Charlton Promotes Two Officers, Adds Fire Engine Borrowing to Town Meeting Warrant

CHARLTON — April 8, 2025 — Charlton Select Board unanimously promotes two officers and adds fire engine borrowing article to annual town meeting warrant. The board voted Tuesday to elevate Sergeant Anthony Gribbins to police lieutenant and Officer Jason White to sergeant, both effective July 13, 2025, filling a vacancy created by Lieutenant Keith Kluyer's retirement. Police Chief Dowd, who interviewed six internal candidates alongside Deputy Chief Mason and Human Resource Director Lynn Dyer, said the early appointment dates are needed to begin a structured departmental transition. The board also reopened and reclosed the annual town meeting warrant to insert Article 5, a borrowing article for a new fire engine, which Charlton voters will consider at the May 19 town meeting — with a warrant posting deadline of April 24. In other action, the board approved borrowing notes for the fire substation and landfill cap projects, presented by Treasurer-Collector Virginia Porter, and declined to exercise the town's right of first refusal on approximately 18.46 acres of Chapter 61B land off Gould Road sought by St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Boston.