Good evening everybody. It is Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. With the quorum being present, I'll call to order the free town board selection meeting. Tonight's meeting will be recorded and will be available on the town's YouTube page. Uh we'll jump right into it. So agenda item one, discussion of vote
whether approve meeting minutes from 1526 and 11226. >> Questions or concerns? >> No. Good. Thank So I'll entertain a motion to uh approve the meeting minutes from 1526 and 11226. >> Motion made second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> I ag 2 discussion and review the special town meeting articles for 22 2026 which is tonight after this meeting. Okay. It looks like I have a nice little
packet here. the front page just when we continue to change. >> Okay. >> All right. Now, are we going to go article by article here or is there anything I mean we've done this a few times. There any changes that we need to know about?
No, I think the only question um that we have outstanding is the acceptance of algen way and um let's see the street there together way >> is this up in that new subdivision up in
peace town. >> Yes. Yeah. >> And I don't know, you know, um you were working with the the rep the the um applicant for accepting public lane and along way and
there was some issues with the easements and some issues with the deed and I I I thought >> that's not me. What are you working with? >> I think that was Shireen. >> Shireen. >> Was it Shireen? >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. So um yeah, my recollection is that there was still some outstanding
issues with respect to uh th those ways. Um so the road yeah there's the layout and acceptance and uh I can't recall where things were were left. >> There was some issues with the easement language which we were trying to work
out but of course the property's been sold. The easements were sold with the property. So now we need homeowners to sign. We need mortgage releases. And one of the question was um when this went through the planning board whether it needed an official public hearing uh
meaning that it had to go on the paper or or just having it on their agenda and having a public hearing was sufficient. And I don't know uh and that's that's so procedurally have we done what we needed to do? >> Well, there is there is a requirement for a uh
>> there's a requirement for a public hearing. Um I don't believe there's there's offic So there was no there was no advertising of it. Is that what you mean? >> Right. It was just put on the planning board's agenda and they had a meeting. >> I I I believe that that's sufficient >> and that's what I my research
>> I don't believe that there's a requirement advertised public hearing. The issue with the the uh acceptance of the easements, this article would authorize um the town to acquire those easements, but ultimately the the easement language would have to be
satisfactory to the board. So, the mere fact this article was voted doesn't doesn't solidify the language of the easement that that still can be resolved after the meeting. So, we're okay in that regard. >> I think we're going to move forward with it. Um, yeah, that was that was that was
that's the only issue that's really popped up. >> And that's a subdivision way, so it's uh uh just a simple majority vote, not a 2/3. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I think I I know Shireen was aware of that. >> Yeah. Um
sorry, I deal with so many different things. I'm Oh, >> going to deal with I'll ask Robin when she comes tonight. So, >> all right. I know. That's what I mean. But I was thinking, you know, I knew Robin was coming. >> Oh, I got I got I thought you were going to surprise me in there just
>> Yeah. >> I I knew this was Robin. Yeah. >> I thought you were saying like, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. We >> So, you you said that it's only a simple majority, right? Because there was some question >> subdivision subdivision ways um that that that were part of a subdivision plan subject to the hearing at the at
the planning board level um are are only the acceptance would be a simple majority vote by town meeting and that's that's in the warrant. >> Perfect. That's the way we had it and there was some questions in regards to whether or not it was uh majority vote. Perfect. >> Okay. And that's really it. There's no
other issues that have come up that I am aware of um for the either since we've gone through this the last time. >> Well, I think I I have a a fair number of funding articles. I know Michael will will indicate. I think those coming from free cash. >> Yes,
>> that's what we usually do with specials. >> All free cash. Um other than the water articles which are coming from retained earnings, >> right? Retained earnings. which is their free cash, right? Exactly. >> Exactly. Right. Right. Right. >> So, other than that, I think we're good to go. I don't think there's any
>> Do we want to take I know we we began unofficially a discussion about the MBTA zoning articles and uh yeah, >> obviously that's that's >> I anticipate the hot topic tonight. >> I think everything else is probably going to be sideshow stuff. um even
though it's it's significant to you, but I think most of the folks there and the folks at the state level who are watching this very very carefully. So, as as I was saying to Trevor and to Carlos, I don't know if if you heard this, uh but earlier um we we've been
