Good evening everybody. It is Monday, March 30th, 2026 at 6:02 p.m. With the quorum being present, I'll call to order the free town board suck meeting. Uh tonight's meeting will be recorded and will be available on the town's YouTube page. We're going to jump right off into
agenda item one here. This is discussion of vote whether to approve the open session minutes from 3226 and 35 20226. Any discussion on that? >> No. Everything went good. Yeah, absolutely. >> Hey guys, >> Carl.
>> Sorry. >> Sorry. All right. No problem. So, uh, so with that, so I will entertain a motion to uh, approve the open session minutes from 3226 to 3526. >> Motion made. I second that motion.
>> All in favor? I >> I >> agree. discussion of vote whether to approve the entertainment on a Sunday license request for Lakeside Festival on May 24th, 2026. Anyone want to be a Grinch here?
>> Depends. We get any tickets this year? >> No. >> No. No. Very standard. >> We're all good. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Okay. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion to approve the entertainment on a Sunday license request for the Lakeside Festival on 524 2026. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> I. >> Uh, agenda item three, discussion of vote whether to approve the mixtape request event application for uh 4126 uh bicycle event using fire roads, freetown uh Freetown Roads. Sorry, not
fire roads, Freetown Roads. Um, and is it you you got folks here for that? >> Yeah. >> Great. So, uh, I guess first want to just talk a little bit about the event just so for the public to under to hear about it. I know this is not the first time we've done this. So,
>> yeah, sure. So, we've taken him specifically taking over the event from a former. So, we're running the show now. We're using mostly pre-existing course that he has with, you know, maybe some of our own, but mostly standard stuff he's been using over the years. Some of the
corners will have marshals. >> Awesome. And this is a mountain biking in the forest. >> Yeah, gravel bike. Mountain bike. Yeah. >> Great. Um I guess chief, any concerns on your end? >> Uh this event has been going on for a number of years. It's been uh wellrun.
Um, from our point of view, it's nothing more than been supportive and uh hope we just pray that nobody gets hurt, right? I think occasionally we do get some people that get banged up out there, but uh nothing that over serious, but uh well-run event, no problems on our end.
>> All right, great. And then if anyone at home wants to, you know, check it out online, like is our website or >> what would you say the best channel is? It's mostly promoted through our cycling clubs, social media and whatnot. And then there's a page where you would sign up for the event called um bike regge.
Yep. >> And that basically gives all the details to it. >> All right. Great. So I actually I mountain bike a good amount in the free town state forest. So the only concern like I don't know I don't know how you mitigate this but like the dirt bikers are always uh a bit of an issue. Yeah. >> Is that that you guys I mean
>> I mean it's well well marked, right? >> Yeah. It's well marked. It's a GPS route and we typically stay off the motorcycle stuff. Uh, at one point we do dip over to the ledge which is which is where the motorcycles but over the years I don't think we've had much of a problem. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Nice thing is you hear them coming
so they're usually respectful when they see another rider and stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's by my experience as well. So >> all right. Great. Any other questions? >> No. Great event. Absolutely. >> Dropping breadcrumbs. >> Easter eggs.
>> Okay. >> You need that. All right. All right. So, with that, I entertain a motion to approve mixtape request um for event application for 4126 for a bicycle event using the Freetown Roads. >> A motion made. >> A second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> You guys, >> good luck. >> Thank you guys. >> All right, moving on to agenda item four. Discussion vote whether approve the following donations. So, A through D on the agenda. Susan Hayes in the sum of $50 to the Council on Aging for ARP
taxes. Paul Condan in the sum of $550 to the council on aging for ARP taxes. Copart in support of the annual Earth Day cleanup in the sum of $500. And PR Russell in support of the annual Earth Day cleanup in the sum of $100. Any issues with taking these donations?
>> Oh, absolutely not. >> Absolutely. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate the generosity. >> So with that, I'll entertain a motion to approve donations A through D listed agenda item four. Motion made. Second. >> All in favor? I
I'm going way too fast. We we have a we have a big gap here. >> I did not eat dinner before the agenda today. So, you know how I I cruise through >> some snacks. >> All right. Uh agenda item five, discussion and revote on the request that the school committee conduct a um
additional audit and compliance for uh sorry, additional audit for the years 2022 through 2025. So, this is something that in addition to the audit that's already taking place, um we voted as a board a couple years ago now,
>> right, >> to uh have an additional audit because there are some potential irregularities um at one point. >> It's the audit has not taken place yet. I know that the Lakeville board have uh
recently revoted on it just because the time has been so long between the original vote and now. Um and so that's kind of the background here. I'm not sure there's any kind of uh >> yeah, the only other thing was is that there was an issue. The reason why it
hadn't been done yet was because of the the difficult the difficulty of coming up with an exact scope and how we would go about it, right? And I I know you were on that committee before me. You guys were having that issue. We still currently had that issue. We're much closer now.
