[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",[32,75,85],{"_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",6458056,"mediaKeyId","5824070-684ba87ec61ef48317c61c73d81bd1b8","parentId",5824070,"title","Select Board places multiple warrant articles on Oct. 20 special town meeting; most motions supported","audioSeconds",1603,"startMs",113000,"endMs",1716000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824070-684ba87ec61ef48317c61c73d81bd1b8&start=113&end=1716","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824070-684ba87ec61ef48317c61c73d81bd1b8/thumbnail_113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458056/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-places-multiple-warrant-articles-on-Oct-20-special-town-meeting-most-motions-supported","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458056-2617e760949155f76f469105adef1ff0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184759&Signature=muAMGc2Lp9F72bpLf0ziPXJnDBRodsz4FjezJfgByJayCVJm51cZFfqh9mTcHQW8lH-eCIHyQgDM~PIWsgZrNoowLRQLbTPGC5gNZfAPgThZKNwBuQ7GzBYm5RvjQ-t-zs5vXzAfptQcQYC2e2zATOMvf~IpoPozWr6f7-nheiSAaT6mcvXhItTfLWZnmF9knwz6-rO6Vpq~2pdTgEZ~jjo23WyCtiMZRHp0X0BVp4Bc67xs0I59Va14TcWGNMU7Jk0l~6ogl4WXlauNVJAr-QEJGhhCoJoOm9YE1kwuxyYJRcOlXlk6sx3LlZKFrdFxk1F4blpaten6SgALY6JAug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charlton","date","2025-09-24T12:19:02.96Z","article","The Town of Charlton Select Board on Sept. 23 voted to place a bundle of budget and capital items on the warrant for a special town meeting scheduled for Oct. 20 at Charlton Middle School.

The board approved motions to include prior‑year bill appropriations, reserve fund and stabilization transfers, equipment and capital items, and a set of miscellaneous capital and program appropriations. Select Board members signaled support for most motions during the meeting by voice vote.

Why it matters: The warrant articles move proposed spending and bylaw changes to the voter floor, where town meeting attendees will decide whether to approve specific appropriations and bylaw revisions. Several items fund municipal operations, capital replacements and planning work that would affect spending in fiscal year 2026.

Key items placed on the warrant

- Appropriation of prior‑year bills (various small invoices) — motion to approve carried by voice vote.
- Reserve and stabilization transfers and personnel corrections, including $450,000 for health insurance adjustments and funding to add a highway operator — motion approved by voice vote.
- Article 4 (miscellaneous capital): multiple sub‑motions including building improvements and IT replacements, a $50,000 request for a senior‑center feasibility study (to be added as motion 5), and other capital requests — the board approved most sub‑motions by voice vote; the finance committee asked that the senior‑center feasibility study be handled as a separate motion and the board agreed to add it to the warrant, though several members said they would not support that specific motion.
- Vehicle and equipment replacements, including police and highway vehicles and cemetery equipment — motions approved by voice vote.
- Transfers to stabilization and other long‑term funds (amounts discussed up to $1,000,000 in aggregate for some items) — motion approved by voice vote.
- Historic district bylaw repeal/replacement language to align with Massachusetts Historical Commission standards — approved for placement on the warrant.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by voice; multiple motions were seconded and carried with members saying \"Aye.\" Where select board members explicitly declined support for a particular sub‑motion (notably one board member said they would \"not support\" the senior‑center feasibility motion), the board nevertheless agreed to include that motion on the warrant so town meeting voters can decide.

What happens next: The special town meeting will be held Oct. 20 at Charlton Middle School. Voters who wish to attend must register by Oct. 10, either online or at the Charlton Library during posted hours. Individual warrant motions will be debated and voted by town meeting attendees; the Select Board’s placement of articles on the warrant does not itself enact appropriations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Select Board 9-23-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Charlton Select Board on Sept. 23 voted to place a package of budget and capital articles on the Oct. 20 Special Town Meeting warrant, approving most individual motions and agreeing to include a $50,000 senior‑center feasibility study as a separate motion despite mixed support.","taxTitle","Town of Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",54464,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458046,"Massachusetts issues Level 2 drought advisory for Worcester County; Charlton staff pass along restrictions",89,202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824070-684ba87ec61ef48317c61c73d81bd1b8&start=113&end=202","/articles/6458046/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Massachusetts-issues-Level-2-drought-advisory-for-Worcester-County-Charlton-staff-pass-along-restrictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458046-a80a58d3352d4d9c9b3d43f272c683be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184759&Signature=jnFWZg6rbuY3ekcV1LmZJSyjD2a7BE9REZn1ZBjEka6d9yhodzWXhOJTsLL-OeeGqCtDKW4C5Vsyb-SZWwSpMuX~JqtuzAX8AXVAfRQd~ofKaqAvl9Gvftu5yzTUeIdxbHwY9xY1B5vVtu1v~DtUkNF0PYLndcbbu7U~gUkQPy0BoS9NM-t6NDnVNTjKpUdL0n8IfZQaZ84pmRPpJjHzrqU9YpHGbmcjOLt1WqXOo3U4ze4egLcZAFVUAMFa~LN6JH2b4QIUNWi2cjTeHv2OnwHyy8LoltFPVgCYi7Vpn9FOj6SoaRHodwuveBEWz1rC~YtpwL9f9p4jZovraJ2Myg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff informed the Select Board on Sept. 23 that the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force issued a Level 2 (\"significant\") drought declaration for Worcester County.

