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Charlton Select Board places resident audit request on next agenda, approves licenses, contract and two utility pole locations
Summary
The Charlton Select Board unanimously agreed July 7 to place a resident's request for a letter urging the state to implement a voter‑approved independent audit on the next meeting agenda; the board also approved two special alcohol licenses, awarded a $509,100 pavement contract, appointed a Water & Sewer Commission member, and granted two pole‑location petitions.
During its July 7 meeting, the Charlton Select Board took several routine actions and agreed to consider a resident’s request related to a statewide audit question.
Public comment: Bonnie Seifert, a lifelong Charlton resident, asked the board to send a letter to Massachusetts legislative leadership urging implementation of the independent audit approved by voters in November 2024, noting that 70.24% of Charlton voters supported the measure and nearly 72% supported it statewide. A board member moved to support the request and to place a draft letter on the board’s next meeting agenda; staff said they would prepare letterhead for board approval. The board voted by consensus to place the item on the next agenda rather than send the letter immediately.
Appointments: The board considered a joint appointment with the Water & Sewer Commission to fill an open seat and approved the appointment of Paul Gagner to serve until the May 2027 annual town election. The boards conducted a roll‑call vote as required for the joint appointment and recorded affirmative votes.
Licenses and contracts: The board unanimously approved a special alcohol license for Monarch Orchards (requested for Aug. 22’s Touch a Truck event) and a special alcohol license for a wedding submitted by Jared Brunel and Colleen Cashman for Sept. 26 at Camp Jocelyn/Barton Center. The board also awarded the pavement resurfacing contract for various streets to Massachusetts Bridal Stone for $509,100 for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 period after DPW review and recommendation.
Utility pole petitions: In two consecutive public hearings, the board opened notice and reviewed petitions from Massachusetts Electric Company (DBA National Grid) and Verizon New England to install jointly owned poles for new residential service — pole 23‑50 on Baker Pond Road and pole 7‑60 on Sampson Road. National Grid representative Robert Williams spoke for the Baker Pond petition. No abutter concerns were recorded in writing or raised at the hearings; both petitions were approved and the hearings were closed by unanimous votes.
The board also set a future agenda item for August to review fees under the board’s control (building, clerk and other local fees) and adjourned. The next regular Select Board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
