[{"_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",6479681,"mediaKeyId","5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4","parentId",5692731,"title","Votes at a glance: Charlton sewer commission, May 14, 2025","audioSeconds",3320,"startMs",511000,"endMs",3831000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4&start=511&end=3831","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4/thumbnail_511000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479681/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Charlton-sewer-commission-May-14-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479681-009d713fc4bd6ec73a5778dfc911e3ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413070&Signature=AO3AkcO2jFFaWbW6Xqj-tQI~xpN6QfMsSAWlvqZkBp7ZTPq1iNjsS0ot2QdRyhd7y13dPObncNsV4GPErKI3Sq8-9b1BvLwvp48~ytlWGphAF9uN71oP6xiaMKapb5Z-d4hkVmoPYt3vd-4dT0VWsxQ0oeviwDI20U2OlDRB9Bns7m0XMuDv3ugaA~rUByoYlpfqqTxT55BSNUGD6lVSaPOJagwUuN~0lKByyew6sxhsWCTvYNYXPEZtJNidlXBg8-GesQwDj-FHulOxfGbnb5xFghf-g~KAAZrM3wNVHpoSOsi5YoQoIABGaUyrmts1KRo0s6wnP6broKajdSNZaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlton","date","2025-08-29T05:32:01Z","article","The Town of Charlton Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners took the following formal actions at its May 14, 2025 meeting (votes recorded by roll call unless noted):

- Elect Paul Gagner chair — approved (5-0). All present commissioners voted “aye.”

- Elect Tom Coleman vice chair — approved (5-0).

- Elect Robert Coleman clerk — approved (5-0).

- Approve warrants (motion to approve warrant totals as read) — approved (5-0). The meeting record states the warrants were presented with a total of $101,100,906.66 as read into the record.

- Approve senior abatement (flat and meter error rates) totaling $874.91 — approved (5-0).

- Abate account for 5 Gillespie Road (sewer billing error) in the amount referenced in the packet ($548.09 referenced in discussion) — approved (5-0).

- North Main Street duplexes: approve prospective sewer connection contingent on payment of betterments. Commissioners noted a privilege/betterment fee of $8,200 per dwelling (duplex = $16,400) and voted to allow tie-in after payment — approved (5-0).

- Approve sewer connection for new fire station at 4 Oxford Road (follow procedure, accept connection) — approved (5-0).

- Saint Mark's Orthodox Church parcel: commissioners declined to initiate a right of first refusal for the final parcel (no interest) — approved (5-0).

- Meter tampering letter and amnesty/penalty policy: approve sending the letter establishing a three-month amnesty window followed by enforcement for the period 04/09/2025–04/09/2026 — approved (5-0).

- McDonald’s Route 20 billing abatement: commissioners discussed and directed staff to return with precise meter readings and worksheets; motion to defer final abatement vote to June meeting — approved (5-0) (no final abatement amount recorded at this meeting).

- Approve purchase of replacement vault hatch and riser up to $20,000 to preserve access during Route 20 paving — approved (4-0 with 1 recusal). Commissioner Eric Groton declined to vote due to a family relationship with a supplier.

- Motion to adjourn — approved (5-0).

