Charlton Select Board debates overnight parking policy for library spaces; no final vote

The Charlton Select Board spent the bulk of its meeting on Tuesday addressing a proposed overnight parking policy for municipal lots after Stefan Sage, chair of the Library Board of Trustees, asked the board to clarify the policy’s basis and purpose. The board did not adopt a policy and directed further review.

Sage said he was "a little confused" about the policy’s origins and asked for more information about why the overnight-parking rules were proposed. "I'm chair of the library board of trustees," Sage said, and requested background so trustees could comment with full context.

Select Board member Singer pressed that the proposal was both "reactive and proactive." He cited liability concerns — "the town is liable" — and said the policy was intended to address municipal exposure. Singer also alleged that there had been an agreement between the library and a resident's family that allowed preferential parking and said that arrangement was improper because "the library does not have the authority to enter into contractual agreements on behalf of the town for municipal parking lots." He described such a benefit for a private party as "grossly inappropriate, highly unethical." Those claims were made on the meeting record and discussed by members; no documentary contract was produced at the meeting.

Library trustees and some board members described the number of parking spaces that were required when the library expansion was funded and the practical use of the lots. Trustee Sage outlined exceptions he would support, including an overnight parking pass program for specified neighboring households and temporary vehicle use for library patrons who need Internet access outside building hours. "They would be required to have an overnight library parking pass on your dashboard," Sage said as an example of an administrable exception.

The board did not vote to adopt the policy. During the discussion Select Board member Singer moved to "move the question" to end prolonged debate; the chair called a five-minute recess. After the break trustees, staff and board members discussed next steps, including a suggestion to work with Andrew (town staff) and to consult town counsel before returning with a proposal or amendment. No formal vote to table or to adopt the policy was recorded.

The chair and staff said the matter will return to a future meeting for further consideration after consultation with counsel and staff; a specific timeline for that follow-up was not set at the meeting.