Charlton Select Board approves personnel appointments, Buffenville Lake agreement and adds patrol officer

The Town of Charlton Select Board on July 8, 2025 unanimously approved multiple personnel appointments, accepted a resignation from the Council on Aging, authorized a supplemental agreement with the U.S. Army for radio equipment at the Buffenville Lake Ranger Station, and approved adding an additional patrol officer within the already‑approved FY26 budget.

Appointments and resignations

- The board approved minutes of the regular meeting of June 10, 2025 (motion passed unanimously).

- Shane Gatsky was appointed to the highway department as a light equipment operator with a recommended start date of July 21, 2025. The appointment is conditional on reference checks, a background and driver record check, a pre‑employment physical and a drug screen. (Motion passed unanimously.)

- Keith Kluder was appointed as a special police officer with a term expiration of June 30, 2026. (Motion passed unanimously.)

- Jamie Fuentes was appointed as a traffic constable with a term expiration of June 30, 2026. (Motion passed unanimously.)

- Paul Russell was appointed as a traffic constable with a term expiration of June 30, 2026. (Motion passed unanimously.)

- The board accepted the resignation of James Russell from the Council on Aging effective July 2, 2025; the board asked that a letter thanking him for his service be sent. (Motion passed unanimously.)

Buffenville Lake supplemental agreement

The board approved and signed a supplemental agreement with the U.S. Army allowing installation, maintenance, repair and removal of an antenna on the chimney at the Buffenville Lake Ranger Station and a radio receiver at the ranger station. The new agreement extends authority through March 31, 2030. The board voted unanimously to approve and sign the document.

Police staffing and budget note

Chief Dowd asked the board to permit hiring an additional patrol officer within the existing FY26 budget. He told the board the extra position would help cover absences and reduce costly overtime. “When I train people or when somebody’s out of work for whatever reason, oftentimes it indicates that I have to pay overtime. So having an extra body kinda fills some of those voids that were created,” he said. The finance committee reviewed and endorsed the proposed funding plan. The board voted unanimously to approve adding the patrol officer as described; the chief said insurance costs are the only possible remaining variable.

Executive session

The board voted to enter executive session under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A, section 21(a) to discuss strategy related to collective bargaining for the permanent fire fighters association (IAFF Local 4423). Roll call votes were recorded: Steve — aye; Prussia — aye; David — aye; Karen — aye. The board then moved to executive session.

Votes at a glance (approved unanimously unless noted)

- Approve minutes (06/10/2025) — approved. - Appoint Shane Gatsky, Light Equipment Operator, start 07/21/2025 — approved (pending checks). - Appoint Keith Kluder, Special Police Officer (term to 06/30/2026) — approved. - Appoint Jamie Fuentes, Traffic Constable (term to 06/30/2026) — approved. - Appoint Paul Russell, Traffic Constable (term to 06/30/2026) — approved. - Accept resignation of James Russell, Council on Aging (effective 07/02/2025) — accepted. - Approve supplemental agreement, Buffenville Lake Ranger Station (through 03/31/2030) — approved. - Add one patrol officer within FY26 budget (funding plan endorsed by finance committee) — approved. - Enter executive session under M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a) for collective bargaining (IAFF Local 4423) — approved (recorded roll call).

Ending: The board completed routine personnel actions and authorized the town to continue the existing radio/antenna agreement at Buffenville Lake; the police chief received approval to add a patrol officer inside the current fiscal year budget.