Charlton Planning Board continues contested Beach Middle Road subdivision amid septic and fire access disputes

CHARLTON — May 20, 2026 — Charlton Planning Board continued four active applications and reorganized its leadership at a lengthy May 20 session. The board voted unanimously to continue the C.R. Hansen, LLC Beach Middle Road subdivision hearing to June 17, directing special town counsel Attorney Christopher Alvin of Blackman, Bobrowski, Aberdeen & Silverstein to draft a set of conditions addressing an unlocated septic system in the road corridor, fire apparatus access, and title rights currently contested in Worcester Superior Court — with the Fire Chief warning that a 40-ton ladder truck could crash through an undiscovered tank. A site plan application from Jesse & Jesse Properties, LLC to build a 7,200-square-foot contractor rental bay building at 360 Worcester Road was continued to July 15 to allow outstanding Graves Engineering comments and Conservation Commission coordination to be resolved. An informal discussion with property owner Larry McKissick about parking 100 cars for a vehicle transport tenant on his Griffin Road industrial parcel ended with the board directing him to file a formal site plan application, over his objections that his existing junk-dealer and used-car licenses already authorized the use. The board also accepted the withdrawal without prejudice of the GM Properties Villages multi-family application at 35 North Main Street and declined to exercise its right of first refusal on a 4.2-acre Chapter 61B lot release from Saint Mark Coptic Church on Gould Road. At reorganization, the former vice chair, identified as Patsy, was elected chair; Lainey was elected vice chair; and Bob was elected secretary and reappointed as CMRPC delegate. The board formed a two-member subcommittee — Patsy and Bill — to conduct initial screening of Planning Director applicants, targeting a first-round interview before the June 3 meeting.