Board of Selectmen Meeting 4/27/26

The Freetown Board of Selectmen met on April 27, 2026, to address a variety of municipal matters including town warrants, facility projects, and public health/water infrastructure. The board approved routine business including open session minutes and authorized the fire chief to approve ambulance abatements and write-offs. They accepted donations for memorial benches at Hathaway Park, including one dedicated to former selectman Mariano Rosendis Jr. and another from the family of William and Germaine Winters. The board and the Water and Sewer Commissioners held a joint discussion regarding a MassDEP letter on public drinking water supply status for town-owned buildings on wells, voting to designate Water Department Superintendent David as the town's liaison to coordinate inspections.

A significant portion of the meeting addressed the proposed Council on Aging and Library Community Building project, estimated at $26.5 million. The project funding plan relies on roughly $9.5 million in savings, a $10 million grant disbursed over five years, and $7.5 million in debt-excluded borrowing ($17.5 million gross borrowing authorization). Following discussion on bond terms, operating costs, and tax impacts, the board voted to advance the project to Town Meeting on June 1, 2026, and officially placed the debt exclusion question on a special town election ballot set for June 8, 2026.

Additionally, the board conducted a public hearing and approved an officer and beneficial ownership change for Circle K Massachusetts LLC on Chase Road, approved multiple personnel board appointments, and made determinations on articles for the Annual and Special Town Meeting warrants. Key additions to the warrant included accepting parcels in Summit Park in lieu of foreclosure and funding roof repairs at Freetown Elementary School ($160,000), while voting to award town meeting informational printing to KLA Printing. Items concerning retiree health insurance contribution ratios and a town employee/board photo ID policy were tabled for further research.

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