[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6546715,"mediaKeyId","3534844-5d4d069bedfdc63015e373bded037fed","parentId",3534844,"title","Charlton Select Board approves appointments, DPW bid awards, stormwater intermunicipal agreement, adopts procedures and creates attendance dashboard","audioSeconds",2759,"startMs",598000,"endMs",3357000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3534844-5d4d069bedfdc63015e373bded037fed&start=598&end=3357","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3534844-5d4d069bedfdc63015e373bded037fed/thumbnail_598000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546715/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-Select-Board-approves-appointments-DPW-bid-awards-stormwater-intermunicipal-agreement-adopts-procedures-and-creates-attendance-dashboard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546715-540525b00e7ada9de8c29b52145c7f69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204321&Signature=d6dxccWMjVdNQ4bVHbolwi-Um~LRSqo6tbDhNPXWzrJauxafbRQlbzTWiIiw1aukrqQ48p6matu6KKueKNDEFDr7BW1UCHxn-XlMxcKMvdx1QqqlBoQjs5GWFDEFxhZSMFs39IRPi0Gp9InxT1t670-2qeoIvv5Q4lkVJiAVSM5ZvZOwjoFhcWNVqM~Ojsg5P3t3UmOLui5hn5X8bm~xQF02vSwSnIHF8sulSjhMaCHe2X38HinKvJ4zCYkLv6Y~6H55WFtgCxy8vk1rzcoOTrl-0wsWrSNw5OUlulSQeQJOF1RO5ncaJwNWeNL0icWqdcUtfu-cue5IvvfeuEbzIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Charlton, MA","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Charlton Select Board on May 27 approved a slate of routine governance actions including committee appointments, bid awards for Department of Public Works materials and services, renewal of an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) for regional stormwater cooperation, adoption of select board rules and procedures, and the creation of an attendance dashboard for select board members pending legal review. The board also accepted one resignation, set committee liaison assignments and voted to enter executive session on a collective bargaining and grievance matter.

Why it matters: The IMA and DPW bid awards affect town operations and future project delivery; adoption of board procedures and liaison assignments shape governance and oversight; the attendance dashboard is a transparency measure that the board approved conditionally after discussion about legal and privacy implications.

Votes at a glance (each item approved unless otherwise noted):

- Approval of minutes: Regular meeting minutes of May 13, 2025 — motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous approval.

- Zoning Board of Appeals appointments: Garrett LaFrance and Marco Tibory recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals to be elevated from alternate to full members; outcome: unanimous approval.

- Boston Post Cane Committee appointment: Shawnee Boyce appointed to the Boston Post Cane Committee with a term expiring 06/30/2026; outcome: unanimous approval.

- Resignation accepted: Matthew Carlson resigned from the Historical Commission and Historic District Commission effective 05/06/2025; board accepted with regret; outcome: unanimous.

- Adoption of Select Board rules and procedures: Board adopted the rules as presented by the town administrator; outcome: unanimous.

- Committee liaisons: Board confirmed and amended liaison assignments (including Bandshell Development Committee, CMRPC alternate, Community Center Feasibility Committee, Fire Substation committee alternate) as recorded in the minutes; outcome: unanimous.

- Dangerous-dog hearing (Gia): Motion that owner implement self-closing gate mechanisms and continue the hearing for a three-month monitoring period; outcome: approved (see separate detailed article on the hearing).

- Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition IMA (FY2026–FY2030): Board approved renewal effective 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2030. The town’s matching share was authorized at not to exceed $4,000 per year; outcome: unanimous approval.

- DPW materials and services bid awards (low bidders as recommended by DPW Director Nick Peel):
- Timeless Concrete — type 1 in place at $87.12 per ton (mass bridal stone) — approved.
- Murray Paving & Reclamation, Inc. — full depth pavement reclamation at $3.21 per square yard — approved.
- Allstate's Construction (transcript spelling) — asphalt rubber surface treatment: 10% at $4.45/sq yd and 20% at $5.75/sq yd — approved.

- Goals and objectives working session scheduling: Board asked the town administrator to solicit available dates from members and report options; no final date set at this meeting.

- Attendance dashboard for Select Board members: Board voted to create an attendance dashboard consolidating information already public in minutes, conditional on legal counsel review to address any protected leave or privacy/legal concerns; motion approved.

- Executive session: Board voted to enter executive session under M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(2) to discuss strategy related to collective bargaining and litigation concerning a Charlton firefighters union grievance; the board voted to enter executive session and adjourned from open session.

What the board authorized that affects town operations:

- IMA renewal: The Central Mass Regional Stormwater Coalition participation agreement runs 07/01/2025–06/30/2030; matching share not to exceed $4,000 per year; the town’s conservation commission is the contact for the program.

- DPW contracts: Low bids for aggregate/concrete, full-depth reclamation, and asphalt rubber surface treatments were accepted as recommended by the DPW director; vendors and unit prices are recorded in the minutes and the town will proceed with contract awards.

