Charlton Board of Health Reorganizes as New Chair Takes Over Before May Election

CHARLTON — April 8, 2025 — Charlton Board of Health closes Mass Pike East for six hours over a grease clog, reorganizes leadership. Board of Health Agent Jim Philbrook reported that a solid-grease clog in the Mass Pike East rest stop sewer line forced a roughly six-hour closure on a recent Sunday, from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., requiring the involvement of Charlton Police, Massachusetts State Police, MassDOT, a private contractor, and MassDEP. Philbrook authorized the reopening after sterilization, with telephone approval from board member Matt Gagner, who confirmed that only a board member can authorize reopening after a health closure. The board also voted unanimously to reorganize, elevating Gagner to chair and Steve Zaveska to vice chair, effective immediately, ahead of a contested May 5 town election. On the Flint Road landfill capping project, consultant Gary Magnuson reported DEP issued its file number and six engineering comments last week; Magnuson said he will seek a Conservation Commission continuance at the April 9 meeting and expects approval in late April or early May, with the project going out to bid after that.