Board of Selectmen Meeting 5/4/26

The Freetown Board of Selectmen met on May 4, 2026, to address a variety of municipal business items, contracts, and upcoming town meeting warrant articles. The Board ratified an emergency decision made on April 29, 2026, to demolish a fire-damaged structure at 42 Water Street, noting the building had been taken down, placed in secured piles, and was awaiting asbestos testing with costs to be recovered via a property lien. The Board voted to draft an official letter to the MBTA regarding ongoing deterioration and drainage issues at railroad crossings on Route 79, Forge Road, and Malbone Road. Additionally, they approved 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. parking restrictions along the sidewalk side of Ridge Hill Road and Campanelli Drive due to commercial trucks obstructing the pedestrian walkway.

Several procurement and property actions were completed during the meeting. The Board declared a 1964 homemade 16-foot highway barn trailer surplus for scrap and approved a hydrant repair contract with J. Bust Construction LLC. They awarded the Fire Station 2 paving improvement contract (including base and alternate excavation) to Paquette Hot Mix Asphalt Inc. for $61,163 and approved the corresponding agreement, as well as an agreement with G. Lopes Construction Inc. for FY 2027 winter sand at $27 per ton. For conservation, the Board approved the purchase of land at 0 Richmond Road (Map 207, Lot 111) for $110,000 using Conservation Commission funds and accepted the land donation of a portion of the Elijah Pierce Woodlot (Map 208, Lot 1).

In personnel and policy decisions, the Board voted to require employees retiring after July 1, 2027, to contribute toward supplemental retiree health insurance at the same percentage they paid as active employees. A proposal to designate a specific selectman to respond on social media was discussed at length but ultimately tabled while staff reviews policies, archiving legal requirements, and the option to disable public comments on town pages. The Board reviewed town meeting warrant articles, adding provisions for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and water superintendent positions before closing the warrant, and formally adopted the warrant for the June 8, 2026, special town election.

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