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Charlestown holds public hearing on $16,459,696 2025–26 budget; referendum set for June 2
Summary
The town of Charlestown held a brief public hearing May 5 on its proposed $16,459,696 fiscal 2025–26 budget. The town council will finalize the budget May 12 and voters will decide at a financial referendum on June 2; officials explained polling hours and mail‑ballot procedures.
The town of Charlestown held a public hearing Monday evening on its proposed $16,459,696 budget for fiscal 2025–26, and officials outlined the timeline that will take the proposal to voters in a June 2 financial referendum.
Town Moderator David M. Wilkinson opened the hearing and reviewed procedures, telling attendees that “10 electors shall constitute a quorum, but votes will only be taken if a quorum has 50.” He said sufficient copies of the budget were available and that the Town Council will make final revisions and adopt the budget at its May 12 regular meeting at 7 p.m. The moderator said the town clerk will submit ballot questions to the board of elections the following day and that the warrant for the all‑day referendum will be published by May 26.
Town Clerk Amy Rose Weinrich told the hearing that mail ballots “can be issued right up until Monday, June 2, depending on the circumstances.” Moderator Wilkinson said one polling location — the town hall — will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on referendum day and that mail ballots will be cross‑referenced with in‑person voters; he also said mail ballots will be processed through a DS200 tabulator and that draft results will be available at the close of polls.
During public comment, a resident identified as Ruth asked procedural questions about mail‑ballot deadlines and how to find transfers of assigned balances in the budget. Town Treasurer Patrick Romley answered that there is “no keyword or phrase” for assigned balances and that they appear under the “transfers in” line in the revenue section of the budget.
The hearing included two procedural motions (to open and later to close the public hearing); the motions were moved and seconded, and the moderator then adjourned the session.
Next steps specified at the hearing: the Town Council will adopt a final budget on May 12 for placement on the June 2 referendum ballot; the town clerk will submit questions to the board of elections the next day; and the warrant will be published by May 26.
