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