Charlestown council renews gatehouse lease to William Clark through June 2026; records intent that it be final renewal

The Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously Feb. 10 to renew the gatehouse lease to tenant William Clark from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, at a monthly rent of $1,000 and authorized the town administrator and town treasurer to execute any documents necessary to carry out the renewal.

Councilor Stokes, who led the discussion, said he supported renewal but voiced a desire that the coming term be the lease’s last renewal so the town could plan future uses for the building. “I would recommend that we…renew the lease. I would just put a caveat that that would be the last renewal,” Stokes said during the discussion. The council did not amend the motion to include that caveat; the town solicitor advised the council to approve the lease under its current terms and address any future renewal at the next renewal point.

William Clark, the current tenant, spoke to the council about his long service maintaining the gatehouse and said he understood the town’s planning needs. He said he would cooperate with the council’s timeline and praised working with town staff.

The motion to renew — made by Councilor Maher and seconded by Councilor Sloane — was decided by roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed by a unanimous 4–0 vote. The council noted the intent that this be the final renewal but did not incorporate that limitation into the approved motion or lease language at this meeting.

The lease renewal keeps the property available to the town while staff and council continue to evaluate whether the gatehouse might be repurposed for Parks and Recreation or other municipal needs. Any future action to limit renewal or to change the building’s use will require a separate council vote.