[{"_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",6127264,"mediaKeyId","2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d","parentId",2663960,"title","Charlton senior center director seeks more hours for front‑desk help and presses feasibility study for new facility","audioSeconds",1777,"startMs",2276000,"endMs",4053000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d&start=2276&end=4053","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d/thumbnail_2276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127264/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-senior-center-director-seeks-more-hours-for-frontdesk-help-and-presses-feasibility-study-for-new-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127264-3591c55810a923af374ab366fbe26e17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154784&Signature=alcMNV6UTswFb3XibjRfB59emK3ydsKi3edPTWkuC5Af0mZNlVyjBsgxcPDqzr7QHYmggsQ5SMLGkg9bP4-qwJE0vKq-En8rJmZAZiyjT9O34eRW9r~He8z5UlzVE9wpqdWtyudDVoFUCtdTYqNRNZHjLfYHJWcgwUxKdH-IrvvUhEubYVrfbCW7sGqxTaM4PGJyeg~y93y-YcooVGOSC8T-d307GQRMHSfclehX~MgoPqNTPW7HLjM5gj~kg9QXG6l7JTAQo2utAKeIx4OFbTdfvfUnxd4o4aGv-JyPAhvJrFgUjD1Ay5RjG2CuzMny3J7N48WVTIBrsA1lqJivlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Charlton, MA","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Michelle Drum, director of the Town of Charlton Council on Aging (COA) Senior Center, requested an expanded front‑desk position and described changing meal arrangements and a potential new senior center site at the March 26 budget hearing.

Drum asked the Select Board to modify the existing activities assistant (15 hours/week) into a 24–28 hour administrative assistant position, with a proposed hourly rate (24–28 hours at $22.06/hr in the draft budget) to make the job more attractive and easier to fill. Drum said the activities position is now vacant and the senior center faces significant daily foot traffic: average daily attendance rose from 53 in 2023 to 69 in 2024 and to about 79 so far in 2025. She said the center serves about 4,100 residents age 60 and older in Charlton, with roughly 237 people turning 60 this year.

Drum described duties such as client registration, durable medical equipment loan coordination, data entry and general front‑office management. She told the board the position has been historically difficult to fill at lower wages and that HR recommended the higher pay to reflect a mix of activities and administrative responsibilities. Board members noted that increasing weekly hours above 20 triggers benefits, and asked whether the town could instead fund a part‑time (under‑20‑hour) position to avoid fringe costs; Drum said the higher hours are intended to meet current workload.

Meals at the senior center were a major topic. Drum said the center had offered in‑house meals previously but the longtime cook retired and became ill, and the town moved to a mix of in‑house and Tri‑Valley Elder Services meals. Drum said seniors’ responses are mixed: some prefer the Overlook (in‑house) meals and would pay $7, others prefer Tri‑Valley’s lower‑cost option (suggested $3 donation) and some seniors report Tri‑Valley’s meals have improved under new management. Drum said she is conducting a food survey of participants to guide whether the town should fund overlooked meals going forward; the FY26 draft includes $65,000 for Overlook meals as a placeholder.

Drum also described the Center Feasibility Committee’s work on 9 Trolley Crossing, the former St. Vincent’s Medical Center. She said the building is younger (under five years old), has abundant parking and a large interior pod layout that might suit a senior center; however, the right side of the building would require kitchen installation and removal of some shear walls to create a large dining/gathering space. The committee asked for an engineering/feasibility study but Drum recommended tabling a $50,000 engineering request pending further negotiation with the building owner, which may have a short‑term tenant interested in a three‑year lease.

Drum also listed other operational items: outreach coordination, durable medical equipment lending (high turnover of wheelchairs), My Senior Center database fees and an Elder Bus service that WRTA has covered for the past two years (487 rides to the senior center last year). She said she has a small annual state grant (~$6,000) and uses modest program fees (e.g., $5 yoga classes) and donations to offset costs.

