Charlton Select Board Closes Town Meeting Warrant, Approves Draft Budget Framework

CHARLTON — March 25, 2025 — Charlton Select Board closes Annual Town Meeting warrant and previews a draft budget with three new public safety posts. The board voted unanimously at its March 25 meeting to shut the warrant for the May 19 Annual Town Meeting, locking in 12 standard general government articles and 10 Planning Board zoning articles still working through process. Town Administrator Andrew Golas presented a draft budget that funds an administrative sergeant and an additional emergency telecommunicator for police and an EMS officer for fire and EMS, while holding general government staffing at status quo and absorbing a projected 19 percent healthcare cost increase. Finance Director Ashley Oberze presented the town's first-ever Annual Comprehensive Financial Report — a 123-page document submitted to the Government Finance Officers Association for its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting — noting the town's auditor "has never lost one." The board also unanimously appointed Nick Schwaner as a highway light equipment operator and accepted a retirement notice from Robert Anderson, who is leaving after 28 years of town service.