Charlton Voters Approve $1.1 Million Fire Engine Borrowing, Pass Six Zoning Changes

CHARLTON — May 19, 2025 — Charlton's annual Town Meeting approved borrowing $1.1 million for a new fire engine and passed six zoning bylaw amendments while rejecting a seventh on a 36-24 vote that fell short of the required two-thirds majority. Town Moderator Maureen Smith presided over the roughly three-hour meeting May 19 at Charlton-Dudley Regional School, with roughly 73 voters participating at peak. The FY2026 operating budget of approximately $42.8 million raised by taxation passed 73-4 without substantive debate; Finance Committee Vice Chair Lemire moved adoption of the Finance Committee's recommendation. The defeated Article 18, which would have reclassified dozens of outright-permitted uses across nine zoning districts into special permit or site plan review categories, drew the sharpest opposition: resident Robert Lemansky of Sunset Drive argued the changes stripped property owners of established rights, saying, "If I could do it last year, why can't I do it this year?" The six successful zoning articles included a new accessory dwelling unit framework aligned with state law and updated village district sidewalk construction standards requiring five-foot concrete sidewalks with granite curbing. Smith closed the meeting by announcing she will not seek a third term as moderator.