Charlton Select Board Approves Pole Permit, Address Policy, and Three Appointments

CHARLTON -- February 25, 2025, Charlton Select Board approves utility pole permit and adopts street address numbering policy in routine session. The board voted unanimously on all eight items at its February 25 meeting, including approval of a National Grid and Verizon New England request to install one joint-owned pole on North Side Road approximately 3,349 feet northeast of the Route 20 intersection to serve a new residential connection. The board also formally adopted a house numbering policy drafted by Building Commissioner Muskis following authorization at a Special Town Meeting last fall. Rebecca Cook was appointed to the Council on Aging to fill the seat vacated by James Howard, with a term through June 30, 2027; Matt Power was seated on the Old Home Day Committee; and Jesse Nye and Anthony Gerbens were named as the Fire and Police department members, respectively, of the Insurance Advisory Committee at the request of Finance Director Ashley Arborza. In his administrator's report, the Town Administrator flagged that new state clean energy regulations under drafting by the Department of Energy Resources would require municipalities to use a consolidated permitting process for generation projects under 25 megawatts and approve qualifying applications within one year, with limited authority to reject them.