>> There was also lots of turnover on the board itself. Yeah. >> That board. Y >> uh the sub the regional >> financial subcommittee. Yeah. >> Um so that kind of also I think kicked the can a little bit on it. >> Absolutely. Yeah. No. And um so I do think that there was there there's still
there was some questioning whether or not it still needed to be done and then so we decided that everyone should bring they it was decided and say we it was decided to be back in front of each board to make sure it's something they still wanted to do. >> Yeah. I mean from my perspective I don't
think anything's materially changed >> right there hasn't like I still >> I don't see the harm in you know except for the additional financial expense to the towns >> for conducting it
um >> right to their credit they've also done their annual assessment this year their annual report and from all accounts it looks like from that from their opinion everything looks fine which is great um I think the additional look at the
numbers going in going out for both towns will be a good way to make sure that everything is going the right way to assure our residents from both constitu both sides that nothing's wrong. Um again we're not alleging anything is wrong but we want to make sure that we keep an eye on it. >> Yeah. And I think that my thoughts on
this audit is specifically it's a retrospective audit like we know that since management has changed there the the audits of those years have been clean and um there's been no issues with that. I think it's that it's kind of
that retrospective to make sure that everything is above board historically. >> Correct. >> I yes I agree. It was something that we were asked from the residents to do. Um, we heard it loud and clear from a lot of people and I would not want to I would
not feel comfortable backing away from it at this point. So, >> right. >> Okay. All right. So, with that, I'll understand a motion to um to have a additional independent audit for the fiscal years 2022 through 2025. >> A motion made.
>> I second that motion. >> Yeah. >> We're we're recommending that the school committee do it. We can't. Okay. We can't. All right. >> I'll ask them. Yeah. So, it's just a revote to request that the school committee conduct So, it's a request of the school committee. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I'll enter a motion uh that we
request the school committee to conduct a secondary independent audit for fiscal years 2022 through 2025. >> Motion made. Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Do we know how Lakeville voted on that? By the way, >> they voted they voted again to re revote it. It was a little I asked them for the
language so we could mirror it, but it was a little confusing. So, but they did vote to have it. >> They voted to also recommend to the school committee. Okay, great. >> Okay. Agenda item six, discussion of vote whether to approve the quote from um
patrol PC for water, sewer, computers. >> And I don't have that numbers in front of me. It's $14,376.39. >> 14,000. >> These are like Rhino computers that go on the trunks. >> Yep. Assuming this is something we need
>> if water commissioners here. >> Yeah. So, any any thoughts on this? >> Yep. this year so they can have information online where things are. >> Yeah. >> Would you like to spend the money?
>> Awesome. And I'm assuming that money will come out of the revolving fund. >> It was article money at the time. >> Oh yeah, that's right. That's right. I do remember that. Okay. And seems reasonable to me, >> right? >> Absolutely. Yeah. >> All right. So with that, I want to a motion to approve the quote from um patrol PC for water sewer computers.
Motion in >> a second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I Okay. >> Gen item seven, discussion of vote updated associated cost and next steps for the combined council on aging and library building.
>> I'm not sure that we need a vote tonight, but I uh while I was on vacation, we got updated numbers for the budget for the COA combined building. Um, if you remember correctly, we set a budget at $15 million of town money. Um, we were
able to secure a $10 million grant for the library, giving us total budget of 25 million. Unfortunately, the building came in at 31 million and change. Um, we are vigorously meeting with the architects and the OPMs trying to see if
there's a way to get the budget down. I have reviewed the budget numbers with Matt, uh, the town accountant, and there really is no way for us to get to the $31 million number. We would have to borrow in excess of $10 million. And
that would have to happen at the next town meeting in June. And there would be a ballot question that would go along with that. And I don't I don't know how much we've really, you know, promoted the the building. And I I think it is going to take a lot of people by surprise. And we've always been working
on this building at that it wasn't going to raise taxes, that we were going to be able to borrow whatever borrowings within tax levy up to like 5 million was what we had in mind. Um that's still the case if we can get the building if we can get the cost down, if we can get
more grant funding, which I actively am pursuing. Um I did file for um a congressional uh monies and I'll I'll continue to do that. So, I just wanted to give the board the update that you understood that unfortunately this came
in way over budget about um if you know if you remember back in November we had numbers that were presented at $23 million for the combined building and it came in at 31. So, there's a 7 or $8 million deficit that I don't quite know. I don't there's no way for me to get it.
And faced with, you know, the tightening of the the budget, the school increase. Um I don't know that it's it's not prudent to borrow more than the 5 million that we had that we've been planning all along. >> Yeah. >> So, you're going to see more of this.
