With it being 5:32 p.m. in the corner being present, I'd like to call the free town board selecting meeting for June 1st, 2026 to order. This meeting will be recorded and posted on Tom's YouTube channel. And before we begin, is anybody else recording this meeting? All right. First order of business, if you can all
stand and face the flag or the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> All right. Thank you everybody. You all may be seated. >> All right. Thank you. >> Welcome, sir. Welcome. All right. Item one, discussion vote. like to approve the open session meetings minutes from 429 2026 54 2026 and 512 2026.
I review them. I see any edits, comments or concerns. Gentlemen to me. >> Good. All right. I see a motion to approve the meeting the open session meetings meeting minutes from 429 2026 54 2026 and 5126. >> Motion made.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. All right. Agenda two, discussion to vote whe to approve the amended meeting minutes from 413 2026. Thank you for those edits. Um, once again, you guys have a chance to review.
All right. I a motion to approve the amended meeting minutes from 413 2026. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Item three, discussion and follow. would like to approve the fiscal year 2027 reappoint list from the town clerk as
presented in attachment in. So this is our yearly appointment for all committees boards we have here in Freetown. Every one of these have been sent out to all the chairman and chair women of the committees and boards to make sure that their appointees were indeed come back for another round another fun year. U the the list
presented uh or has everybody come back? Did you guys have a chance to approve the read? >> All right. >> All right. I maintain a motion to approve the fiscal year 2027 reappoint list from the town clerk as presented in attended. >> Motion made second. >> All right I >> thank you.
>> All right. Item four discussion vote whether to approve the agreement between the town of Freetown and the Greater New Befford Regional Refuge Management District for Crapo Hill. >> All right, >> chair. I'd like to ask that we change that vote to allow the town administrator to execute the contract. U
the contract ends June 30th. So, we do need to renew it. However, there is a uh they have changed some of the language in the contract that I need to spend a little time with town council on before we we um agree to sign it. >> Okay.
>> Everything seems to be in line beyond that. >> It's in it's in line. They they they just added an indempification clause that's different than what's been in there in the past. And I just want to I didn't have time today to really digest it. So before you sign it and if there's any issues, you know, I'll bring it back
before the board. Um, but you know, this is the same we've used billill for years. They they they're a good partner to the town of Freetown. They take our our trash, but obviously I want to make sure that the contracts are good and we don't have any issues down.
>> And this is something we get brought up every year. >> Yes. >> The there's only so much space there. I believe they opened a new cell or opening a new cell if I remember. I think they were trying to and I know they are limited to they're only allowing like their neighboring towns to bring trash to them because they are on
a space and that's one of the reason why we only get a yearto-year contract because they don't know when they're going to space. >> I mean the same thing is said every year is once that happens we're going to be fighting for everything to end up at Cass or somewhere else.
>> We're going to be left aside and have nowhere to put our stuff. sold >> and at a greater expense, right? Pretty fair this year. >> $90 a ton, which uh went $4 a ton, but that that is that is still a good price for the charge at this point.
>> Yeah, there'll be a a very lengthy conversation when it goes to CMass down the road. It's not if it's when, right? At some point, it's going to happen. Our job is to prolong it as long as possible. So, executing this contract is the way to go. Keep us in line with Prep Hill. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Thank you, Dave. All right. I extend motion to execute the contract that expires on June 30, 2026 to town administrator and our council for the town of Fretown and Greater New Beford Regional Refuge Management District for Craig Hill. Motion made >> second. All in favor?
