Charlton sewer customers could face higher rates as operating costs outpace revenue. A projection reviewed by the Water & Sewer Commission showed a near-term deficit of about $326,000 and a roughly $800,000 deficit by 2029.

One commissioner suggested an increase of about 15%, but explicitly made no motion. No rate or fee changed.

The Select Board also opened the warrant for an October 19 Special Town Meeting and declined to use or assign Charlton’s purchase option on approximately 77.8 acres off A. Young Road. That allows an existing private sale to proceed, but it does not approve any development plan.

This summary is based on the August 11 Select Board meeting, August 5 Water & Sewer Commission meeting, August 10 Recreation Commission meeting. Approved minutes were not yet posted.

The financial projection showed sewer expenses rising while revenue remains largely flat. Charlton’s average annual sewer charge was described as about $910, compared with roughly $695 to $1,500 among eight nearby systems.

Even a model that included recurring increases showed about $2 million in cumulative deficits through 2033, according to the commission’s discussion. Those figures do not include a future treatment-plant renovation or other major capital work.

Commissioners discussed possible changes to residential and commercial charges, high-strength-waste surcharges and tie-in fees, which members said have not increased since 2003.

Before voting, the commission wants to review the financial model and confirm whether changing the fees requires a public hearing or another legal step. The cost of the next sewer-operations contract is also unknown. The current Veolia contract was described as expiring October 31.

The commission paused work on a new sewer-operations request for proposals.

Town Administrator Andrew Golas recommended a posted workshop with the commission and McClure Engineering to make sure the town follows the correct procurement process. No workshop date was set.

No replacement for Veolia was selected.

Veolia reported several operating problems:

Staff also reported that a force-main break on Burlingame Road was repaired and the resulting sewer overflow was reported to MassDEP.

The Select Board unanimously declined to exercise or assign Charlton’s Chapter 61 right of first refusal on parcels 21-A-9 and 22-B-1 off A. Young Road.

The decision allows the owners’ existing private sale to proceed.

Bay Colony Properties had asked the town to assign the purchase right to Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary. Its proposal called for Capen Hill to retain part of the property and transfer 30% to Bay Colony as a buffer for a possible industrial building on adjoining land in Oxford.

The owners opposed that proposal and supported completing their agreement with local buyers, according to a letter in the official meeting packet.

The buyers described an early concept involving modest single-family homes, public trails and permanently protected open space. The number of homes and conservation boundaries remain undetermined. Watch the concept presentation.

The Board’s vote did not approve a subdivision or construction. Any development would still require separate reviews and permits, and the plan can change.

The Select Board unanimously opened the Special Town Meeting warrant and scheduled the meeting for Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m. at Charlton Middle School. Watch the vote.

The schedule calls for the Board to close the warrant and review requests September 8. The Finance Committee is scheduled to review financial items September 16, with the warrant and motions finalized September 22 and posted by October 1.

Opening the warrant does not approve any article or guarantee that a proposal will appear on the final warrant.

The Water & Sewer Commission unanimously waived tie-in fees for Griffin Road properties whose owners signed authorizations for a privately funded water-main extension.

The roughly 1,300-foot extension from Route 20 is intended to serve properties affected by PFAS.

The fee waiver does not replace construction permits. The applicant still needs approvals from Charlton and Southbridge, which regulates Charlton’s public drinking-water system. The applicant hopes to connect participating properties by the end of October. Watch the vote and permit explanation.

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