Board of Selectmen Meeting 2/9/26

The Freetown Board of Selectmen met on Monday, February 9, 2026, for an open session meeting. Early in the proceedings, the Board accepted a $50 donation from Susan Seamo to the Council on Aging and acknowledged an unexpected $20,000 Reserve Fund transfer request from Highway Department head Chuck to replace a failed engine on the town's heavily utilized F-450 truck. The Board also approved $116,848.50 in ambulance abatements and write-offs for January 2026, as well as two separate agreements totaling approximately $10,000 each with Apex for updating subdivision rules and regulations and reviewing stormwater management compliance under MS4. Annual approval was granted for Bristol County Mosquito Control's aerial spraying operations scheduled between April and October 2026.

A significant portion of the meeting addressed preliminary regional school budgets for fiscal year 2027. Officials discussed the Apponequet/regional school district budget, which projects a 13% ($1.7 million) increase for Freetown—rising from $13.4 million in FY2026 to an estimated $15.1 million in FY2027—driven by rising healthcare costs, salaries, and decreased state Chapter 70 aid. Town Administrator Deb emphasized that such double-digit increases are mathematically unsustainable under Proposition 2½ and suggested establishing joint roundtable discussions with Lakeville and school leadership. The Board also reviewed the FY2027 assessment of roughly $2.14 million for Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School and examined conceptual master plan designs presented by Stark for comprehensive Town Beach improvements ahead of a formal presentation in two weeks.

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