>> I. >> Thank you, Debbie. Thank you, gentlemen. All right. Item agenda five, discussion. Vote to ask security cameras to town hall and the bull ramp. All right. Security cameras. So, you know, over the last uh you know, it seems like we need
cameras just about everywhere these days, right? Things are just happening. The most recent one down at town hall for the schoolhouse, you know, we need to make sure we have to cover all our blind spots and where we store our vital records and historical records. Um, as far as the boat ramp, you know, again,
as our presence there is greater every year to year, um, you know, over the years we have things taken from the from the bo from the pond itself and used using the bow rabb as the I guess the getaway location and you know, we told our residents then and now we just got
to make sure that we follow through, especially as we're talking about cameras that we, you know, get a better deal, better bulk buying those cameras and making sure that our properties are protected and also highlighted in the fense does happen, we can go back to it and make sure that we know what versus
guessing the next day. >> So, any uh concerns, questions? >> Listen, I'm all about adding them. >> Um, we just need to figure out where we're going to add them. So, you know, and then having the storage space, what we're going to as far as that. So, we'll
leave that one to the experts. But, um, >> we had them out to look at the two locations and that's where we got the vote from. So they would need two to cover the area for the records and the schoolhouse and one to cover where the attraction is at the shed with the gate
area and those prices are in your pack. >> Okay. And that will cover the entrance to the to the pond. >> Okay. >> Another question. Perfect. >> Teamwork. >> Yeah. Pretty straightforward. You know, again, protecting our properties, making sure that we know what's going on when
we're not there. Um so um no different than any other places in town that would like like transfer station, town hall, um police station, things like that. All right, no further discussions. Let's entertain motion to add security cameras to town hall and the boat ramp. Motion made
>> second. All in favor? I >> I >> All right, item agenda six discussion vote on awarding the request for quotes for a crane for water and sewer. >> All right. um have in front of me, but I believe
we're just doing work around town that requires this type of work to go in and out manholes and things like that. Correct. >> Help them lift the covers and No, it's a small frame that goes on the back of it. >> Thank you, sir. You're welcome. >> So, the quote is for $16,630.
Um looks like the only one we got a quote from was the genre truck utility. So, >> we did get a couple of specific nos. >> Yeah. Titan as United. >> No quotes from Titan Truck and United Construction. And then we had another one from Venro Venturo LLC for quoted
supply crane, but no installation. So, all right. Thank you, sir. >> We have that one. >> Yeah, usually we have a ton of them. We have to go through all every single line item, but that's a good one. All right. Um, I entertain the motion to award the request for codes for a crane and for
water and sewer to Janna Truck and utility for the for the amount of $16,630. All >> second. >> All in favor? >> I I All right. Number seven, discussion and vote to authorize the town administrator to sign off on documents related to the
crane for water and sewer. as as we typically do, we uh kick it off to the town administrator to make sure that everything's signed and and done correctly the next day or the following days. And we thank the town administrator for doing so. Um I entertain the motion to authorize
the town administrator to sign off on documents related to the crane for water and sewer. >> Motion in >> second. All in favor? >> I thank you, Debbie. >> And so so we don't have to go in every 15 minutes. >> Correct. >> Just feels good. >> All right. Item eight, discussion vote.
We have to approve the collective barding agreement between the town of Fretown and the Fretown Fulltime Fighter Fighters Association local 2313 effective 71 2024 through 6:30 2027. >> So this just this just is the act of
putting MOA together with a complete um contract. There's no new information. This has been in effect since uh you know 7124 but now it's all together in one agreement. It's been vetted by town council as well as the union and
everybody agrees that this is the the correct document and it's the intent of everything is in there. So now it's just a matter of having you sign it. So we have a solidified document that's complete rather than a contract from 10 years ago and a bunch of the MAS that
keep getting added to it. So it's really just a procedural clarification, >> right? This is essentially saying that the town of Freetown and Firefight Association have dotted all their eyes across all their tees and we're all on the same page moving forward. All right. Maintain a motion to approve the collective baring agreement between the
town of Freetown and the Freetown full-time firefighters association local 2313 effective 71 2024 through 6:30 2027. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I I All right. Discussion number nine. discussion vote where to approve the
