Charlton Planning Board Reopens Master Plan RFP, Advances Solar and Battery Decommissioning Bonds

CHARLTON — December 3, 2025 — Charlton Planning Board reopens master plan RFP and advances solar decommissioning bond negotiations. The board voted unanimously at its December 3 meeting to reissue a request for proposals for a town master plan update, targeting a December 17 publication date and a contractor selection by March 11, 2026, with a combined budget of up to $150,000 in town and state funds. The board also continued the contested North Sturbridge Road Solar Farm decommissioning bond to January 21 after a board member disclosed that a prior Zurich surety bond submitted by the applicant did not appear to exist when she called to verify it, and that the bond's Section 8 explicitly excluded hazardous waste liability; consultant Chris Nolan of Park Corporation and board counsel Attorney Christopher Alfin of Blattman, Dabrowski, Haberdy, and Silverstein agreed to pursue a two-track resolution — a site plan amendment for pollution insurance and a standalone $641,000 disassembly bond. The board separately approved decommissioning bond report amounts of $511,892.96 in present value, escalating to $832,274 over 20 years, for ZB Battery Development's two Griffin Road battery storage sites.