These votes reflect motions and roll-call outcomes recorded during the May 14 meeting. Several items were approved contingent on payment (betterments) or subject to provision of documentation at a future meeting (McDonald’s abatement, Veolia contract addendum).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Water and Sewer Commissioners Meeting May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes taken by the Town of Charlton Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners at its May 14, 2025 meeting.","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},6479686,"Charlton commission approves up to $20,000 for emergency replacement vault hatch on Route 20",397,3302000,3699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4&start=3302&end=3699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4/thumbnail_3302000.jpg","/articles/6479686/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-commission-approves-up-to-20000-for-emergency-replacement-vault-hatch-on-Route-20","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479686-45f50e4efd63c914feda243961efc575/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413070&Signature=ecWZubdGQBCn9kbZ6xi7unY-Mpk6xmCBtTI0h5ORHKo5WQtHPeEBpjB9Roz1FF5M6cOulOxwgYVHTecyATS2hnXFKtFO~OelWgkgVKhzfFG~69XpcY5YcIrzOxeeXlDgXh3QJaCnPVvoAynUlUm3U5VqqpU4YG57zvDV4zdJxnLJMhe4ffRNOLw77~Q8laAwzDj0wBqw4qTs8MSV2VF7vTvnwWCxcwsyhHBfdHl4Z4JxoFw5eMZhW3sqnxIWMBEHbfoXUBNVcioTGvFtYU02ZjJKB8AeIFb9fMyweu6-~JqeGJp018bkYjQfJy7G0X~fLEFGojqP8Z3X8NQkpPN7uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Charlton Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners authorized an emergency purchase of a replacement hatch for a damaged subgrade vault on Oxbow Road (within the Route 20 reconstruction area), approving up to $20,000 to purchase an H‑20‑rated access assembly so the vault is not buried during upcoming paving operations.

Chris (consultant) explained that the vault’s existing hatch was beyond reuse and that the roadway contractor would place final pavement within days. “We have to move on a replacement hatch, immediately. It's not gonna be covered under the DW White / MassDOT roadway improvement because it's infrastructure the town had that was damaged prior to,” Chris said. He asked the board for authority to order a replacement with lead time of two to three weeks.

Commissioners discussed setting a not-to-exceed limit and agreed $20,000 was an appropriate maximum to avoid delaying paving while giving staff authority to source an H‑20 unit. The board voted to authorize the chair (through staff) to proceed with a purchase up to $20,000.

During the roll call, one commissioner recused himself from the vote because of a family relationship with a supplier: Commissioner Eric Groton declined to vote, saying he had a conflict (he stated EJ is his grandfather). The recorded vote was: Paul Gagner — aye; Tom Coleman — aye; Eric Groton — recused/declined to vote; Eric Bernard — aye; Robert Coleman — aye.

Procedurally, the board instructed Chris and town staff to proceed with sourcing and to communicate specifics and delivery timing to the commission and town administrative staff so the parts are on hand when the final paving is placed.","Commissioners authorized the purchase of a heavy-duty, H-20-loaded replacement hatch for a subgrade vault on Oxbow/Route 20, approving up to $20,000 to ensure access is preserved during imminent roadway work; one member declined to vote due to a family connection with a supplier.",{"_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},6479689,"Charlton commissioners discuss large billing discrepancy at Route 20 McDonald’s; abatement numbers deferred to next month",458,2560000,3018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4&start=2560&end=3018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4/thumbnail_2560000.jpg","/articles/6479689/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-commissioners-discuss-large-billing-discrepancy-at-Route-20-McDonalds-abatement-numbers-deferred-to-next-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479689-18abe5def7f61516134edacc88c92f2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413070&Signature=HiMWIlxano3qnifXcfNBBpzi7Dt7f9QA8mG5lPeaJ4R16zz2Gw7aA9vVaJThTJjkAHH-wkj95Xz4uP4kNlvWmgfW1Ia660D8zOdtlG0QHpU-T~lsCj2-0pCrkUa-~K3MJ1-QF8DLpi~pzHlchrZ6NsFsSRihCYAE-YMuFvRxG25vzCP9L-u1QPnjR1ZLI6jfnEKUsc8VFPXf28~l0RAufsuSACaABnM7w1N9Hwb~RlnG~XXGXdpbjkr3nDsO9pcMm88z4c9sF~~y~OPJqJeZ2Oo-oVCVNPeb0MFjF2~SWG1kdHsjTUFhPVu4WKv3uBnSMgF0jxU4LccgmvkiVAV4sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff and consultants told the Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners that the McDonald’s on Route 20 (referred to as Charlton East) was billed substantially more than historical usage for one quarter because the previously installed flow meter was recording incorrectly.

