Board of Selectmen 9/14/26

The Freetown Board of Selectmen convened on September 14, 2026, to address a wide range of municipal business, recreation plans, infrastructure projects, and upcoming town meeting warrant articles. Early in the meeting, the board discussed park planning at Long Pond and KR Field with youth sports representatives. After hearing feedback from Samantha Simmons, president of Apponequet Football Club, regarding logistical and practice concerns, the selectmen voted unanimously to keep the football field at Long Pond in its existing orientation rather than rotating it. The board also approved allowing Freetown Lakeville Softball to encompass the fourth field at KR Field and remove obsolete fencing, while confirming license agreements would be updated via addendum.

Planning and public safety topics featured prominently. Town Planner Nancy Durfee presented proposals regarding federal grant funding for a temporary mock roundabout at the Assonet Four Corners intersection, which the board unanimously accepted following public comments and endorsements from local police leadership. The board also voted to create a Master Plan Implementation Committee and approved its charge, while reviewing proposed zoning bylaws regarding data centers and contractor bays. Addressing residential traffic safety concerns, the selectmen voted to install a three-way stop at the intersection of Algonquin Way and Wamsutta Way following testimony from neighborhood residents about speeding.

In administrative and financial matters, the selectmen awarded the contract for North Main Street sidewalk reconstruction to Dandel Construction Inc. for $184,791 and approved designer services contract amendments totaling $1.8 million with Johnson Roberts Associates for the Council on Aging and Library community building. The board authorized Checkmark Accounting to handle employee tax review and preparation services to correct municipal W-2 errors. Additional approvals included setting a $16 hourly pay rate for a grant-funded library assistant, approving several municipal appointments, assigning union negotiation roles for 2027, and finalizing articles for the November 9, 2026 Special Town Meeting warrant before adjourning into executive session.

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