contract amendment number one for drink and water asset management plan between the town of Fretown and Apex companies. This is part of a plan that we've had. We got a grant uh a couple years ago to uh lay out all our water system and put
it on a digitalization form so we know where the water lines are, we know where the shut offs are, we know where the valves are. So we uh we didn't utilize all of the grant funds. So, uh, Apex and the water department work together, and myself was included, about expanding the
scope so that we can even get more shut off valves located on a plan. So, if somebody's out in the field and they're trying to shut the water off, they can call it up on on an iPad and they can see where exactly where that shut off valve is. And there's these things
called tide cards that will be tied to each service that we do not have digitalized at this point. Those will all be digitalized. So, it's just a matter of it's it's it's all about digitalizing the water department to make them more efficient and be able to locate things when they need them,
especially for the future, right? But >> well, as you can imagine, right, for those at home and those in the audience, for years, we'd go off by pen and paper, right? Old records that have been there for for generations and they work just fine. But when you're on the field to go back and forth to try
and find historical records of where a water line may or may not be, especially over time when things have changed, it'll be magic be quite difficult. So since these meters have been put in, we've done a great job of highlighting them and actually created a more efficiency in the water department, which is fantastic. And I'm glad to hear
that the grant money is being not kicked, but used for other things to expand what they've been doing. >> So I I love that. >> All right. Any All right. I think we're good. I think uh All right. I entertain motion to approve the contract amendment number one for drinking water asset
management plan between the town of Freetown and Apex Companies. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I uh just like the last one we need someone to sign this. So I think uh we know who it's might be. All right. Discussion number 10. Discussion and vote went to approve the agreement between town of Freetown and Apex for
water system leader discharge agreement. Yeah, this is just like exactly what Deb just told us that we're just utilizing the current grant formula monies for additional things. This is a different one. >> Yeah, this is different. This is >> Oh, system leader. Sorry, >> it's water related. >> Yeah, sorry.
>> The the water >> the water system that we have currently, you have to blow off some water in order to to keep it it flowing at a certain rate, especially in the summer time to keep the I think it's the THMS grow. So,
um, when that water is discharged, you have to make sure that it's discharged properly. And this will do that. This will, this is, uh, Apex was designing a system. They call bleeder pits to discharge the water when it comes out. We see when they run a hydrant, they just let it blow out. You can't just let
that blow out and and not have a place for it to go. And so, these bleeder pits will accommodate that blowoff. Um, we have I think we have four locations throughout town that we blow off the water and and so this is just a designer pens.
>> Certainly much different than the asset management system. >> Yeah, two different things too fast. All right. Well, thank you and all right. Any any questions, concerns? >> No, it's straightforward. >> All right. I take a motion to approve the agreement between town of Fretown
and Apex for free water system leader discharge assessment. I'll make that motion. >> Second. All >> in favor? I >> I. >> All right. Number 11. Discussion and vote whether to accept the donation from Richard and Diane Nichols in the sum of $50 to the cast line aging for general
support of Calg. All right. Well, first and foremost, Richard and Diane Nichols, thank you so much for for that donation. That's amazing. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> All right. Um I think we're all okay with that, right? >> All right. a motion to accept the donation from Merch and Diane Nichols in
the sum of $50 to the council of aging for general support of the consular. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I again thank you Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dixs. >> All right. Item agenda 12. Discussion and vote whether to approve the road
opening permit for 54 Braymond Road in East Freaktown for connection to water. All right. Another one of these. All right. Well, it is exactly as it sounds. It's uh someone's doing something to their their home whether renovation or or building and now they need to open up
a per uh open up the road to be able to connect to the existing water line. >> What they did is they just built I believe it's the same one they just built some contract the base. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. So all right any >> No, pretty straightforward. Yeah.