getting a lot of communication from the attorney general. They they've been communicating with us on every every um town meeting, special or annual, that this has come up. uh to the extent that I've actually gotten emails from the assistant attorney general right as an
article is coming up for a vote. You know, like looking around watching over your shoulder and and and so um when we continued this article, they did this this uh uh meeting. They were aware of that. Um they did email me just last week to find out if we're going to
continue again and to keep them posted. Uh we had the uh Mass Municipal Association annual uh reception and convention last week. Uh I met with the assistant attorney general there and then they did give us and and at that time they said they were still looking
to see what uh the remaining there were I think a dozen towns that were outstanding looking to see what was happening with them. Uh some like you were were were moving forward with action some were not and so since then um we have seen the filing of an actual
complaint in court. So that was that was filed end of last week and uh it names I think it's nine towns >> nine >> nine towns Freetown is not included and as I was saying earlier specifically because of tonight. >> So had we not been going forward tonight
or at a continued meeting if we did not have this action you would have been a defendant in that complaint. They're giving you uh an opportunity to uh to complete your action tonight. Obviously, if if this fails tonight, we can anticipate imminently a uh a filing of
an amended complaint that will include the town free town. And so then you will be in active litigation with the uh with the state. >> Yep. >> That's my expectation. >> Questions I have. So, >> just for the public, just so you know, >> and I know you don't you do not have a
crystal ball, but um let's say >> so let's say if if uh we are included in the complaint based on tonight's vote starting tomorrow, um what what are how will this progress? So, you know, what kind of burden will that put on the town?
>> So, the complaint seeks declaratory jud judgement and injunctive relief. It doesn't it doesn't frame out what relief is actually being sought. It's a fairly thin complaint. And so at this point, uh, we would have to file an answer once once once you're served, we would file
an answer. You could send this to insurance, but there's there are no damages and it's a zoning dispute. You're not going to have insurance coverage for that. Uh, from there, we're not really sure. It's it's it again, we don't know exactly what the attorney general is looking for. What they've
told me is that uh they would be opening to uh pausing litigation as and sustaining the pro process in order to um allow for additional action by municipalities. What that action would be, we don't really know. So, one of the
issues is what can they actually bring to bear and um we discussed this quite a bit with with amongst ourselves whether a court could actually mandate zoning changes. You know, Robin's got a very strong opinion on this. I'll let her talk about this in a moment. Robin
spends a lot of time on zoning. And uh uh so there there's the issue uh the suggestion had early on been that the state would seek the appointment of a master. the master would then determine where the zone should be and ask the court to implement it. And that gets
into the issues that I'll let Robin speak about in a minute. Um the some of some of the towns I've spoken to have said, well, we already have a zone that has been pre-approved by the executive office of housing and Liverpool communities and could they just
implement that? Mhm. >> I did ask the attorney general, I think it was a couple weeks ago, the assistant attorney general, what they and uh actually I think I had three assistant attorneys general on the phone at the same time. I felt really like I was
under under force of arms, but uh and I told him, I don't expect to be able to answer me, but is this a possibility? would litigation if if and again putting Robin aside for just a second because she'll she'll walk all over me on this issue, but if we could resolve it by
litigation implementing the zone that the town preferred, is that a possibility so that even though we're on opposite sides of a V in litigation, we're we're working together to to resolve this and we're not looking to make this extensive litigation. They
would not answer that question. They wouldn't tell me yes, we would do that. My other point was, are you instead going to take a punitive position and say, "You guys didn't do it on your own, so now we're going to do it and we're going to place it where we want to place
instead of where you came up with." And and so again, they would not they would not answer that. They didn't indicate that they were pulling back any of their cards. Uh they they they they were holding all their cards. using a really bad poker analogy, but uh uh in general
um there's this issue of can they impose zoning by by judicial decree. The other thought would be if that if that ultimately is not an avenue uh to resolve. Obviously, there's the marshmield case that's still out there that is primarily having to do with the