Board members asked for follow‑up on temporary volunteer help, outreach partnership with health‑department outreach staff, the Elder Bus funding outlook and whether shifting back to Tri‑Valley meals could free money to fund staff. Drum said she is exploring volunteers and interim help and will finish the food survey before making a larger request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Charlton: Finance Committee Meeting March 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Michelle Drum, director of the Town of Charlton Council on Aging Senior Center, requested converting a 15‑hour activities assistant to a 24–28‑hour administrative assistant and described meal options and a possible new center site at 9 Trolley Crossing.","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},6127269,"Cemetery and facilities director asks for modest maintenance funding, presses for permanent facilities",582,1062000,1644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d&start=1062&end=1644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d/thumbnail_1062000.jpg","/articles/6127269/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Cemetery-and-facilities-director-asks-for-modest-maintenance-funding-presses-for-permanent-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127269-601038fbbb6941005c14fe9b7e218533/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154784&Signature=iWIjQnkoYKazC-HHUAspEmhOlmlFHz9OwBzTY7bkcSqGC812LkosEgLLfqOlLa~aAO0vxLspjV1rjYBDmYTVs5kQxdUKGQHsLBCJRGf1EAm-ddIdh2wJqDDq4blGY~ygBUmWvwDDeec7CKXyG5vnOlelFc~JEXB1GtlclGrMsTz4E4cyYUxwmcZbH1o~FPWChZkAQBcfiqToWWU~cK0zqfcLo9IAAFr4UAjBkJYYbnGcMCLWi1e9H-iTRSExgH1TeJNruhziGHTv8JVjNEO2guTUI~VjTTGpMChReiUJVo2pp214iHAUE~gL3rjfpRd-wXMEJXXZOBKRVPJFuqyVRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","James Burlingame, the town’s cemetery and facilities director, presented a level-funded FY26 operating budget and a five‑year capital plan at the Select Board’s March 26 budget hearing.

Burlingame said salaries are level‑funded under the Select Board’s directive and that overtime for after‑hours burials is covered by a revolving fund sourced from additional burial fees. He noted the department purchased a cemetery tent last year to support graveside services when families opt to forgo funeral directors, and the department charges a $100 fee for services where no funeral director is present to offset labor costs.

Capital requests focus on pavement work inside several cemeteries and a plan to replace aging small equipment. Burlingame estimated repaving Westridge Cemetery roads at roughly $34,000 (prevailing wage work), Union Cemetery roads at about $24,000 and Northside Cemetery at $22,000. He characterized these as order‑of‑magnitude estimates based on measurements and prior per‑ton pricing from DPW, and said prevailing wage rules require higher contractor costs.

Burlingame also proposed replacement of a 2012 John Deere utility loader (estimate $39,000) and a 2017 1‑ton pickup with plow (estimate $70,000), noting historic purchases were substantially less and that equipment price escalation is likely.

On facilities, Burlingame recommended the town consider the soon‑to‑be‑vacated old Fire Station 2 building as a consolidated facilities and cemetery equipment space because of its central location and utilities. He said the building is owned by the town and, while not in great shape, is dry and could be made serviceable with siding, roof and door repairs. Board members noted its proximity to the main cemetery and that the space may be large enough for cemetery storage and light equipment.

Burlingame also raised long‑term capital needs for municipal buildings, saying the south wing roof of the town hall is near the end of its life and listing a placeholder estimate of $150,000 for a roof and potential slate replacement; he also flagged deteriorating windows and interior carpet replacement as coming needs.

The presentation included historical context about Union Cemetery — a former private cemetery petitioned to the town in the 1960s after trustees died and records were lost — to explain low current activity and longer times between paving cycles.

Burlingame agreed to provide the Select Board with his capital plan copies and to work with DPW staff on timing and coordination.","Cemetery and facilities director James Burlingame told the Select Board the department’s operating budget is level‑funded for FY26 but flagged capital needs — paving in several town cemeteries, replacement equipment and a potential new facilities home at the old Station 2 location near the main cemetery.",{"_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},6127274,"Charlton DPW seeks modest operating increases as truck fleet nears replacement cycle",656,24000,680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d&start=24&end=680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d/thumbnail_24000.jpg","/articles/6127274/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-DPW-seeks-modest-operating-increases-as-truck-fleet-nears-replacement-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127274-775217b84e2abb5e200063946b287fae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154784&Signature=UO~06uM~-xrdjNs6YJr8FyISG5npPv3JhA2KDybE-m5umgsOLgn5G3M5Q8JJsCF6okOh664JwFUQgQmA7X56gPQMghpViN~LimsCCcNhV0j~H~rT3NsOF~WTQT~Hp1Ux1q~15WLUCAePSTal6UG4S2LuCGMIJGkzyD94z8vz08Efs5tCgY~SXoxs5mBc9P6~Yhpf7fypg4DMTLsQ9XvIf7nidQ5XJ3Ft6N~PvPbPKyXwMQKju9FvXLW45HAeKH4nAIx2A5v1SrIVcBxNUcr5DX-UigtFgfAZjvLCDjCD8IgofwBXmVL9g~6V9fiVsIaSy3wPr~6gIcRWcWVWAfQlvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Charlton Department of Public Works presented a level-funded operating budget with narrowly targeted increases and a five‑year capital plan during a March 26 budget hearing.

