Charlton Select Board approves Special Town Meeting warrant, deems neighbor's dog dangerous

CHARLTON — September 23, 2025 — Charlton Select Board approves eleven-article Special Town Meeting warrant and unanimously declares a neighbor's dog dangerous. At the September 23 meeting, the board and Finance Committee jointly recommended all articles for the October 20 Special Town Meeting at Charlton Middle School, the largest item being Article 5, which directs $2.5 million — $1.5 million to the general stabilization fund and $1 million to the capital stabilization fund — funded by approximately $5 million in new growth revenue attributed primarily to Amazon personal property taxes, well above the town's budgeted projection of $800,000. The two boards split on one capital item: a Finance Committee proposal to add $50,000 from free cash for a senior center feasibility study at the Charlton Furniture property; the Select Board voted 2-1 not to support it, though the motion will still go before voters. On the dangerous dog hearing, Animal Control Officer Sears recommended the board declare Gia, owned by Maureen McGinty of 185 Berry Corner Road, a dangerous dog after a second escape onto a neighbor's property on September 2 — just three days after a 90-day monitoring period ended — with the board ordering the dog on a leash at all times until a secondary containment system is installed.