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 locations the state classifies as high‑impact.

Appointments, reaffirmations and personnel items

The board unanimously reaffirmed the previously planned appointments of Police Officer Richard Fairbanks and Police Officer David Fortier, and appointed Kenneth Poplawski as traffic constable. The board also reaffirmed the promotion of Owen Myers to a facilities laborer position after an internal posting following the departure of a custodian.

The board approved appointments to several volunteer bodies: Linda Walker, Diane O’Regan and Edward Cyszlag to the Council on Aging; Brian Josty to the Lakes and Ponds Committee (term to 06/30/2026); and Erling Murray as an alternate to the Activities Council (term to 06/30/2026). All of those votes were recorded as unanimous.

Inspection fee appeal and other administrative votes

The board reviewed an inspectional services fee appeal filed by contractor James Shurer regarding a 06/17/2025 building permit for a residential deck at 5 Elliott Drive. Under the department’s posted fee schedule (a board‑approved schedule dated 05/23/2023 states there are no refunds for work not executed), staff recommended refunding the fee because no permit work was performed and the circumstances were unique. The board voted unanimously to refund the contractor.

The board voted to open the warrant and adopt a calendar for the special town meeting and related finance committee and joint meetings (timeline summarized in packet). The board also unanimously adopted a cannabis social equity policy to satisfy guidance from the Cannabis Control Commission and approved a grievance procedure and reasonable accommodation policy required under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Town updates and community items

Town staff reported construction progress at the new fire substation (footings, foundation walls, drainage installed and Heritage Drive being reestablished) and that only base‑coating of pavement is planned until building work is complete. Staff also announced the town received a $220,000 Green Communities grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to fund weatherization upgrades at Charlton Elementary School, the Charlton Public Library and the Sewer Department.

Old Home Day organizers Kathleen Walker and Debbie Anderson briefed the board on the Aug. 31 event—saying the committee expects about 100 vendors, a soapbox derby, frog‑jumping contest, Scottish Highlanders events, fireworks and an awards ceremony—and invited residents to attend.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes (07/08/2025): Outcome: approved; tally recorded in meeting: yes 3, abstain 1, outcome carries. - Reaffirm appointment: Police Officer Richard Fairbanks: Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Reaffirm appointment: Police Officer David Fortier: Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Appoint Kenneth Poplawski, traffic constable: Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Reaffirm promotion/appointment: Owen Myers to facilities laborer (effective 07/28/2025): Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Appoint Council on Aging members Linda Walker, Diane O’Regan, Edward Cyszlag (terms as recorded): Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Appoint Brian Josty, Lakes and Ponds Committee (term to 06/30/2026): Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Appoint Erling Murray, Activities Council alternate (term to 06/30/2026): Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Authorize town to work with MassDOT on all‑way stop conversions at Stafford St/Center Depot Rd and Center Depot/City Depot/HK Davis Rd (one or both): Outcome: authorized (unanimous). - Refund inspectional services fee to contractor James Shurer: Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Open warrant and approve warrant calendar/timeline for special town meeting: Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Adopt cannabis social equity policy (to satisfy Cannabis Control Commission): Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Adopt ADA grievance procedure and reasonable accommodation policy: Outcome: approved (unanimous).

Discussion and context

Select Board Chair Steve and Select Board member Pete participated in several of the votes and discussion points. Board members asked about snow‑plow and sanding operations on Stafford Street and whether a four‑way stop would impede municipal winter maintenance. Peel and other staff described steps to mitigate winter impacts, including advance public notices, temporary signage and a phased outreach approach.

Fire Department introductions and staffing

Fire leadership introduced two recent hires during open forum: Captain Jonathan Bosquet, who the chief said has more than 21 years in the fire service and will oversee the department’s training division; and Firefighter‑Paramedic Gary Lamont, who has primarily worked in EMS and plans to attend the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Captain Bosquet said he has “implemented a senior outreach program” in a previous department and intends to propose a similar outreach effort in Charlton this fall.

What’s next

The board adjourned open session and entered executive session under M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and litigation (Charlton Highway Union and Charlton Permanent Firefighters Association) and declared that releasing certain information in open session could be detrimental to the town’s bargaining or litigation position. The board said it would return to open session for a goals and objectives workshop after executive session and set its next regular meeting for September 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Ending

No new formal actions were taken during the public comment period beyond the items listed above. Several routine and ceremonial agenda items (announcements, Old Home Day planning, community awards) were presented but did not require further board action at this meeting.