Board of Selectmen Meeting 9/21/26

The Freetown Board of Selectmen convened on September 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Following an executive session concerning real estate negotiations, collective bargaining, and executive session minutes, the board conducted an open meeting. Key property transactions included approving a disclosure form from Nicholas J. Valoso regarding Parcel 240-066 and subsequently authorizing the signing of a purchase and sale agreement to sell the landlocked 1.3-acre parcel on 0 Chace Road. A public hearing regarding an on-premises wine and malt liquor license application by Wild & Bloom Beauty at 31 Mill Street was continued to October 5, 2026, due to incomplete paperwork. The board also formally acknowledged the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) planned acquisition of approximately 18 acres on Map 210, Lot 108, and unanimously voted to waive the statutory 120-day notice requirement.

Town Clerk Cheryl C. Estrella presented election business, prompting the board to adopt the State Election Warrant for the November 3, 2026 election at Freetown Elementary School and review the two-week in-person early voting schedule at the police station community room. In police department matters, the board voted to align the hourly pay rate for civilian traffic control monitors with the union detail rate for sworn officers ($72 per hour for FY26, increasing to $75 per hour in FY27), noting that outside contractors reimburse these expenses. The board also appointed Rebecca Swanson as an election worker and approved a request by the local baseball association to install an irrigation line on the municipal ballfields at the league's expense.

During reports and public comment, the Town Administrator reported on ongoing projects, including the highway department driver vacancy, salt shed RFP, intern interviews, and the South Main Street bridge project with MassDOT. Resident Steven Trask raised environmental concerns regarding smoke, burning odors, and the growing height of an auto-shredder residue pile. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Watch the video to verify.