Chris McClure, referencing work by Brian Owens, said the newly installed meter is recording much lower usage than the old meter and that the evidence supports an abatement for the disputed quarter. “We and we feel that an abatement would be warranted, similarly to what was done in the past,” McClure said.

Consultants and staff recommended applying a 75% reduction to the contested flow for the quarter in question to align the billed flows with what the new meter and comparable sites indicate. The meeting record contains several draft figures discussed during the session: the contested bill for Charlton East was referenced at $206,000 for that quarter; the comparable Charlton West figure mentioned was about $58,000; the suggested 75% reduction would produce a new Charlton East liability that consultants said would be roughly $51,005. Those monetary figures were discussed on the record but the commission did not take a final numeric vote at the meeting.

Commissioners asked staff to provide the precise worksheet and meter records used to calculate the abatement and then voted to defer a final abatement decision to the June meeting so members could review the supporting numbers. Commissioner Robert Coleman moved to defer and the motion was seconded; the board voted aye to delay the vote and requested exact figures for the next meeting.

Consultants also said grease and meter suitability likely contributed to the faulty readings: the old meter type was better suited for large flows and was affected by grease in the line. Staff reported the line has been scheduled for jetting and cleaning and that McDonald’s has committed to more frequent grease-trap maintenance.

The commission will revisit the abatement request after staff provides the meter read history, software logs from the new meter, and the worksheet used to derive proposed reductions.","Board members reviewed meter data that shows much lower flows after a new meter was installed at the McDonald’s on Route 20 and discussed a recommended 75% abatement for the contested quarter; commissioners agreed to defer a final abatement vote until staff provides detailed numbers.",{"_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},6479692,"Veolia operator resigns; Charlton commissioners review proposal to add staff and amend contract, defer decision",569,760000,1329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4&start=760&end=1329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4/thumbnail_760000.jpg","/articles/6479692/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Veolia-operator-resigns-Charlton-commissioners-review-proposal-to-add-staff-and-amend-contract-defer-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479692-21d89449b4a12bf5f78f2c37c377e92d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413070&Signature=l5quLSEfuWW7W52tcONLxBtFbjXRR3f1tgiuqkxDJdZRUxGqmzsOxAY~PLOjpQwZK9GjTqoZ-99wCoZoicEluYuE7zyUIb4Q718XoJ-TOlM5Ba4QbFqgsJpnnb91ggHOroN4MUBebSAvUGT3IYbgUBhgDFlzDmxA2etwy2yV0w1KDE5NsoYySrfj1w34MVhQsJQ-T1Q~bgUTnAptAjWwRbAOHMZVumahacW4sC63UWRAMGXKlqgCC0huzDDZIqWniv7-4MczUX45KTmtYssJeT3Fc-ckipp-6OopZoHqzbqwVvUom217wJmrQyKXCXW6MGTnc-SKc1cxWgSch84jBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vinny (Veolia operations representative) delivered the March 2025 monthly operating report and told the Town of Charlton Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners that he had resigned from his Veolia position and will be replaced by Dennis Flores.

“...this is probably gonna be my last meeting representing Veolia. So I've given my notice,” Vinny said during the monthly operating report, which listed plant staffing, maintenance work and compliance activity for March 2025. Vinny said the plant’s Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) had been entered into CDX on April 8 with no violations reported.

After the operations report, Veolia and town staff discussed a written proposal included in commissioners’ meeting packages to add one Grade 5 licensed operator and to increase hours for the town-facing assistant (Amy) so she could cover front-office duties when needed. The proposal specified a fixed cost of $129,423 for both the added operator and the additional service hours, described in the meeting packet.

Veolia staff said the plant has been understaffed for some time. The presenter noted the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection had issued a notice of noncompliance that cited insufficient staffing and that an engineering staffing analysis is underway. “In that notice, they call out the fact that there's not enough staffing,” the presenter said.

