Charlton Select Board approves all‑way stop studies, adopts equity and ADA policies and reaffirms appointments

CHARLTON, Mass. — At its Aug. 12 meeting in Town Hall Meeting Room 1, the Charlton Select Board voted unanimously to authorize the town to pursue MassDOT recommendations to convert two traffic intersections to all‑way stop control and adopted a set of municipal policies required by state regulators, while also reaffirming multiple town appointments and approving a contractor refund.

The actions are part of a broader packet of administrative and public‑safety items the board approved in a roughly 51‑minute open session before adjourning to executive session. The board also accepted news that the town received a $220,000 Green Communities grant for weatherization work at town buildings and heard an update on fire substation construction and Old Home Day planning.

MassDOT safety recommendation and board authorization

Staff member Nick Peel presented MassDOT and consultant findings that evaluated two Charlton locations for all‑way stop control: the Stafford Street/Center Depot Road intersection (known locally as Gauthier’s Four Corners) and the Center Depot Road/City Depot Road/HK Davis Road intersection. Peel said the study identified a notable number of incidents that could be mitigated by all‑way stops and urged the board to authorize moving forward with one or both intersections.

“The number that stood out to me was 32 correctable incidents with an all‑way stop,” Peel said. After discussion about winter maintenance, signage and public outreach, the board voted to authorize staff to proceed with MassDOT to implement one or both of the recommended all‑way stop controls. The board noted MassDOT would supply signs and materials; the town would handle roadway markings and any on‑site conversion work.

Why it matters: the Stafford Street intersection has been flagged repeatedly in regional crash analyses and by CMRPC, and town officials said the change aims to reduce injury crashes in…