DPW Chief Clement said wages will remain unchanged in FY26 while the department requests a roughly 7% increase in the road and machinery (parts and labor) line to keep up with rising costs. Clement said stormwater management remains funded at the higher level adopted last year and that a separate construction drainage/stormwater account was retained to cover catch basin waste handling, including testing and landfill disposal.

The request reflects two near-term operational pressures. First, the fleet is aging: Clement reported several sand‑salt trucks from the early 2000s are at or near the end of their service lives, citing a recent sidelined truck with a failed frame and suspension. Second, lead times for new Freightliner plow/sander trucks have lengthened—from about one year before 2020 to two years or more now—prompting the DPW to propose buying two trucks this fall to avoid fleet shortfalls. “We’re trying to get two in anticipation of these struggles,” Clement said.

Clement described the town’s purchasing practice: the town approves funds in the capital budget, the vendor builds the truck, and the town pays on receipt; the quoted price would be fixed at purchase order so increases during long lead times would not change the contracted price. He also said the department pays the balance only after delivery.

On stormwater operations Clement explained the catch basin waste process: materials are sampled and tested by a contracted environmental firm, CMG, then taken to an approved landfill if cleared. He said the town had not encountered material rejected during testing. The sample testing and disposal process can be costly and are budgeted in the stormwater/construction drainage account.

Board members asked whether cistern maintenance belongs under DPW or the Fire Department budget. Clement and other staff said routine underground repairs and concrete work would likely fall to DPW, while monthly inspections and some operational checks have been handled by Fire. Clement said the department could accept cistern maintenance if the Select Board and fire chief agreed on a transfer of responsibility and an appropriate budget line.

The DPW also listed other FY26 capital priorities including a sweepers and pickups recently received, a repaired salt-shed roof, and replacement schedules for additional heavy trucks and loaders over the five‑year plan. Clement said the town keeps an equipment inventory and will provide it to board members on request.

Board members asked about parts supply chains and U.S. content for Freightliner trucks; Clement said Freightliner is an American company but some parts come from overseas.

The DPW presentation closed with the department confirming one recent resignation and active recruiting for the open position.

Looking ahead, the board will weigh the DPW capital requests alongside other departmental priorities as it assembles a balanced FY26 budget.","At a Select Board budget hearing, the Department of Public Works outlined a largely level-funded operating budget with targeted increases for parts and labor, continued stormwater funding and a five‑year capital plan that emphasizes replacement Freightliner sand‑salt trucks because of long lead times and aging frames.",{"_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},6127254,"Charlton sets testing program, prepares to borrow for landfill cap after DEP approvals",203,6997000,7200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d&start=6997&end=7200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d/thumbnail_6997000.jpg","/articles/6127254/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-sets-testing-program-prepares-to-borrow-for-landfill-cap-after-DEP-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127254-c22ce841071adbb14f34c2687bb0c704/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154784&Signature=KlZB9P0AY-yAyxPrZSg0nsCCTjB5Avp2dpMKBa7bGiZvU0hVfcA2qrBiJSwSYQAie3xdgoMW7fBiik2nW5esxK51HSnajw1ndUL9ou8jTxlBsBtlYL0brrhgagDr4UbqPqIu0RsynTHLYXsufdTDGaA7ybX1L3TKk6bDTzkxI6ZK5bAXQVSciTZD6fm332RxgcoqtTMRIcesDRkrABBS~uVr5HsPFYJPkNLdkUrI~BUQ-0wHwGo7nzgTTmDzWIm8G0HKSQpvDH7SNaiL0jUhqrMD9OFX8p6LVS-l6Y99THBDDeVOAS7tOk~rNd0xnEeHVbTm-2h97bu84xBedutrYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the budget hearing the Board of Health and town staff described an ongoing, multi‑year environmental testing program tied to the town’s former landfill and plans to cap the site.

Staff said consultant CMG has provided testing estimates for FY26 intended to cover worst‑case sampling and laboratory costs, including PFAS and other contaminants. The testing budget in the draft is precautionary; staff said some testing requirements were driven by pre‑construction work tied to a planned cap and that, in some cases, detections require follow‑up sampling and could lead to remediation obligations that carry much higher costs.

Town staff said the state environmental regulator (referred to in the hearing as S. DEP) has approved moving forward with a cap at the old landfill and the town authorized a $2 million borrowing some years ago. Procurement for the cap project is expected this year with construction staged to begin in late summer/early fall, material staging over the winter and final liner/cap installation and closeout the following year. The town will see interest and principal debt service related to the borrowing once the debt is issued; staff said interest will show in the FY26 budget after the borrowing is executed.

