Charlton voters approved a $50,000 feasibility study for a potential senior center on Oct. 20, 2025, voting 179 in favor, 114 opposed and 2 abstaining on the motion to transfer the funds from free cash.

The vote authorizes only a feasibility study — property assessment, 21E environmental report, appraisal and related due diligence — and does not obligate the town to buy any property. Supporters said the study is a first step to address a fast-growing senior population; opponents said the town should prioritize other capital needs and avoid spending free cash before securing community support for a purchase.

The motion to appropriate $50,000 from free cash was moved by select board member Henry Camasi and backed by the finance committee, which voted unanimously to recommend the item. The select board, however, voted not to support the motion at its prior meeting; during town meeting the board chair said four members opposed moving forward citing affordability and competing capital needs.

Residents who spoke in favor said the senior population in Charlton is growing quickly and that the current senior center is insufficient. Karen Spiewak, a select board member and liaison to the feasibility committee, told voters the Charlton Furniture property has not had a feasibility study and that conducting one is “best practice.”

Opponents raised several practical concerns. Several speakers asked why the town should pay for a property review before deciding whether to buy, and whether in-house inspectors could provide an adequate preliminary review. Town Administrator Mister Golis said any purchase likely would require a debt-exclusion vote; he told voters that a purchase would not be funded automatically and would need a separate ballot action if the town decides to proceed.

The finance committee chair explained the committee’s unanimous support, saying $50,000 was available from new-growth funds and that a feasibility study is the prudent first step to determine whether the property can meet program needs and budget constraints. Supporters repeatedly emphasized that the appropriation would not change current property taxes and that any later purchase would be subject to further voter approval.

With the motion approved, the money will fund the feasibility work; if the study shows the property is suitable and town leaders decide to pursue purchase, that step would require separate appropriation and, likely, a debt-exclusion ballot question.

Residents who addressed the meeting included longtime Charlton residents and committee members who described seniors’ needs, the composition of the feasibility committee and the committee’s methods. Several speakers suggested alternative approaches, including targeting other parcels with water and sewer access. The discussion included questions about what the study would cover, and the town administrator confirmed the study would include property systems, environmental review and renovation cost estimates.

The vote followed lengthy public comment and an exchange between the select board and the finance committee. The select board’s majority view that the town could not yet afford the project remained on the record; the finance committee and a number of residents urged the town to take the smaller, nonbinding first step of funding the study.