Members of the Town of Charlton Board of Health spent a portion of the Feb. 11 meeting discussing PFAS testing, monitoring costs and perceived inconsistencies in enforcement between municipalities.

Board members said the town has been an early and ongoing participant in PFAS monitoring tied to the Flint Road Landfill cap and related activities; one speaker said the town has been testing approximately 44 homes (transcript reference to 44) and that costs for sampling, lab analysis and support have become substantial. Members noted media and public reports that other towns — cited in the meeting were Sterling and Dudley — have reported detections at varying levels and expressed concern about inconsistent treatment by state regulators.

Several board members said they expect to ask the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for clearer, consistent guidance and possible relief given the town’s longstanding compliance. The meeting record indicates the board will consider sending a letter to DEP and raising the issue again when town staff (including Gary Magnuson, who was not present) can join a meeting.

Under "old business" the board noted Flint Road Landfill activity is moving forward: conservation review and a survey were filed, an engineering review by Graves Engineering is budgeted, and staff reported the item remains under review. No formal action was recorded on the landfill at the Feb. 11 meeting, but board members instructed staff to continue oversight and to bring any material updates to future meetings.

Speakers also raised the broader policy concern that consumer products containing PFAS remain on the market while municipalities shoulder testing costs, and urged that the town's position be raised with state regulators.

No vote or formal directive for legal action was taken during the PFAS discussion; the board signaled it would continue to press DEP for clarifications and will revisit the matter when additional staff or the conservation agent is available.