided against the removal.

The discussion highlighted the importance of following proper procedures and ensuring transparency in the process. The board concluded the meeting without a final vote on the request, indicating that further deliberation would be necessary before any decisions could be made.