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Select Board schedules special town meeting Jan. 12 on citizen petition to exempt municipal buildings from firearm prohibition

Charlton Board of Select Meeting · December 10, 2025

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Summary

The board set a special town meeting for Jan. 12, 2026 at Charlton Middle School to consider a citizen petition to exempt town administrative buildings, grounds, or parking from certain firearm-prohibition provisions under state law.

The Charlton Select Board voted Dec. 9 to schedule a special town meeting for Jan. 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Charlton Middle School to consider a citizen-petition warrant article asking the town to vote, pursuant to state law, to exempt town administrative buildings, offices, grounds, or parking areas from being classified as prohibited areas for possession of firearms.

Town Administrator Andrew reported the petition included more than 200 verified signatures and provided the drafted warrant language. The petition asks voters whether the town will vote under General Laws chapter 4, section 4 to exempt specified town property from the firearms-prohibition language referenced in the petition. The board moved, seconded and approved setting the special town meeting date; staff had already reserved the school and the article will be the only item on the warrant that evening.

Why it matters: A citizen-initiated warrant article gives town voters the chance to decide whether municipal buildings and grounds should be exempt from specified state firearms prohibitions. The board’s role at this meeting was to set the date and location; the issue will be decided by voters at the special town meeting if the article remains on the warrant.

Details - Meeting: Jan. 12, 2026, 7:00 PM, Charlton Middle School (only warrant article that evening). - Petition: Verified citizen petition with over 200 signatures; draft warrant language references General Laws ch. 4, § 4 and G.L. ch. 269 (sections cited in petition). - Board action: Motion made to set the special town meeting date; motion carried unanimously.

Next steps Staff will finalize and post the warrant and public notice as required for the special town meeting. Voters will decide the petition during the January session.