>> He's come around every so often. All right. Maintain a motion to approve the road opening permit for 54 Brayley Road, East Freetown for connection to the water. Motion, please. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. We're moving on to number 13. Discussion and vote on any necessary
updates to the fiscal year fiscal year 2027 ominous budget. >> So, we do have a couple of changes like change for the budget. um one of them and and so when we get the
school assessment back um I say May 11th don't know the day exactly to the date the the assessment decreased by $75,000 but also the state cherry sheet increased um funding to the town by $65,000. So that freed up a little bit
of um funding for the town. So, one of the the things that we weren't allowed we weren't able to fund was the request from the additional firefighter in the original budget. So, this um request is to increase uh budget 220 personnel by
$71,000 to allow for that firefighter on all ships. And the second request that I have is on budget 912, which is our insurance budget for um injured on duty
police officers and fire. It came in um quite a bit over budget and we've already got the renewal bill and I'm I'm short by about $10,000. So the request is to increase that budget by 10,000. So it's an increase in budget 220 for personnel with 71,000
>> and an increase in 912 for insurance for $101. >> Now it's uh that's for the an additional fight item. Yes, my ultimate firefighter and then just the county insurance for the and that gives me a total of 34
million 854 56250 >> 5250. So 34 854 5250 right >> that's what I know >> perfect putting that 55 on could essentially save so it's on if they have
to tone out for stage cover that's the goal right that's the goal that fully everyone's there well are they like what four four now they >> so they have just one chip that does the firefighter on it >> right so now that'll fully fund them well fully support their their staffing
so hopefully that does equate to some cost savings down the road for forward time >> and and we do know that, you know, the budgets continue to get tighter and tighter, right? So, um we do have a couple of retirements unfortunately coming up in January. Um so, the thought
process is depending on development next year if we, you know, if we don't have the funding, we may just not replace one of those retirements if that should be the case. Right? So, this also makes it a little bit easier of a decision to bring somebody in. at this point. I'm
not expecting that to be the case, but I'm just saying like it does lend into the decision because, you know, if for some reason something radically changes, we have a way without laying off people, it would be a layoff, right? Which we never want to do um of
going back down to the to the current staffing level. >> Yeah, makes sense. And for the retirements, I got some good ideas how to beat the fire union as far as the the award or the, >> you know, they get a little plaque at the end. >> Good ideas. I'm going to
>> pass them. We got to get >> overstep like we did last year a little bit. So, I got some good ideas for the board for down the road. >> All right. >> All right. Uh, that's all. All right. So I'll entertain a motion to well vote yet to approve the fiscal year
2027 on this budget with the amendments to item department number 220 on the in the amount of $71,000 for a full-time firefighter and in department 912 for uh $10,000 for insurance premiums for a total cost of $34,854,562.50.
>> I will make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Yes, I'm a mouthful. >> All right. 14. Discussion review the annual town meetings and special town meeting articles for 61 2026.
>> All right. Will you all have a copy? >> All right. Debbie, any changes that we >> So the there is going to be an special town meeting warrant at 6 >> parcels for clothing. Yes, there is some
um I think there's a a defect in it in that these lots are not in tax title as of right now. Um and so I don't we can do this at this juncture. We have to hold. So, we're going to pass over this
uh until we >> try to avoid them going into test and test. >> All right. So, article one I'll take funds for salt shed for lower one salt shed. Article three match the
hospital historical grant five grand article four oper article five is the police station surveillance network location with patient server right equipment needs updating that's pretty straightforward pretty light special meeting which we
like sometimes actually all right next one is any well before I move on to more the next one any questions Questions, concerns regarding the social town meeting changed. Okay. Um, all right. Anything for the warrant articles uh for the anytime meeting Deb?
>> Yeah, I I'll go back. >> I'll go back. >> No, there's no there's no don't no yelling that you make a motion. >> Um, I have nothing for the uh town anymore. I don't have any changes uh concerns at
this time. But >> you're aware of the petition that that one is being bought. That land is being bought by commission on that one. Isn't it over? >> The last one, right?
>> Something about battery. >> We need to change overlay district. We just had six district. Is it for number 13? >> Yeah, that's where we are. >> 13 says to see the town will vote for
the free talent zone by upgrade regularly the battery storage system best to ensure CE >> says overlay district. >> Okay. >> It just needs to be district. >> So overlay to make a motion on >> Yeah, we're going to make a motion on the floor she said. So I just wanted to
be aware of that >> to be aware that >> and this is just so people did reach out regarding this because you know they see it online they see it all over the news about people uh all communities getting in battery storage systems and it's just draining all our energy sources and
everything else and of course prices go up. >> This is just zoning correct right >> this is just the zoning because and then I do have that you have it too. So what it is is if we don't make a if we don't approve a bylaw for for this create one
their own >> in October the state is going to start issuing permits and you don't have a bylaw you can't regulate this. There's some that are very very uh big >> that we can limit on we can exclude from from town without the bylaw excluding
the state. We'll just if it's not >> so if needed you to go on meeting floor. Oh yeah, we're we're already planning. Me and uh Nancy are gonna talk about on as far as >> you feel like based on what you guys have in place, it's a pretty strict rule or the
>> Yeah. So it's it's strict as it could possibly be that the state will allow us. >> Okay. >> Um it just for instance, we are limiting it to industrial zones only, >> which we're allowed to do. Um
there's some other stuff in there. um the biggest ones. You're not going to have these big >> we kind of cut uh kind of failed it to um like if you have a sole farm you can use. >> Sure. >> That have one at your house.