We're actively working. There's a COA library committee meeting this week. Um we're trying to get more grants. were trying to get the cost down, but you're going to see a lot of this is going to start to be very much in the limelight. So, I wanted the board to understand
what was going on with the project. Uh, but we did get I I think they're voting on the grant Thursday. So, um pretty sure we're going to get a $10 million grant. So, it's difficult to walk away from. You know how I feel about grant funding. Um, and thank you to everybody
who's worked really hard to get us to this point. But unfortunately, somewhere along the line, the project, as they do sometimes, took a life of its own, and it's a little bit more than what we can afford at this time. Prices have changed. And >> so, I remember some of the early meetings we had, even I think this was
even before it was at COA Library, just on the library side of it. I remember like the conversation being you have to build it to certain specs to meet the requirements as a library so then you can get the funding. Yes. >> Which was one of those kind of silly things that you have to spend more money
to get more grant money in order to meet the criteria. Do we think that this is related to like us having additional kind of spaces and uh programs to >> Yes. And I think when you analyze it, right, we it's it ends up being almost a
15,000 foot library building. Um, if you analyze, okay, we take 10 million grant away and then we have this amount of money, like it ends up being like a 5,000 square foot library. So, the added square footage that you're
required to put in to meet the requirements, you you almost get the money for that from the state. Of course, there's always added expenses in operating the building. I've estimated those as well. Um but definitely the the
MBLC requires a much bigger building than I think um we might have built otherwise. >> Yeah. >> But of course $10 million is a lot of money that they're willing to give us. So the official vote will happen Thursday. They're well aware that we're
up against it financially as I think other towns are too. Um, and we're looking there are some things that we can cut like some of the parking areas um that that will have a direct uh deduction. I don't know where we're
going to get $7 million. They're working on it. So, I'll keep you informed. I don't think there's really a vote at this time that needs to happen. there will be a warrant article that comes before you to borrow money and that at that time I think that will be when you vote to um move the warrant
article forward or not. Maybe there will be mult multiple multiple um warrant articles. I was on vacation so I haven't had 100% time to really figure out where we're going. I'm I'm waiting for people to get back to me to see if we can't make this happen >> and hopefully get them to to come back
with some better numbers. Right. is saying in general that hopefully get this number down. >> Yeah. Hopefully they I mean they can come up with ideas to cut and where we can cut and how we can do it and keep the grant >> right >> and not compromise the senior center portion of the building.
>> That's the balance that we're looking for because the grant itself is also at at stake because our June 1st meeting and is June 1st and to have a revote on that would have to be 35 days later. The grant expires June 30th. Mhm. >> So, we get voted on this week for the
$10.2 million in grant and grant from NBLC, but then if we don't vote it in June 1st, it's really the one shot we have at it. So, it is up to the OPM at the moment. Uh Debbie did a masterful uh meeting on Friday. We we hammered them.
We hammered them. We we asked a million questions and we were firm. We we told them this is our top dollar amount that we were comfortable spending. They came in over. I think they felt the wrath of Debbie Petty that day. Uh and absolutely that's that's her job and and she's
going to continue doing so. Uh hopefully the numbers go down and this continues moving forward. Um so but as the residents voted for last uh last town meeting, pursue the grant. We did $10.2 million was what came out of it and that
was based on what the programming was needed for Freetown and their library. So >> yeah, and I think you know so this building how much was this building again >> of the 31 mil this building that we're in right now? >> Yeah, just for context and reference >> around 12 12 million.
>> So we're talking 31 million for this other building and then and >> double the size of this building. >> Yeah, it's and it's just the we know that the total cost is a great indicator of the upkeep cost. >> Correct. Um, so that's just something
else to to keep in mind. But at the same time, we know our town needs both these buildings. Yeah. >> So, we're in a bit of a pickle. I >> mean, I think the annual maintenance will be about $250,000. >> $250,000. >> Yes. And I I haven't honestly looked at what we're paying currently to give you
the offset, but it obviously we're not paying that much for the buildings that we have. >> Yeah. >> But we >> but we do have to pay for the ongoing maintenance, right? >> Yeah. There's no >> I I mean we definitely need a new library with a with plumbing.
>> Running water is uh is really nice. >> So I think that the the message that I've tried to send is that we are definitely a new building. We're not aborting that. We're going to we need a new building. It just may not be this building that's in the program
currently. Um but we need a new building. We got to keep moving forward. Hopeful that the architects can shave some money off. Maybe I can get a grant. I have applied. I'm going to apply for a second one. Maybe it will all come together. It seems to keep coming together just when we think it's not
going to. So, I'm I'm still hopeful. >> I totally agree that a persistent board and committee. >> Oh. >> Yep. >> You said >> the MBLC is voting Thursday. MLC >> to whether to give us officially the grant, but I don't expect us not to get
the grant. >> Yeah. Again, this was goes back the whole MBTA thing where it looked like it was dead and then we I I would be I was the last person in the world to expect us to vote that way. We did. And so now it's back alive. bill. Um,
>> I think if Debbie can pull off this cost >> to what was originally planned, I think it would have a very good chance to pass. >> I Yeah, I agree. >> It doesn't get down to that.
>> It's a big number. >> Yeah, we agree with you that, Uncle Paul. Agree with you. >> Yeah, >> I I persuaded the best I could >> to the people who needed to hear that. She did. I can attest to that. >> Yeah. And for context, it's not just a a
library. Uh although people have been asking for that for 30, 40 years. All right. It's also the council of aging that people have been asking for a bigger building for 30 40 years and also a meeting room auditorium like uh area for that so that we can get elections out of the schools, have town meetings
there, uh warming shelters. So it there is a piece of it for every every demographic per se in town, right? So it is needed. It's been asked for. It's been asked for. It's been asked for and here we are. So now we have to make some decisions coming up in the next couple months.