Board members asked for clarity about the difference between testing and remedial work. Staff explained the current CMG estimates are for sampling and laboratory analysis only (quarterly sampling of wells, PFAS and other analytes); remedial work, if required, would be a separate, potentially much larger expense. Staff said some testing frequency and scope may decline as the project reaches milestones and regulatory approvals are obtained, but that the current FY26 estimate is conservative to avoid underfunding.

The board agreed to include the testing placeholder in the FY26 plan and to proceed with the procurement and borrowing schedule once final approvals and contract documents are in place.","Town staff reported ongoing environmental testing obligations around the old landfill, driven by PFAS and other contaminants. Consultants provided high‑end testing cost projections for FY26; the town plans to proceed with a previously authorized borrowing for a landfill cap and is scheduling procurement and construction next year.",{"_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},6127259,"Select Board weighs staffing priorities as FY26 gap remains",855,4485000,5340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d&start=4485&end=5340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663960-eb1b682d4ad0b59951c742a7aca71a4d/thumbnail_4485000.jpg","/articles/6127259/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-weighs-staffing-priorities-as-FY26-gap-remains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127259-38c69d57831c69e13d1c07b8992b8079/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154784&Signature=FlW09jAiRRTew2R-1ieNPzBChwC7022q3ssqRDEhr6SwRm72zAQm~rhllH7XJay8MM9TyhRvv8Nm5k-p-JvET7y4Z~ISAp7Y5~cS9cqgFfsDkf9LkOYlIjerN9ZWITJIQjIr-bmUPO3Fc0qsujHczbn5TOoBequV0w61TN38boKvch4bEF2wnQdhb5Ybr3XzoMGXyrOjZT4L-so0rLRkz9g7pMKvWGcNq73haLKrbEvFoK46ILKb9wBPgFqPJnYxVemp3PmehsRxcHuXaIy34Pr3JXF5tLF85AUTHeOqSL2TOtsnUPWaxW0vbyqNXAdaNDwncHHFptb99pq6sbhp4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Charlton Select Board discussed competing personnel requests and priorities on March 26 as department heads presented their FY26 budgets.

Town finance staff told board members the cumulative personnel and expense requests exceed projected revenues by about $250,000. To help the board prioritize, staff circulated a proposed ranking of positions. After discussion, the board prioritized converting a part‑time Building Department administrative assistant to full time first, then adding a police dispatcher position, followed by an EMS officer (fire), and next the Council on Aging hours increase; the police administrative sergeant and a deputy Emergency Management Director were ranked lower.

Board members said the building department has historically generated fees that offset its staffing costs and that converting the existing part‑time assistant to full time may be justifiable because the department’s permitting workload and inspector scheduling create administrative pinch points. Staff noted building permit receipts have, in recent years, included large one‑time revenues (examples cited in prior years such as Amazon/LNG activity) that can skew averages.

Public safety staffing was discussed at length. The police department seeks both an administrative sergeant and an additional dispatcher; board members and staff observed that an eighth dispatcher helps achieve two dispatchers on a shift (improving redundancy and ability to manage EMD and multi‑agency calls), and discussed whether partial‑year or part‑time hires could defer benefit costs. The fire department’s prioritized request included an EMS officer and a part‑time deputy EMD; the board noted the deputy EMD position is part time (no benefits) and that an EMS officer has ongoing benefit costs.

Council on Aging staffing was debated with an eye toward cost and service tradeoffs: board members asked whether the COA could contain costs by returning to Tri‑Valley meals (no town subsidy) rather than higher‑cost Overlook meals; staff and board members suggested the COA finalize its food survey before the board decides. Several select board members said they would consider funding positions part‑time or delayed start dates (for example beginning in the fall rather than July 1) to reduce FY26 budgetary pressure while allowing staffing later in the fiscal year.

Board members noted some requests could be funded temporarily from non‑recurring revenues or fall back on unallocated free cash, but cautioned against relying on one‑time receipts to fund ongoing personnel costs. The board directed staff to prepare a balanced budget alternative showing the prioritized positions incorporated based on the order discussed and to return with detailed cost scenarios and timing options.","During a budget hearing, board members and staff reviewed a prioritized list of proposed new or expanded town positions and discussed tradeoffs — building department admin, police dispatch, EMS/fire staffing and a council on aging hours increase — as the draft budget shows a roughly $250,000 gap between requests and projected revenues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charlton senior center director seeks more hours for front‑desk help and presses feasibility study for new facility

Cemetery and facilities director asks for modest maintenance funding, presses for permanent facilities

Charlton DPW seeks modest operating increases as truck fleet nears replacement cycle

Charlton sets testing program, prepares to borrow for landfill cap after DEP approvals

Select Board weighs staffing priorities as FY26 gap remains