Charlton Board of Health Reorganizes Leadership, Targets Rat Colony on Route 20

CHARLTON -- April 7, 2026, Charlton's Board of Health voted unanimously Tuesday to reorganize its leadership and heard an urgent report on a rat colony of an estimated 300 to 400 animals near the Dunkin' Donuts dumpsters on Route 20. Health Director James Philbrook described plans for a backhoe excavation of underground burrows by contractor Jeff Simons, with licensed pest applicators from Dave's Pest Control on site and a plastic containment fence to funnel displaced animals into sealed collection barrels; YATCO, the adjacent property owner, will fund the operation. Philbrook stressed that no rats have been found inside the Dunkin' Donuts building itself, attributing the infestation to dumpster food waste, an adjacent vacant building used as shelter, and improperly covered trash at nearby apartment buildings. On the Flint Road Landfill, Philbrook reported that MassDEP-certified Ondrick soils will begin arriving at 54 Flint Road on April 21, with a MassDEP representative expected on site for the first delivery. In the reorganization vote, Chair Matt Gagner was retained in his role for an additional six months, Member Jon Sanborn was elevated to vice chair, and former Vice Chair Steve Zeveska moved to member, all in favor.