Commissioners pressed for the written addendum and dollar figures before taking any vote. Commissioner Tom Coleman and others said the board had not reviewed the addendum in detail and asked for the original contract language and the new addendum for comparison. Cheryl (town staff) said the proposal and its dollar amounts were included in the meeting packet and offered to send the original contract.

Given the budget timing — the town budget for the fiscal year begins July 1 — commissioners agreed to defer formal action until they could review the full staffing analysis and confirm budget authority and signing authority. Commissioner Paul Gagner recommended letting the matter sit for a month so the commission could review the addendum, the staffing evaluation and where the proposed $129,423 would fit in next year’s budget.

No amendment was approved at the meeting; the board directed Veolia and staff to provide the original contract language, the staffing analysis and any supporting documentation for the commission to consider at the June meeting.","Veolia's local operator announced his resignation at the May 14 meeting; the company proposed adding a third licensed operator and extra front-office hours at a fixed cost of $129,423, but the commission voted to defer action pending a formal staffing analysis and budget review.",{"_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},6479695,"Charlton sewer commissioners elect Paul Gagner chair, Tom Coleman vice chair, Robert Coleman clerk",37,259000,296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4&start=259&end=296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692731-23ebb1ec61de08aa958cc41feec229f4/thumbnail_259000.jpg","/articles/6479695/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-sewer-commissioners-elect-Paul-Gagner-chair-Tom-Coleman-vice-chair-Robert-Coleman-clerk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479695-a13f4c6a206ce590168b0b11752fcf88/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413070&Signature=XbFSOEoqr1rz2KC7SW15dGDt82XFQLa96MKk~jBfnnrPDIVNM6kK7htIwdc9xRVVmPId3jMXvK1kCb77rT8VHLRQJEJuA1cZb5SEn4wTLu9oA4~O2hv1meu6s7~tHaEchZsl~hJAXBoxS4KU5kZKDsBsr4Cqf-HbFxxREiHR4oBC~zVWsoJvpxHR30iW5tjAclLepr2yQSxgFCClzVGxScFJmNkoaB7ICXNu1jm6pq7hviy98FPPkSwJ5bAfS3JgA-6RkMgH5NiytAP829DS2~1UowmDY-aktQjy~3PkzUJ-2gj7r1s-xtROLnimfV5IW40HIzZnFlbZlAucj8zCpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paul Gagner was elected chair of the Town of Charlton Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners at the board's May 14, 2025 meeting.

In a roll-call vote, the commissioners approved the nomination of Paul Gagner. Commissioner Tom Coleman, Commissioner Eric Groton, Commissioner Eric Bernard and Commissioner Robert Coleman all voted “aye.”

The board then elected Tom Coleman as vice chair and Robert Coleman as clerk by roll-call votes. Each office was nominated and seconded before the recorded votes. The board discussed the duties of each office before voting; the chair is responsible for running meetings and representing the commission at some intergovernmental meetings, the vice chair opens meetings when the chair is absent, and the clerk reads warrant totals and records minutes, according to remarks during the meeting.

The newly elected chair noted the commission has occasional external meetings — including an upcoming annual town meeting at Heritage School — where at least one representative of the Water and Sewer Commission is typically present.

The elections were completed at the start of the May 14 meeting and were followed by normal business, including approval of warrants and routine agenda items.

Less-critical agenda items and next procedural steps were handled after the elections; the chair will preside over future meetings unless a change is recorded.","At its May 14 meeting, the Town of Charlton Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners elected Paul Gagner chair, Tom Coleman vice chair and Robert Coleman as clerk in roll-call votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Charlton sewer commission, May 14, 2025

Charlton commission approves up to $20,000 for emergency replacement vault hatch on Route 20

Charlton commissioners discuss large billing discrepancy at Route 20 McDonald’s; abatement numbers deferred to next month

Veolia operator resigns; Charlton commissioners review proposal to add staff and amend contract, defer decision

Charlton sewer commissioners elect Paul Gagner chair, Tom Coleman vice chair, Robert Coleman clerk