The announcement covers Charlton and neighboring communities. The board read a notice that water customers in Southbridge and Charlton should refrain from outdoor water use except for limited hand watering and that municipal and private well users are included. Exemptions cited in the announcement include food or fiber production, health and safety needs, livestock maintenance and specified commercial operations such as nursery irrigation. The notice directed residents to the state website for more information and provided the Southbridge Water Department contact number for questions.

Town staff emphasized that the Charlton reservoir system was at roughly 91% of total capacity at the time of the announcement and that the declaration is a countywide action rather than the result of an immediate shortage in Charlton’s municipal storage. The transcript notes that state rules and enforcement related to drought management went into effect in April 2025.

What residents should know

- The declaration is countywide (Worcester County) and includes Charlton water customers and private wells.
- Restrictions focus on outdoor water use, with enumerated exemptions for essential uses and certain commercial operations.
- Charlton’s local reservoir system was reported at about 91% capacity at the meeting; staff said this is within the town’s historical average for this time of year.
- State guidance and the full declaration are posted on mass.gov under the Drought Management Task Force pages; Southbridge Water Department contact information was provided for local questions.

Town staff asked residents with questions to contact the Southbridge Water Department at the number read aloud during the meeting.","Town staff told the Charlton Select Board that the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force has issued a Level 2 (significant) drought declaration for Worcester County that includes outdoor water‑use restrictions and exemptions for health, food production and livestock; the town’s reservoirs remain near historical averages.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458051,"Charlton hearing examines owner containment, board debates 'dangerous dog' designation for dog named Gia",131,3299000,3430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824070-684ba87ec61ef48317c61c73d81bd1b8&start=3299&end=3430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824070-684ba87ec61ef48317c61c73d81bd1b8/thumbnail_3299000.jpg","/articles/6458051/Town-of-Charlton/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Charlton-hearing-examines-owner-containment-board-debates-dangerous-dog-designation-for-dog-named-Gia","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458051-12e2d837fa156724404e79d08dccd9d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184759&Signature=BGVPBds1RGqy5F8ftbarh8MTdmJVil6-KS3THc8o499zt4bOhNJYiC4z3L6fAsv38ATMx9rxviIQmslEsfpfoElAGfD1LI6L5z3UBDjT4GvAqapnajfxsgkeUXBDLAcdiZ~zwcnTUxwloTayKAqJ3ULBmP4qUfw5PDcwuTKz0tepfz4doHeylZwazH-UqELOipC9Bujw~7KsOgzVTosRsYIr9nf1~-akqWa1-zcaEqJj7NBFd643dlIk414JNQ8hBswV3-C9P7Cxrgw8hPzTUJMFcY51BNkX7rMax3HU8bGRABfsNss8CsiEYVZ8ChOGMKP~EQqDqr6pHoB3YFuaQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Charlton Select Board on Sept. 23 held a public hearing about repeated neighborhood incidents involving a dog identified as Gia.

Animal control staff and neighbors described multiple instances in which Gia left her yard and went onto an adjacent property. The animal control officer told the board, \"I do believe that Gia can be considered a dangerous dog due to her ill intent to harm her when she gets out,\" and recommended steps consistent with Massachusetts law. Pet owner Kelly LePage told the board she is \"willing to do whatever it takes,\" described reliance on a dog sitter during work periods, and said she has taken measures since the last incident, including using a leash and adding signage and cameras.

Why it matters: A dangerous‑dog determination can impose containment and registration requirements on an owner and can affect insurance and housing. The board discussed nonlethal containment options — including an underground containment system or a wireless GPS collar — as alternatives to euthanasia and focused on measures to keep the dog on the owner’s property.

Hearing details and testimony

- Animal control officer: described multiple incidents, said the dog repeatedly goes to the neighbor's property when loose and recommended classifying Gia as a dangerous dog under Massachusetts General Laws and imposing containment requirements.
- Kelly LePage (dog owner): said she takes responsibility and described steps she has taken and will take, including installing cameras, using a leash and considering an underground containment or wireless GPS collar; she expressed concern about shock‑collar use for a 10‑year‑old dog but said she would comply with reasonable containment measures.
- Neighbor testimony: neighbors described prior incidents and said the dog \"knew\" to go to the neighbor’s yard on at least two occasions; one neighbor asked for a shorter timeline than a 90‑day order to show compliance.

Board discussion and motion

Several board members and attendees urged nonlethal containment measures. A motion was made and seconded to declare Gia a dangerous dog and to require that the dog be kept on a leash and enclosed by an underground containment system (or equivalent). The transcript records the motion and second but does not record an explicit roll‑call tally or a final, named vote outcome in the public record provided.

Next steps and compliance

At the hearing the board and attendees discussed timelines and technical options. Questions remained in the transcript about the deadline for installing a secondary containment system; a board member asked for clarification and was told the board would provide a timeline, but the transcript does not record a specific number of days or a final enforcement date.

Legal context: hearing commentary cited Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) regarding dangerous‑dog procedures and the role of the Worcester County Retirement Board was referenced in unrelated agenda items. The animal control officer indicated that a dangerous‑dog classification can affect insurance coverage and municipal liability.

The board indicated that its decision can be appealed under the statutory process; the hearing record recommends nonlethal containment and did not include any motion to euthanize the animal.","At a Sept. 23 public hearing the Select Board heard neighbours and the animal control officer about repeated incidents involving a dog named Gia. The officer recommended classifying Gia as a dangerous dog and the board discussed nonlethal containment requirements; the transcript does not record a final vote tally.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board places multiple warrant articles on Oct. 20 special town meeting; most motions supported

Massachusetts issues Level 2 drought advisory for Worcester County; Charlton staff pass along restrictions

Charlton hearing examines owner containment, board debates 'dangerous dog' designation for dog named Gia