>> Yeah. And we have this room which is great, but but we also like I mean we know we have run into scheduling issues all the time because this is a popular room to use. It's the only one that has this kind of technology and this kind of you know ability. So I think having as the town grows and changes like you know having more spaces of this nature would
be great. So, >> all right. So, no vote on that, but but I appreciate the information. >> So, we're going to move on to uh personnel board. >> All right. That's that's me. All right. Item agenda number eight, discussion and vote to establish the season's pay rates
for parking control officer seasonal beach and boat ramp manager positions. A discussion vote to approve. Well, let's talk about that first, I guess. So, what are you guys thinking? Over the last couple years, we have increased that number. I think right now sitting
at $18 an hour. Um, right. Um, >> it's been 18 and >> 18 has been high. >> So, every year we seem to go back and forth of how many people we need and not to mention getting the people actually to not just apply but actually come to
work. So, are you folks thinking there's no bites yet? >> No. >> Didn't we just vote on on updating this to 20 to something? It's the $18 an hour is what we have posted. We've put on several different locations which are listed in your packet. It went in the
town's website, Mass Hire, Facebook, town hall, libraries, police department, fire department, council on aging. It was posted to Handshake, which is an employment system for local colleges. Um, I emailed the counseling department head at Aponic Regional High School and
sent it out to all department heads to share with their teams. So, I'm not sure where else I can go. Right. >> But the seasonal manager was listed 22 to 25 and the parking control officers were 18. >> And over the years we've had high school ch high school uh high school students
as well as college students. So we we were lucky then but it seems like this year uh we have to cast our net a little bit wider. So or we wait. That could be a discussion. We keep waiting until possible second. But the season is upon us. Um, I'd rather have that in
place ahead of time so that we can train them on everything from the training from the police that they get to the kiosk training, um, scheduling depending if we can get a manager. So, there's quite a bit that happens there. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I mean, >> I'm definitely comfortable going up with the number, but um, >> yeah, I mean, why don't I mean, I think the number needs to begin with it, too, right? Like it it can't go into the teens. I think it needs to start 20. >> Should we just shift everything? So if
we say like So the citation officer was 18, right? >> Correct. >> We say put that up to say let's just throw a number out there to 22. >> Okay. >> Um the the only question would be is how much do we have any idea like what we
look like numbers wise with that? Obviously we're collecting money from the kiosk, but >> we've been break even pretty much in the last couple years. >> Yeah, definitely. We've had a little bit of money left. Um, whatever comes in from the kiosk goes into the revolving fund and we just pick what number we need for the next year. We would have to
increase that number obviously. >> Yeah. >> Increase what fee we're charging. >> No, >> we can do that though as long as it's >> I don't think they're going to let us anymore. >> We're the highest. We're the highest in the state >> and they won't let us. Yeah, we already um >> we have to increase what we're pulling
from the revolver. So, as long as we're not operating in um a high red area already before we do that, then I'm okay with going to 22. I mean, we got to do something to try and incentivize people to come because if not, we we're just we're we'll be at the point where we'll
just >> have no one there, but then it find falls on these fine gentlemen in the back row over here, which isn't good to them, you know. So, um I'm I'm comfortable with 22. >> Yeah, I'm okay with only two. 22 for the citations citations.
>> And then I mean I guess then that means if we bump them four then do we bump >> the the other position $4 and go uh 26 to 29 >> right to for the manager. >> Yep. >> 26 to 29. I don't know. It's I I mean
that might be a little >> Well, depending on the staff we receive. So, if we had multiple staff members, you would definitely want somebody as a manager and a like a a vice manager or because sometimes people do go on vacation and it's summertime. People don't want to sit there the entire day at the beach and I we understand that,
but we also need someone there. And I definitely don't want Debbie or Lan there every single day because they have a life as well. Um, >> you won't be there. >> Yeah, >> I don't think >> I don't know. I mean, what do you guys think? I don't know about if that's pushing that position too high, but I'm
I was just saying for region reason clarity to go four on one, we might as well go four on the other to keep the gap the same. >> Yeah, I would go four. I think 26 is high enough on that. >> Yeah, I agree with you on that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, if you know anybody out there
in on YouTube world, please let us know. >> All right. So that said, we'll set the pay rates for the park control officer at $22 an hour and the seasonal boat ramp manager at $26 an hour. >> Make that motion. >> I will second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I.
>> All right. Discussion and vote to approve the appointment of Nancy Dery as ser commission member effective 531 2026 through 612027. I assume she knows she's being nominated. >> She's already nominated, >> right? She's just this is just a
reappoint for her. So if no comments, issues or concerns, we'll appoint her. All right, that said, entertain a motion to appoint Nancy Dery as serpent commission member effective 531 2026 through 61 2027. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. >> All in favor? >> I
>> I All right. >> Congrats, Nancy. >> Wow, we actually did really good on time. >> Yeah, we did. >> Masters in Start here. control.
>> How's everybody doing? >> This is the last >> after a while. It's like riding a bike. She knows for the Lakeside Festival. >> This is the last signature for travel. >> I wonder how many how many I've done. >> I don't know. >> Tens tens of thousands. >> This is all three of us, right?
