CHARLESTOWN –– A deadlock over appointments to the Zoning Board of Review that threatened to open the town and any board decisions to legal challenge ended last night with compromise appointments.

Last month the Town Council refused to make any appointments leaving the board with no alternates and four full members — one fewer than required to hear an application.

Under the compromise, the council appointed William F. Meyer to a five-year term and Richard H. Frank and Scott Northup to one-year terms as alternates.

The vote was unanimous.

All appointments are to expire on July 31.

A third alternate seat remains vacant.

The deadlock occurred last month when the council, in a 2-2 vote — one of its five seats is vacant — declined to reappoint incumbent Milton K. Krantz. Later, with an appointment still needed, Krantz withdrew his name from reconsideration.

“I had hoped to retire when I was ready, not when a vengeful, spiteful, mean-spirited Mr. Mageau decided that he would get even because of personal animosity toward me,” Krantz said in referring to acting council President James M. Mageau.

Krantz, who served on the board for more than a decade while at times battling serious illnesses, asked voters to “remember my actions in November, and remove Mr. Mageau from this council.

“I look forward to returning to public service after the November elections.”

Mageau denied that politics played any role in his decision. He pointed out an erroneous comment that Krantz made at a council meeting regarding the distance between wells and septic systems under new state wastewater regulations on the Salt Pond critical resource area, and nine Zoning Board decisions that had been successfully challenged in court or are currently being challenged.

When asked why he was holding Krantz individually responsible for decisions made by a board, Mageau replied that “he’s the only one who is up for reappointment.”

“Over the years, a number of boards and commissions have lost sight that they are public servants,” Mageau said, adding the town boards are to “provide relief . . . if necessary.”

Instead, he said, they are holding “themselves like they are judge and jury.”

ALSO LAST NIGHT, the council scheduled a public hearing next Monday at 7 p.m. on eight proposed amendments to the Town Charter.

The hearing is just a formality as the amendments and language have already been set by the council.

The council also scheduled a joint meeting with the ad hoc Withdrawal Update Committee for Aug. 25 to discuss the committee’s recommendations concerning the Chariho Regional School District.

The council had canceled a previously scheduled meeting. Council members, particularly Mageau, criticized the committee for releasing its recommendations to the newspaper before the council could review them.

Mageau had also accused the committee of violating its charter by exploring withdrawal options.

In other business, the council continued two controversial issues to its next meeting.

Councilwoman Katharine H. Waterman asked that a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission on a fee hike at Ninigret Park be tabled, saying it was “inappropriately advertised” and had not been discussed with several interested parties.

The commission recommended charging organizers of special events held at the town’s Ninigret Park 3 percent of their “total gross receipts” and to “provide revenue statements to be certified by a CPA” (certified public accountant). The fee would be revised next year.

Originally, the commission recommended a 5 percent charge.

Currently, the town charges a $2,500 daily fee.

marmenta@projo.com