Charlton approves multiple capital appropriations; town hears details on police firearm replacement and sewer headworks project

Charlton — Voters at the Town of Charlton meeting approved a slate of capital appropriations under Article 4 and separate borrowing and capital items across subsequent motions, covering building repairs, public-safety infrastructure, vehicles and sewer-plant improvements.

The first Article 4 motion bundled multiple capital items and was presented as a single table of separate appropriations. It included $200,000 from free cash for structural repairs to the Number 2 Schoolhouse (roof replacement, roof shoring, exterior improvements, chimney repointing and foundation work); $250,000 from free cash for a town-wide public safety radio system project; $50,000 for town hall improvements; $80,000 for technology replacements; $10,000 for library generator design plans; and $50,000 for replacement of the fire pond cistern pipe and screens. The finance committee and board of selectmen supported the motion. Voters approved the package by ballot; the transcript records 47 in the affirmative and 5 opposed (52 voters total).

A second motion under Article 4 authorized $255,000 from free cash for replacement police cruisers and related technology and $30,000 from free cash for replacement police firearms. That motion prompted a substantive…