>> Correct. Whether we want him to sign and sign off >> hasn't got any signature still bad. >> Just me. >> Just you on that one. >> Circuit appointment. >> I expect this to be on NY's wall next
time I go in her office. >> I will tell her that's her circuit appointment. Just you. >> Okay. >> Sure. She's excited. >> Oh, yeah. All right. >> The hallway. >> I was going to say there's going to be a
lot of desserts for me if nobody comes. Jeez, >> Chuck's in the room. Yeah. Ah, >> we have like a >> I don't know if the reps brought him one. We don't. It's just more of a
acknowledgement and a thank you kind of a thing. >> We do when we get to the >> Didn't see the faces for a while. You're like, "Oh yeah, we work here. Well, good good day, sir. >> Good.
>> Nice. Having fun? Look, a lot of good people. Thank you. Likewise. >> How are you again? >> Likewise. >> Evening. >> We're going to go up and >> congratulations.
>> Yeah, we do. Okay. So, I'm going to open with that one. Yes. They do. They haven't. Okay. Hey, how are you? Good. Got a little tear >> a little bit. >> They have one for theation. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Brought my bag so I can stuff it with cookies later. >> Removing my tripping hazard. >> I'm good. You said >> what? You said you were going to leave it. I am going to I am I in charge of
clapping. >> No dary we can make uh Trevor stay up here for a couple hours because we can just not close the meeting. >> All right, so they're all thanks Hello.
>> Thank you everyone for joining. >> Uh so I'm going to start off tonight by uh just first congratulating the Freetown Police Department on their accreditation on meeting their Massachusetts Police accreditation and I think uh Carol has a citation for that.
um replet and I as well as Senator Rogers's office have it and we want to >> we're going to kick off of that then we'll go into the blizzard stuff. So chief, >> so chief, >> it's a big deal getting reacredited. >> Yes. >> You have to go through a lot of hoops,
right? >> Yes. You've been involved in the program for uh over 20 years. Uh we started back in 2006 uh under the you know direction of uh Colton Abbott. He uh set the foundation for us. Since then we've been
in compliance and maintaining uh not only certification but onto the uh the bigger award of accredititation. If you can imagine, there's over 360 law enforcement agencies in the state. There are 250 of those agencies are part of this program. This program sets the
professional standards of law enforcement agencies. And out of those uh 258 law enforcement agencies, only 121 of us are accredited. Um it's something that's it's not easy to achieve. A lot of departments uh do
struggle with it, but once you set that foundation and those uh professional standards that we have been maintaining, like I said, for the past 20 years, we're very proud of it. Uh it puts us really in a good spot uh to the public and showing what we're really made of
here as a law enforcement agency. >> And because of that, uh myself, uh and Rep. Blette who represent together Freetown, all of Freetown, and of course, uh, Senator Rodri's office, uh, Moren Flanigan here. We wanted to let you know that we appreciate the work you
do, not only to be accredited, but every day to keep the people of Freetown safe. And so, we're very appreciative. So, if you come forward, I don't know if uh, you all want to say something more. You want to get in the middle, please? >> Oh, sure. >> Chief and Trevor, right there. So, this is presented to you and the police
department for your fine work and reacredititation. >> Thank you. Very excellent. Thank you. >> All right, you guys can stay. I think I'll have you guys stay up here. We're going to just We're going to go now and um and thank the different department heads for their efforts during the 2026
blizzard. Um so, we know that this the town did an amazing job. I think everyone um you know stepped up to the plate and did what they had to do and we survived. And personally I felt the effects of this just by driving through other towns and
coming to Freetown, you could see a noticeable difference on on the quality of the roads and and how we responded to that. Um so first I'd like to bring up um Chuck Mackar from the Freetown Police Department. No, >> sorry.
>> I read the wrong one there. >> It's my last name for that. Freetown Highway Department. >> Then I almost gave you the one for the fire. This is really screwed up here. >> That's That's what I'd rather have. Thank you very much.
>> Stand in the middle. >> I will stand anyway you want. >> Let's see him with a badging gun. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. You >> only get any complaint calls from Freetown, but let me tell you, Fall River had a lot. You were very lucky.
Beautiful. >> Beautiful. >> Expect us to be in your office hanging out. >> Absolutely. Thank you very much. On behalf of the team. >> So, how >> Yeah. So, uh, next up we're gonna have the, uh, let me see if I get this one
right. The Freetown Fire Department led by Chief Harry Ashley Jr. Mhm. >> I agree. >> If you folks want to stand from the highway department from the Oh jeez, I did it again. >> Too many departments.
Be careful. I know the highway or the fire department. >> We have the fire. We got the fire department. >> Fire department. >> Fire department. Sorry, >> guys. A few more to you. And we got yours with Trevor. We got them all here. Why don't you hold a citation? Sure. Make it look
>> the loop here. >> There you go. >> Congratulations taking a sip. I almost spit it out. >> Next, we'll have the >> Can I Yeah, please. >> I want to say just one thing about this tonight. Um
all all the people that are in this room, we signed up for this, right? >> We This is what we do. The people that deserve this recognition are our families. They were home making do. We always leave them at the worst time.
We come home when the work's done. us old guys. Yeah, our family's used to that, but we got a lot of young blood in here that wife's home, children are home, they're making do without us there. So, those
those are the people that deserve the citations and the and the thanks. So, next up, the Freetown Police Department led by Chief Scott Rose. Nailed it. >> Nailed it. >> The math was in your favor.
>> And would the folks in the police department please stand up as well? >> Thank you. >> Oh, sure. Break things. >> Thank you. Same with the rep. >> Yeah. Thank you.