uh the unfunded mandate issue, but there are other issues that this this very issue was raised by council and whether the court's going to address that since that's primarily an unfunded mandate case. But if this, as you know, the Milton case resolved the constitutionality of the law. The law is
the law all the way up to the Supreme Judicial Court. we can't fight about whether um towns can be uh dictated to in this manner because the state said you can. So the issue now is what's the remedy? Uh again Marshall case likely is just going to be on the unfunded mandate
whether they address this issue. Then it leaves out this issue of um zoning by litigation and whether a court can impose litigation. We this this is very unique. We've never seen this before. No, it's not something that obviously once we're in litigation, we'll be discussing this in executive session as
to strategy and and where we go from here. So that's why we don't want to spend a lot of time talking about what could be litigation. >> Uh Robin, do you want to speak briefly as to the 4A implications of zoning by by judicial degree? >> Yeah, I mean again, like Mark said, we
don't want to go too far down the lines, but if you if you if you know, if this doesn't pass tonight, you end up in litigation, then we'll talk about it in executive session. And you know, we don't want to throw too many ideas out there, but I think you're all familiar with the concept that zoning is normally amended through the 485 process. And so there's a lot of dispute amongst land
use practitioners and just folks familiar with this area about whether or not that is the only way or if a court can say, "Well, if the town's not going to do it that way, you know, we can order it as some remedy." Um, and so we don't know the answer to that question. Um, my personal opinion is that no
matter what, if towns don't adopt this, they're going to be found out of compliance with the law and they're likely to at some point face fines >> or some kind of contempt something or other. How much authority a court can fix it, we don't know the answer to it.
Maybe that the legislature changes something and changes the remedies or amends the statute. We don't know what'll happen. Um I think to Mark's point, you know, the complaint is very limited in the the detail as far as a request for relief. It basically says we want a declaration of the towns are out
of compliance. We want an injunction um to the fullest extent with the court's authority. So they are, you know, not really brainstorming for us publicly what what they may ask for, but um I don't think you're going to really have too much of an argument that towns that
haven't adopted it are out of compliance. So I mean when you don't follow the law there are consequences whatever it is right speeding tickets or whatever I mean that's the end you know so um you know I mean ideally you won't see yourself in that position but if you do then you know that that'll be a time
for us to regroup and talk about it in more detail. >> Yeah I agree I think I not just because we're in open session you know litigation we just need to be very careful we we we don't as indicated we don't have a crystal ball. >> Yeah. And so, and we also we having
spoken to um the assistant attorney general who kind of heads up this process. And then, excuse me, the uh the enforcement folks, I mean, again, at the at the MMA convention, uh they I I met with a couple of them and when the when
the complaint was filed, they were the same, I think three, maybe four on the phone at that point. And they're being very cy. the complaint itself is very caging when when uh uh Robin says, you know, they they they're not brainstorming for us. I think they're not they're not forecasting at this
point. And I think it's because they either they don't know what they're going to do or they have an idea and they don't want to put it out there yet because they have nine defendants and then a couple of more. It's not just you. There are a couple of other towns that are kind of waiting the wings. some
that have a different classification in terms of the size of the town and and and different aspects. So there there are some some additional filings that will likely happen. But uh I think it it it should be made clear to the town
tonight that this is not a theoretical fight. This is this is a definite fight should it not pass tonight. Now, I'm obviously one thing I' I've I've spent a lot of time talking to the attorney general about is the separation between the executive and the legislature that
you are the you as the executive body put this on the warrant. You have the control of the warrant under under chapter 39 section 10 and uh you through the administrative process put together what you think is an appropriate zoning mechanism with with with appropriate
locations that you think at least on paper meet the the intent of the law. uh have the least impact on the town. You bring them forward as the best compromise that you could bring forward to achieve compliance. But ultimately you as much as you could recommend and
control of it, you can't tell the the legislative bodyweing what to do. That's an independent body. >> And it's interesting we're usually in the opposite situation where town meeting directs and we see it sometimes in petitioned articles. You've seen it before. town meeting says select select
board you shall do X >> and we'll our response and it's not the one that a lot of a lot of town meeting uh attendees like is when we say you get to uh authorize you you can't obligate town meeting doesn't direct you as the
