Charlton’s October 20 Town Meeting had approximately 300 residents in attendance with many eager to vote on Articles 10 and 12 regarding the carrying of loaded or unloaded firearms in town buildings such as schools and administrative buildings. A citizens’ petition had been presented for Article 12 requesting that municipal buildings be exempt from the firearms prohibition as follows: Exempt Municipal Buildings as Prohibited Areas Pursuant to Section 124 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. To see if the Town will vote to exempt Town municipal administrative buildings and property from being defined as a “prohibited area” for the possession of a firearm, loaded or unloaded, as defined in section 121 of Chapter 140, under the provisions of Section 124 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, as outlined in G.L. c. 269, Section 10. Or take any other action relative thereto. The article was defeated with a tally of 126 voting “no” to the exemption and 101 voting “yes.” The Selectboard also sponsored Article 10 that stated: To see if the Town will vote pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 4, to exempt Town administrative buildings or offices from being classified as a “prohibited area” for the possession of firearms as outlined in G.L. c. 269, Section 10(k)(2)(i); or take any action relative thereto or thereon. This article was also voted down thereby prohibiting firearm possession in town buildings by a vote of 137 to 133. According to Town Administrator Andrew Golas, “there was much impassioned discussion on both sides of the issue.”

In other business, voters did not pass an article to transfer $1.7 million of stabilization funds to the town operational budget. In May the original projection was for $800,000 but the current number was closer to $5 million including the school budget. Town Administrator Golas stated that the town is still in a healthy position for its current budget but the transfer was to assist in bolstering future needs. “Health care costs have risen dramatically,” he said, “in May we were given a 20% cost increase projection but then in October were provided an additional 20% increase. It was a $450,000 liability that we had to account for. We are one of 72 towns in the State Insurance Trust Fund that includes health insurance premiums and medical expenses.”

Voters also approved funds to go toward the Flint Road landfill-capping project. The landfill was closed years ago, but was never capped and the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection wanted the landfill capping to be in compliance with state law. Four years ago, voters approved funding of an additional $500,000 for the capping. After awaiting Board of Health approvals, the project ran into PFAS contamination issues necessitating further testing and compliance. PFAS, otherwise known as “forever chemicals,” or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals used for decades to make products resistant to water, heat, and stains. They are human-made chemicals that can build up in the environment and in people’s bodies. Health concerns are linked to PFAS exposure and studies show they can persist in food, drinking water, consumer products, and wildlife which has led to concerns about potential health impacts, including increased risks for certain cancers, liver disease, immune system dysfunction, and altered metabolism.  They do not break down easily in the environment. They have been used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products including non-stick (Teflon) cookware, stain-resistant carpets and furniture, water-resistant clothing, and certain food packaging. They have also been used in firefighting clothing and firefighting foams. After monitoring reports were submitted to the Mass. DEP, it was determined that capping can now go forward.

For a complete list of Town Meeting articles voted on, please visit the town website www.townofcharlton.net