>> Thank you guys. >> Thanks again. Great job. >> The men and women that you see uh in in the police uniform, they make me look good. They do all the heavy lifting. But uh Sergeant Ashley, can I have you stand up? These guys work the blizzard in this uniform. when you're walking through 30
inches of snow, it's not very uh convenient. But, uh, I feel for them. They marched through. Um, they rose to the challenge. They did a great job. So, from me to you, thank you. >> Up next, we're going to have the uh,
Freetown Public Safety Dispatchers led by signal operator Margaret Dyer. Well, you had to have a lot of calls in those days. When are you coming to plow? When >> I was I was listening to the dispatch and I remember like someone was like,
"You got to take a break." It was just nonstop. So, >> thank you so much for what you did. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I just wanted to thank my crew. Um especially um sometimes we get left out of things and it's nice to have that
separate recognition from the other departments. Um the five that worked all those days, the five that stayed on, we had several that stayed over. Um I just want to say thank you. They really, really, really worked hard and I appreciate it. >> Awesome. Thank you.
>> All right. Next we have the Freetown Facilities Department led by building commissioner Carl Brazaro. >> Congratulations. Did you have to keep all the equipment going? >> Yeah, we keep going. So I just want to mention a couple of words. So on that night we're coming out here. My wife goes, "Well, where are you going to free?" That's what we do as department
heads as employees and stuff. So that's what we do. So we trudge from the cushioning, get here and find why am I doing this? I know why I'm doing this. I go by the police, I see Chief Rose on a piece of equipment moving snow. I go by the fire, see firemen outside. We're all pulling together. There was no unions. There was no It's just we got to get out
of this. So, we all came together. I'm so proud of that. And this is why we do it for a small town. We do it because that's what we do. We want to get everybody safe. And so, we all came out and I'm glad to be a part of this team and I'm very proud of this town for showing up when you had to. Made a big difference in people's lives.
>> Thank you very much. There we go. Okay. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, we have Freetown Council on Aging led by uh Council on
Aging Director Rebecca Fry. >> I don't really have any words. really. >> Well, we know >> um you had a a uniquely difficult situation, you know, dealing with uh our senior population who are especially vulnerable. We we know that there was
lots of um situations where folks, you know, just couldn't get out of their house and were stuck. And, you know, we know that, you know, you you you helped in that situation a lot. So, I really appreciate it. Thank you. >> Great job. Thank you. You've done a great job. Thank you. How you doing?
>> Any of you seniors out there, she runs a great great next. >> All right. And finally, I'd like to uh call up uh uh town minister De Petty. Surprise. >> Someone's in trouble.
Deb, I mean, you did an amazing job uh coordinating with all these different departments throughout this entire ordeal. Um, I mean, I think that we all, you know, owe you a lot of thanks for your hard work and um, we really appreciate and everything you've done. So, thank you very much.
>> We'll pretend this one's for you. >> That's fine. Thank you. And if you don't mind. >> Yes, please. >> Great. Thank you. Well, I'm Morin Flanigan and I represent um Senator Rogers who uh wants to say
congratulations and wishes that he could be here, but it's my honor to be able to be at these um events and this one in particular. um having um getting to know all of you over the la last four years
and I know um how hard everybody works and how committed you are and um the incredible work that you've done not only in the blizzard but at the COA and um great plans for the future and how you all come together is just wonderful
to experience um on a regular basis. But um for from the senator's office, he has um composed the letter which will be given to each of the department heads. But it it's intended to be able to be um
copied and put into every employees uh folder to acknowledge that um of the incredible work that you've done and um and and to say thank you. So I'm just going to read one letter. um everybody got the same letter, but um you've earned that in your employee file and
that goes a long way for whatever you are planning in the in the future. Um so please accept my sincere appreciation and gratitude in recognition of the exemplary service you rendered to the town of Freetown during the historic
blizzard of 2026. your selfless actions, commandeering plows, operating sanders and salters, and the efforts police, fire, and ambulance first responders who answered the call to duty during this
unprecedented storm will not be forgotten. For over 36 hours, you enabled the town to maintain emergency and basic municipal services, battling a weather event of such ferocity that many of us had not witnessed for a very long
time. Thousands were snowed in, many without power, owe you a debt of gratitude for helping the community recover and get back on track. Of particular significance are those who connected and reassured our more vulnerable residents. some living alone
that you had know that you had their back. Again, thank you for your heroic service during the blizzard of 2026. I'm so proud and honored to represent the town of Freetown, where uncommon service is a common virtue. Signed by your state
senator, Michael Rodri. Congratulations and thank you again. We're good. We >> Okay. All right. So, um, we have some gifts for for all the individuals who helped out during the blizzard in the back. Um, I'm not sure exactly who how we're going to coordinate getting those
to everybody, but they are back there in some kind of organized fashion. And we also have a cookie and coffee, so please uh help yourself. Thank you very much. department >> of everyone. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, we want to get pictures of um everybody from each department with the
reps and marine and this is the leftman. So, if we can just start with let's start with fire up here. >> Sound good? We'll kind of gather over here. Does that work? >> Yes. I know. I know. That's why I like the back. stand
on somebody's going to put you guys right over here. We have time over there. >> So comfortable right here. >> Perfect lighting. >> How are you? >> Good.
over here first. I go around. >> Oh, I get to sit in the bed right here. >> This is our picture of trying to contribute somewhere. >> Come on in. >> There you go. >> I think we're supposed to sit, Carlos. They want us.
