Charlton Select Board Elects Spierak Chair in Contested Reorganization Vote

CHARLTON — May 13, 2025 — Charlton Select Board returns Karen Spierak to the chair in a contested 3-1 reorganization vote. The board reorganized at its May 13 meeting, electing Spierak chair over fellow member David Singer, who had been nominated on the basis of a seniority-rotation tradition; Steve Coronas was elected vice chair and Basha clerk. The board also accepted resignations from two Zoning Board of Appeals members — Eric Falcone, who is leaving town, and Shane Woodson, who cited scheduling conflicts — approved a Class I dealer license transfer from McGee GMC to Butler GMC, and cleared the way for St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Boston to purchase approximately 14.35 acres off Gould Road and Seminary Road by declining to exercise the town's Chapter 61B right of first refusal. Chair Spierak noted with displeasure that the property had already been publicly posted as sale-pending before the board voted: "You put the cart before the horse." Town Administrator Andrew reported that site work is underway at the new Oxford Road fire station, with blasting for ledge removal expected within two weeks and a formal groundbreaking set for June 18.