CHARLTON — The Charlton Select Board voted not to support a $50,000 feasibility study for a new senior center at the former Charlton Furniture property, creating a split with the town’s Finance Committee just weeks ahead of the October 20 special town meeting.
The proposal — brought forward by the finance committee during a joint session at the Sept. 23 select board meeting — called for a motion to be added to the capital budget warrant article to fund the study using free cash. The funding would explore whether the Pickle property, the local nickname for the former furniture store site, could accommodate a modern facility for senior services. The Finance Committee Chair Henry Camosse said that the finance committee already voted unanimously to approve the study which would amend Article 4 to include it as Motion 5.
Board member Peter Lancette, who had spoken at length against the proposal at a previous meeting, reiterated his opposition. “We had an at-length discussion on this last meeting and we voted no,” he said.
Select Board Chair Karen Spiewak immediately corrected him, noting that while the topic had been discussed previously, no motion was made and no vote was taken. The exchange clarified that the board had only expressed opinions at the prior meeting — the vote was still pending.
Vice Chair Stephen Koronis made the motion not to support the funding, which passed 4–1, with Chair Spiewak the lone dissenter.
Finance Committee Chair Henry Camosse said the motion would still appear in the warrant as the Finance Committee’s final recommendation, but it would be marked as not supported by the Select Board.
The article — now referred to as Motion 5 under Article 4 of the town meeting warrant — will still appear on the October 20 agenda. Residents will have the final say.