So, we need some people in here and then some people back. So, if you you could move forward here. >> Why don't you sit in >> You move forward in between here. >> Fire. Not so that way we stagger. Right.
>> Stand. >> You're good. You can stay. >> Is there a way for Lola? >> You don't want to sit? Keep after it does >> that. All right.
>> Let me come here. >> Little girl little but I'm sure. >> Great. Now you all have common freezone above your head. >> Look at this. Perfect. >> That's good. >> I don't know what one to look at. >> I know
your eyes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We all stay put. If the the department will leave, they'll bring somebody else up. >> All right. Next up, >> Highway Department. >> Bring everybody up. All the different
groups. Is that it? >> You know him. >> Got a twin. >> We got a couple things. >> Look at this one. >> What's going on, bud? >> You know. Hey, young man. >> Good. Very well.
>> Yo, we could get you a badge. >> Sorry about that. >> No, listen. Listen. I want the badge. >> The badge. I'm getting my taser. Huh? >> I'll be in a minute. >> That's good. >> That's right. >> Very possible. >> I didn't want to tell you that.
>> I I do that roll over the coat. >> Yeah, I roll over the coat and then I'm stuck. >> Been drinking again. Listen, >> we give him my secret wishes. >> Fantastic. >> Awesome. >> So coordinated.
>> Thanks, gentlemen. >> Thank you. Thank you, guys. >> Next up, we have the police. >> Chief Rose, >> I'm excited. >> Yes. Listen, I actually have some at the >> Sergeant.
>> Mom, you might want to move cuz they're taking pictures. >> Three days in a row. Her parking lot was >> right next to me. I'm going to stay the same >> to get to a main road to get to the guy she works with. >> Kobe
giant. Oh my goodness. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Even I couldn't get her flat ear, you know, like I didn't, you know, I it just it was too big. >> Fantastic. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you.
>> Dispatch letter that I read for all the >> facility is just going to be curl. This is crazy. Rebecca, like when you least when you least expect it, you have no idea what these people are doing, right?
>> Let's squeeze in. Tighten it up. >> Here we go. >> Dispatchers. That's right. >> We couldn't have done it without her. >> I want my position. Carl. Carl and Rebecca. Do you guys >> Carl and Rebecca?
>> Yeah, might as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah, I think so. >> I felt big hands on my shoulders. I think it was his. >> Thank you. Nice to tight. >> Small department.
That's everybody. >> Camera didn't break. >> Good job. Good job. >> All right. So then >> So should we do a fivem minute recess or what? >> Okay.
>> Everyone got their >> recess. Yeah. >> Just five minutes. I I don't think we need to go recess. >> Well, technically the thing that's >> that's a winner. >> That's car heart. >> Just like should I do it
>> because then we don't have to continue to record this >> like this process. >> Okay. >> 5 minutes. So I'll enter a motion to go into fiveminute recess. >> Motion made second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> No. All right. So we're now back in open
session. Uh so I actually did prepare a little speech today and I think it's my first time doing this. So uh here we go. So good evening everyone. So since everyone in this room pretty much already knows me, I'll keep this very simple. Um, so tonight marks my final
meeting as serving on the board of select room for the town of Freetown. And it's hard it's hard for me to put into words what these uh past six years have meant to me. When I first ran, my goal was simple. It was to build a community where I would be proud to raise a family. Standing here today, I truly believe we've done that. Over the
past six years, we faced challenges that tested all of us. COVID, infrastructure needs, legal matters, and a few blizzards mentioned tonight. But through it all, this town showed resilience. Together, we secured critical grants for sewer expansion and bridge repairs,
completed important capital improvement projects like additions to the fire station and council on aging and renovations at the town hall, and expanded services including the regional food pantry, um, and worked through and resolved complex legal issues that could have held us back. We also remained
fiscally responsible, maintaining balanced budgets while still making meaningful investments in our town. One of the things I'm most proud of is that we were able to increase compensation for our employees, recognizing the people who keep this town running every single day. But I cannot in good faith take credit for any of these accomplishments. They belong to the
elected and appointed officials, the volunteers, and the dedicated employees of this town. They belong to the state officials who supported us along the way. Some of their who are some of who are in this room tonight. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to Freetown. My fellow board members, while we did
not always agree, we always respected each other. We never let the one vote define the next, and we stayed focused on doing what was best for the town. I may have not always looked forward to every single agenda, but I did always look forward to working with uh through the issues with you folks. I want to
give a special thanks to our town administrator, W Petty, um, and her team, Lanna Lola. Your professionalism, organization, and dedication made my job significantly easier, and the town is better because of you. And finally, to my family. Thank you for your patience, your support, and your
understanding. The many long nights of meetings. I could not have done this without you. Freetown is a special place, and while my time in this role is coming to an end, my commitment to this community is not. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. And so according to my agenda now,
>> Gerald, Carlos, and Deb will speak with >> I'm the first one. So I'm the lucky one who gets to follow that. Uh I promise mine is short and sweet. Um good evening everyone. Tonight we are here to honor Trevor, a great man and friend. Trevor has been on the board for the past six
years and a chair for the past five. Uh with Trevor as chair over the past uh with Wow. with Trevor as chair for over the past five years. This board has uh many great accomplishments and no short part thanks to him. Uh your forward
thinking and decision-making will leave a lasting impression on this town for years to come. Your ability to allow everyone to be heard while keeping the meeting moving forward is second to none, especially when you are hungry. Trevor, as I'm sure you have heard this
a time or two before during your time here, um this truly can be a thankless job. So, from the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you for the service to this town. You will be missed uh by this board and the town. Thank you.