- Administrative governance: Select Board rules and the committee liaison roster were adopted and recorded in the minutes; appointments to boards and committees were processed and openings announced where applicable.

Next steps and follow-up: The board set a three-month review for the dangerous-dog matter and tasked the owner to notify Animal Control Officer Emily Sears when required containment devices are installed. The town administrator will gather possible dates for a goals-and-objectives working session and return options to the board. Legal counsel will be asked to review any issues related to the attendance dashboard before it goes live publicly.

The Select Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Meeting Room 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Charlton: Select Board Meeting May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of Charlton Select Board on May 27 approved appointments, DPW bid awards, renewal of a regional stormwater intermunicipal agreement, adoption of select board procedures and a conditional attendance dashboard, and set follow-up for a dangerous-dog hearing.","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},6546720,"Select Board orders owner of dog Gia to install self-closing gates, continues hearing for three months",1113,1000000,2113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3534844-5d4d069bedfdc63015e373bded037fed&start=1000&end=2113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3534844-5d4d069bedfdc63015e373bded037fed/thumbnail_1000000.jpg","/articles/6546720/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-orders-owner-of-dog-Gia-to-install-self-closing-gates-continues-hearing-for-three-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546720-0b194c2a7ba7cb1ba90bd906f2dc02cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204321&Signature=N~XZm0AbqGGNPdsDFNSViiKsirHkXGZ-uOAuit4DaPZjchgftDf5BhCVLBNFLuHREQUgM3pi-ahzPkXMR~Szfs8UQyWTOaL~lReb9wxLQwKB1nWdEKuQW-Yx2FzFwEmGHobMozLD2-~iSw7onnbTDFZpFXqVWUWmxcaGGraew9RqISwZV-aYT5WdjEjjs6sf9mAVqi1qcCNYwGvC3RRx18XU6nJ9-6AzbeZcKRH5lFi83QsR4Un7cGxxdLX4OpEgH-jmROuBM8k5ZMSaoh6dfNklDQfUNyFYIPB2XsVdRgQjACAeKvYbuVjTSrWbgqUfwzpX12wnw0Uyz3NcAF6nZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charlton Select Board on May 27 voted that the owner of a dog named Gia must install self-closing gate mechanisms and return to the board in roughly three months for follow-up after a complaint that Gia attacked a neighbor dog.

The decision came after testimony from the complainant and the town's animal control officer about multiple prior incidents and a report that a neighbor’s dog required emergency veterinary care. The board voted to continue the hearing for a three-month review period and required the owner to notify the animal control officer when required safeguards are in place.

Animal Control Officer Emily Sears told the Select Board she was notified on March (date in file) by the complainant, Bill LePage of 168 Berry Corner Road, that his dog was attacked. Sears said the dog was identified as Gia, owned by Maureen McGinty of 185 Berry Corner Road. “Gia was put on a 10 day quarantine, and miss McGinty was given a running at large first offense citation,” Sears said. Sears reported previous quarantines after scuffles in 2023 and 2024 and said the most recent incident led the LePages to seek emergency veterinary care for their dog.

Complainant Bill LePage described repeated incidents and said his wife witnessed the most recent attack. “Multiple attacks by the same dog. My wife was there both times while I was either at work or in the hospital this last time. She was unable to break up the dog fight on her own,” LePage said. He told the board the family wanted “something's actually measurable, concrete” to prevent further attacks.

Owner Maureen McGinty said she was remorseful and described steps she has taken. She told the board she installed a fence in 2023, had paid the vet bill for the injured dog and fired the dog sitter she said had left a gate open. “I now have a padlock. So there's 2 gates. There's a gate in the front and a gate in the back. It's fully fenced in the entire yard,” McGinty said. She said she has sought training for Gia and that Gia had been rescued from the streets in Georgia as a young dog.

When board members asked about further containment measures, Animal Control Officer Sears recommended self-closing mechanisms and noted other precautions such as padlocks or carabiners as additional steps to reduce the risk of escape. A board member moved that the homeowner implement self-closing gates and that the board continue the hearing for three months to monitor whether additional incidents occur; a second was recorded and the motion passed.

The board recorded that McGinty had voluntarily paid the veterinary expenses in the most recent case and directed that she notify the animal control officer once the gates are fitted with self-closing devices so the town can confirm compliance. The board's action is recorded as a continued hearing with conditions; it did not order euthanasia or other removal of the animal at this meeting.

The Select Board will revisit the matter at the continued hearing in approximately three months; the owner must notify Animal Control Officer Emily Sears when required measures are in place so the town can verify compliance.

","At its May 27 meeting the Charlton Select Board heard a dangerous-dog complaint about Gia, owned by Maureen McGinty, and voted that the owner install self-closing gate mechanisms and return in three months to report results; the board noted the animal control officer's report of multiple previous incidents and a veterinary visit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charlton Select Board approves appointments, DPW bid awards, stormwater intermunicipal agreement, adopts procedures and creates attendance dashboard

Select Board orders owner of dog Gia to install self-closing gates, continues hearing for three months