Articles of note: There is a petitioned article that would have the members of the Charlestown Fire Department elect the fire chief. The fire chief would appoint the firefighters. If approved, the change would go into effect one year from the date of the vote. Another article would decrease the number of people on the Selectboard to three. Yet another would amend the town’s zoning ordinance to prohibit new manufactured housing parks. Another proposed zoning amendment would allow multifamily housing as a permitted use by special exemption in Zone D and a permitted use in Zone E.

Contested races: Peggy Jellie and Patricia Chaffee are vying for a three-year term as town clerk/tax collector. Three people are vying for two three-year seats on the Planning Board: Stacy A. Hassett, Alan D. Putnam and Bill Rescsanski. 

Budgets and spending articles: The proposed municipal budget is $6.4 million, which includes an operating budget of $5.4 million, as well as $551,000 for water and $430,000 for sewer. Last year’s budget was $6.2 million. The proposed operating budget for Fall Mountain Regional School District, which includes Charlestown, is $35.1 million, which is down slightly from $35.8 million last year. Fall Mountain also is proposing a new teachers contract, which includes an increase in wages and benefits of $479,000 for next year.

When, where and how to vote: Charlestown will hold its Town Meeting ballot voting on March 14 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. at 223 Old Springfield Road. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Charlestown postponed its Town Meeting voting until Tuesday, March 28, according to a Monday email to residents. The time and place remain the same. Voting is scheduled for 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Charlestown Senior Center, 223 Old Springfield Road. 

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