All right, I guess I'm up. All right. I I've known Trevor for about four years now, five years. Uh he's been the chair of our our committee, our board here. Um, not only is he a watch afficionado and a snazzy dresser, >> he's also has some grit. Um, like many before me and those after me, we were
elected on a Monday. Well, on Tuesday, he began work. And my first day at work here in town of Freetown was sitting upstage with Trevor while we were talking with the residents of Alexandria uh, regarding Excel. And one of the first meetings we had, we had folks with bags of potentially contaminated
material >> thrown at us, right, to make sure that we're doing our job. Well, that's a good metaphor for the next four years. We've had things highs and lows get thrown at us, right? We all have. And Trevor's been there as our chair making sure we we made it through. We made it through
as a town, as one team in one fight. Trevor, thank you. And God speed while you're golfing. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's truly an honor to sit before you tonight and recognize my boss and the chair of the board of selectman, Trevor Matthews.
Trevor was part of the board that hired me and gave me the chance to demonstrate how I could help the town. And for that, I'm incredibly grateful. From day one, he's been supportive, approachable, and genuinely a pleasure to work for. Over the past five years, we have faced many issues and some of them very difficult.
And I could always count on Trevor to approach each one with integrity, impartiality, and common sense. Trevor is a great leader. He is kind, thoughtful, smart, and I'm proud to call him my friend. Trevor, on behalf of all of us, thank you for your leadership,
support, and dedication to this town. You will be missed, and we wish you the best. I think we have a a plaque maybe. >> I don't know what happened, Zach. >> That's right. We have a different agenda.
>> I originally thought I was going to be over here, so I brought it over naturally. So, Trevor, on behalf of the town, we have a a tra a plaque to present to you. It says, "In appreciation of your dedication and service to the town of Freetown and Selectman 2020 through
2026." >> Awesome. Thank you. >> If not, we can have our representatives of state and and local come on down. >> The words that were spoken here today um are all true. Uh but um I just want to
comment to the residents of Freetown. We're supporting supporting players in this role. We support the town whenever Deb calls or the select board calls or Rebecca calls or the chiefs. We're here to help and do whatever we can. But on a
day-to-day basis to have someone spoken of with that integrity, kindness, um hardworking, those are incredible qualities. And in this political environment, you know, the way the world is today, uh to have
someone in your town working for you uh in that manner is um does not go unnoticed. It is it is it is sometimes rare, but it is always valued and appreciated. So, you will be missed. Uh you'll be missed by us as well. And on
behalf of um all of us here, we're going to present you uh with this citation. Although you're all familiar with the citation tonight by now, but this one is to you uh for your dedicated service to the town of Freetown. Thank you so much.
Thank you. >> We obviously we didn't get to work together that much being I'm a rookie. Carol's been here a couple more terms. Uh I do a lot through Debbie of course, but uh it's going to be sad to see you go and we appreciate everything you did for the town. Wish we could work with you longer, but I wish
you well. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. And can I just say one of the first times I met Trevor, um it was during a cleanup, a free time cleanup that you do and um you know I showed up to do my part and there he was right there picking up we had the stick, the
bag, the gloves and you know uh so again uh some people talk the talk and Trevor u walked the talk. So u very very very valued. >> April 11th, Carol, April 11th. Come on down. >> Oh boy. All right.
When the date works, it works. >> Okay. >> Thank you. So again from Senator Rodri's office, one of my u great pleasures in doing the job is being able to be here at these special moments to uh congratulate
somebody upon an accomplishment. six years of public service um uh for on a volunteer basis um elected by your or your peers is quite an accomplishment and a a great stepping stone for many
things to come in the future. On behalf of the state senate, this is an official citation be it known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its congratulations to select Trevor R. Matthews, in recognition of your six years of devoted and dedicated service
to the town of Freetown, and be it further known that the Massachusetts Senate extends its best wishes for continued success, that the citation be only signed by the president of the Senate, attested to in a copy thereof, transmitted by the clerk of the Senate,
and it's signed by President um Spila, the clerk, and your senator, Senator Rodri, who says, "Congratulations and thank you for your service. >> Thank you very much. Thank you everyone. Appreciate it. >> That's everything, right?
>> You guys want to do a motion to adjourn? >> Yeah. Also, my campaign manager Erin here is here. So, I think a special thanks should go to her. I wouldn't have been here if uh Good job. Okay. So with that I think for the last time I will entertain a motion to
adjurnn. >> Motion made. >> I second that motion. >> All in favor? I >> I