>> Now in your opinion any write on amendments like the MBTA communities act like you can get this overlay and get this done. Anything that we need to know as a town as far as the residents that live nearby? Uh, currently no. Uh, they are supposed to be able to meet before they put it in
place with the state, but they wanted some bylaw. We kind of piggybacked off of one that they had, made it a little stricter. Nancy >> did a great job uh writing this and attended all the meetings >> and we had them down to one of our meetings as well.
>> So, we're pretty much in on it. Uh, all the information we possibly get from it. She was she was on them. You guys get on with it. >> Yeah. And the only thing is if we don't pass it that the only thing that that's really going to happen is the state's going to is going to issue their own
permit. >> Yeah. We don't want that. >> Yeah. >> We don't want >> it would go through like we'd be notified and but we have nothing to really enforce if we don't have a B. >> Yeah. >> All right.
Anything else on here that we have any questions on? It's all straightforward. We vented the book through this. >> Yeah. Quite a few times >> 20,000 times today. Cable phone news cruising program journal court authorized recall members
straightforward. That's been one on there for years. Child care meetings meetings. >> Yeah. 20%. >> All right. >> So what do we do? So on on 17 because
they are going to purchase set we >> still has to come up because there was because it was a petition but then it's going to be noted obviously they purchased in it so it's really nothing really nothing to do >> well I was just wondering if they actually if we told everyone to vote it
down they did do we not get to purchase it because they're already doing it >> yeah got to explain to them on town meeting >> because it's come it's coming out of uh conservations >> money >> money right be honest with We wouldn't have the money. >> Yeah, I know. Yeah.
>> Also, $110,000. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> 40 acres of land. >> It's not bad. >> Take that deal. It's a little bit safe for that article, right? Yeah.
Let's see. Sorry. Yeah. All right. So, right. So, we discussed and reviewed both articles and started. We're good there. All right. Item agenda 14 discussion of vote whe to approve the following transfer request within the department. A $1,615
board of slein parking clerk to the board slept in advertising and B $2,500 for Tom admin wages recording clerk to board slept in advertising bo advertising. All right. >> Uh yeah, just simple.
>> Yes. Transfer one one to the other. All right. Good. All right. Ain motion to approve the following transfer request within departments. A uh as listed as A and B 1615 to board selecting parking clerk to board select advertising and B200s from town admin wages recording clerk to new board selected advertising.
>> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I up personal board. >> All right. So we uh would acknowledge the resignation of Kylie Battello from
community program director effective 6:30 26. Uh you guys know her a lot a lot better than I do, but she did a great job doing that and she's moving positions >> in town so she's not running away yet. >> That's right.
