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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 near the end of their service lives, citing a recent sidelined truck with a failed frame and suspension. Second, lead times for new Freightliner plow/sander trucks have lengthened—from about one year before 2020 to two years or more now—prompting the DPW to propose buying two trucks this fall to avoid fleet shortfalls. “We’re trying to get two in anticipation of these struggles,” Clement said.
Clement described the town’s purchasing practice: the town approves funds in the capital budget, the vendor builds the truck, and the town pays on receipt; the quoted price would be fixed at purchase order so increases during long lead times would not change the contracted price. He also said the department pays the balance only after delivery.
On stormwater operations Clement explained the catch basin waste process: materials are sampled and tested by a contracted environmental firm, CMG, then taken to an approved landfill if cleared. He said the town had not encountered material rejected during testing. The sample testing and disposal process can be costly and are budgeted in the stormwater/construction drainage account.
Board members asked whether cistern maintenance belongs under DPW or the Fire Department budget. Clement and other staff said routine underground repairs and concrete work would likely fall to DPW, while monthly inspections and some operational checks have been handled by Fire. Clement said the department could accept cistern maintenance if the Select Board and fire chief agreed on a transfer of responsibility and an appropriate budget line.
The DPW also listed other FY26 capital priorities including a sweepers and pickups recently received, a repaired salt-shed roof, and replacement schedules for additional heavy trucks and loaders over the five‑year plan. Clement said the town keeps an equipment inventory and will provide it to board members on request.
Board members asked about parts supply chains and U.S. content for Freightliner trucks; Clement said Freightliner is an American company but some parts come from overseas.
The DPW presentation closed with the department confirming one recent resignation and active recruiting for the open position.
Looking ahead, the board will weigh the DPW capital requests alongside other departmental priorities as it assembles a balanced FY26 budget.