executive there's that separation between legislative executive there's a long line of cases that that keeps that separation of powers so usually we're in the opposite situation in this situation we have a number of municipalities uh for your town among them that have spent
a lot of time putting together uh a detailed zoning plan and now you you're bringing it forward. you you may want to tell the town, let's just get this done and do it, but town meeting ultimately has that decision and uh it yeah how
much political capital you want to expend. You you're going to be out there uh trying to give them some direction, but at the end of the day, they yell and scream and don't want to vote or they jump in and say, "Okay, you know, we we get it and we give." Um and and it's not a situation where us as attorneys or you
as the executive body are getting up there and saying we want this. It's more the state told us to do that and we're trying to comply because if we don't comply there there will be consequences and the immediate consequence of course
is the removal of funding. There's there's a listing of specific of grants that will be removed. type the only real one that I know that is exempted from that. There are certain MSBA uh built pro building projects that are that are not going to be the subject, but there's
a fairly lengthy list of grants that will impact uh if if you're not in compliance. That's the first avenue. And then beyond that, you know, as Robin talked about, we just don't know what the what the state is going to do. But they're not giving this up. This is not
a situation where the state's going to say, "Oh, you tried two, three, four, however many times." And we joke about this, not joke about it, we we we find it interesting that under the law, as you know, um a a zoning bylaw that's been rejected, can't be brought back for
two years unless uh uh there's a specific plan for vote. And and uh um we we've seen some that are coming back for the third time. >> Yeah, exactly. and and one one of the ones that I'm dealing with there's would have been actually the fourth time once
they they brought they sent it back to committee uh recommendation when we thought it was going to fail they tried two more times and the select board is now I'm meeting with them next week to see are you going to bring it back up third or four essentially fourth time and uh the attorney general doesn't
doesn't care about this nicity of the two-year you know uh limitation of bringing zoning by back attorney general wants the stump they they're They're not fooling around. They've been in touch with us uh extensively on this issue. They're not fooling around. >> Gotcha.
>> And actually on that just because I know it's not in the warrant. Did the planning board recommend approval this time? >> Yes, I believe so. >> And it did change substantially the last time. >> Yeah. No, no. And I know that it's recommended at least one of the prior times. I just it it wasn't before. >> Well, Mike and and Michael always asks
for that and I'll remind her. >> So, speaking of town meeting, are is that at 6 o'clock? 6:30. >> 6:30. >> 6:30. No, >> I was I was getting anxiety attack there. >> That's why you said Mark, enough. Shut up. >> Well, I was I was about to do that, but okay.
>> You you you were always able to do that. >> No, that's good. Okay. So, sorry. I wasn't listening to last point, but you So, like, was that was that the question whether the pling board did recommend this? >> I just had a question because I wasn't >> I think I think they >> they did, but they changed where it was located, right? There was some some
changes to it in general, >> but that's what's actually in in the article. >> Correct. That's But they they took a vote recommend. >> Yeah. And like like I was saying, Michael will will prompt to get that reportable recommendation. He always does. >> Yes. >> All right. Well, we will see.
>> Yeah. >> Any other questions from the >> No. All right. Y'all stand by. >> We'll be there. >> We're way behind you. Way behind. >> No. No. We're there. That's what we're here for. So yeah. So for agenda item two, there's no vote, right? Because we're not
changing anything. We've already approved, I think, everything as it is. I think we're good there. Uh so so article three, we can skip. >> All right. Article four. Chief, you're up. >> Discussion over whether to declare the following uh vehicle surplus for the police fleet and see what to do with
each vehicle. And then um that in the pack was very helpful having kind of the breakdown of each vehicle. And um I don't have it in front of me. I know, correct me if I'm wrong, three of them the vehicles we'd like to um put on the
municip and and then one of them's scrap. >> That's correct. Three of vehicles do have some value where someone could recover and operate them. One of them, the uh Dodge Charger, is something that we've used to uh cannibalize for parts
and it's uh not in good shape. Doesn't even have tires on it. So, it really should be going to the scrapyard. >> Okay. Cool. >> And I'll just read the four vehicles just for the public record. So we have a is a 2013 Ford Inceptor. Did I say that right? Interceptor. >> Interceptor.
>> Interceptor. Wow. Utility. Uh 2026 Dodge Charger Pursuit. 2018 Dodge Durango Pursuit and a Ford 2004 Interceptor utility. >> Yeah. And it's a 2016 Dodge >> 2016. Sorry.