>> So we'll acknowledge that she did a great job as the community. I don't know if anyone else wants to say anything. >> Oh, you're absolutely right. I'll I'll I'll continue with that conversation. You know, she took on the first time community program director from everything from movie nights to paint
nights to concerts. Um all different events you see around town helping out with Kazaro with like um Earth Day um and so many different events from down at the park from yoga to self-defense, even the holiday decoration contest. I came in third. I was close. But she
brought the town, the community together, different events, and I the public has responded back saying they want this continued. So, um, good on her for getting us through that initial hump of how do we do it? How do we get through to the next stage? And then now,
now we have somebody taking on her program, especially with the concerts right now. And that's all because of our hard work. So, I kudos to her. The council of agents as u lucky to have her. She'll do a great job for it. >> Absolutely. I'll pay you back call what you said because you basically took everything and said of what I would say and uh you know I just I really want to
say thank you to her because she did do a good job of not just walking away. She said I'm willing to help you guys through the concerts which was the the biggest thing that she dealt with right when um anyone listen to her and talk listen to what she talked about as far
as the amount of time she spent doing that um it's a lot. So, um, thank you, Kylie, and I I really appreciate it. But you're not going away. So, it's >> not going away. And end of note, just to piggy to not to go too further along, but this has to be said, she didn't do
it alone, right? She a lot of us helped her, but her family came together with her, right? Her family stepped up and helped her through a lot of the different projects, right? Which really embodies a community, sense of community that we have here in Freetown, right? Her family was, I think, almost at every
event helping her do do everything possible. So to me that was that's a amazing family. So kudos to the potato family um in extensions and I it was a pleasure talking and meeting every one of them and it was um it was good to have them in the free time.
>> We're going to move along. >> All right and I was not here obviously I'm only eight weeks in on this board but I did as a resident I definitely seen everything that she was doing. So, thank you for all that. And we'll go to 17.
Acknowledge the disclosure of uh parents of conflict of interest for Deborah Petty. And that is we discussed it last night in the actual um there was a road opening on 55 South Main Street.
I believe it was her brother. her brother's property. >> Um, business. >> The brother's business. Yes. Sorry. Uh, pretty straightforward here. Um, >> just want to read some of the things
here. There's no conflict. This is my uh this is my brother's company. Uh, my town administrator made no official decisions regarding these permits. Um, this uh there was no undue influence. This is I mean honestly it's a permit
that's gotten dry. It's an opening of a sidewalk for uh water, >> right? >> So I don't know if you want us to add on anything on that but >> No, it's just an acknowledgement. >> Just an acknowledgement of it. >> It's the right thing. >> Phil several night time as well.
>> All right. So next we got 18 and discussion will vote on whether to make the following appointments. So a we have Steven Williams as a truck driver for the highway department. Um I was in on that interview. It's uh
pretty good pretty good guy military. Um >> we're branch me but you know >> we still love him. We're all guessing but no very squared away. uh individual and I think he's gonna add the truck team also. Really good.
>> Uh number two is uh Lisa Badowski. >> Um as animal control officer effective uh 5126 until 4:3027. That was pretty straightforward. She's
been doing that for years. Um C is John De Mirandle as a laborer for the highway department effect of 6226. >> All right, >> chair. I just don't know that you said
the uh appointment AR effective. >> Oh, I'm sorry. So Steven Williams as truck driver for the highway department effective 6:1526. We want to be able to start them. You say my
>> It happens sometimes. They all bleed in. >> Chuck, I'm standing in the parking lot. >> What the heck? >> All right. >> All right. What do you mean? >> No. No. >> All right. So, I entertain a motion um to appoint A, B, and C as read.
>> I'll make the motion. I second. >> All in favor? Hi. Hi. >> All right. Turn it back over to you, sir. >> Anything for part boards and parks? Doesn't look like it. Anything from the town registration report? Got anything up yet? >> Oh, just been preparing for town meeting.
>> How are we all? >> All right. Uh, no old business that I know. Any public input from the things we just discussed? I see none. All right. Well, it looks like we're next one's agenda 19. Attend
town meeting. All right, it is now. Let's see the time. 6:05. Oh, well. Before I go, we got to sign away. >> Pay the bills. What's >> that? Opening permit.
>> What do you want? Unfortunately, Chad, they they want all our senior troops, so they want to track us down. >> Yeah. being not good enough for these two, sir. >> Transfer request.
You also truck get my pants or the cuffs today. I'm >> snacking everything today. foundation to >> Yeah,
>> it's like the stuff you said wasn't funded yet. So, it's not >> it you're good. >> Everything's good. All right. It being 6:08 p.m. I entertain motion to adjourn for a second meeting for 61 2026. I'll
make that motion. Second. All in favor?