>> Yeah. You said 2016. It's been a long long week for me. >> It's Monday. >> Okay. Uh any other detail? I mean, it was the in the packet you guys saw. It's pretty informative. And >> um do we have to put on minimum bids?
>> You might want to have uh with some direction on that. >> Yeah. So, you'll declare all four of them as surplus. >> Yeah. >> And then A, C, and D would go to municip B is the one that's going to go to scrapers parts. Um, municip will ask for
if we have a reserve or a certain number that we don't want to. Usually there's a bid that I can start at and you won't take less than that. >> So, a minimum bit bid auction. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we could probably do Kelly Blue Book minus $1,000. I'm thinking
what do you guys think? >> I mean, that that seems reasonable. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I bring up the same set I bring every time. You don't want to start it too high and let people drive it up from there so you don't have to bring it back to us to revote it. >> Um, do you have a sense of value?
>> Not really. Uh, they're all in different conditions and u >> less than five grand. >> Um, >> yes. >> That's I mean police had some stuff that sold much higher than we thought and then we've had other things that
>> don't sell at they don't sell at all. >> I mean, obviously these days, used vehicles prices have gone way up there. Just fewer vehicles out there and, you know, between the economy and and what people can spend and you go to a car dealership, it's it's shocking what's getting top dollar these days. So, you
never know. >> Um, so, you know, obviously, but I agree, Jared. You know, you don't want to you don't want to scare the biders off with a with a high initial, you know, a higher requ. >> Yeah. And I think people will drive it up if they see fit, right? So, it's like I almost just it's it's a simple revote
for us, but it's just that much more to bring back in front of us for you guys, right? So, why >> has the vehicle sitting in in your lot longer >> that's why it's like you almost just want to start them all at a th minus uh the one that's
scrapped to start them at $1,000 or something, right? >> Yeah. I mean, I'm okay with that. If I think they're going to go >> and then let people drive it up from there. If it's worth five grand, 10 grand, they'll do it. They're not going to sleep on it. Well, I mean, it's everyone's call. >> I have no issues. >> Yeah. The only question I have is we get rid of four vehicles. Uh, is the are you
folks going to come back to us in, let's say, June for a release of additional vehicles to replace these? >> Uh, we staying consistent with our cruiser lease program that's been in operation well over 10 years. >> Um, the decommissioned vehicles that are presented here already been replaced by
vehicles that we have purchased. Next year we're in line to look for one vehicle to replace another vehicle that we're going to be taking out of service. >> And we have that article I every annual we wanted to uh >> that's to update the lease. >> Yeah. >> Is that 2121? Is that kind of how
>> uh threeyear program it's usually 221. >> 221. >> Do you think a thousand minimum bid is reasonable? >> Oh, I believe so. I think uh at least somebody could purchase it and scrap >> scrap it for the >> Well, not scrapbook, use it for parts. Yeah. Yeah. Berkeley used auto was local
business. >> Sure. Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. I'll probably just do this in two different motions. So, I'll entertain a motion to um declare uh vehicles A through D in the packet a surplus. >> Motion made. Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> I. And then another motion here. I will entertain a motion to post um vehicles A, C, and D on municip. I think I'm saying that right. with a minimum thousand bid and to send uh B in the
article to scrap sell for scrap. >> Motion made >> scrap or parts. You said scrap on the plan. >> Scrap is recommended. >> I think the parts have all been taken off it. >> Scrap it is. Second that motion strips. >> Yeah. All in favor? I I
>> All right. And I don't have to. It doesn't matter what scrapard we send to. Is that enough? kind of guidance on that to >> that at that value it's still over >> it's it becomes a commodity >> person will show up sold >> drag it off
>> all right uh five discussion of vote whether accept donation from Mr. and Mrs. Nichols in the to the council on aging in the sun with $50. Thank you very much for the donation. >> Absolutely. >> Any questions or concerns? >> No. No. >> All right. So a motion to accept the donation for the council on aging.
>> Motion made. Second. All in favor? >> I I >> I. >> Agenda item six, discussion of vote awarding the request for quotes for the sale and associated services for map 240 lot 016. And this is that whole situation. We had a couple
>> the tax title the tax taking. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Tax taking that we then we get an appraisal on it and we have to we are now we originally voted to keep it. Now we're voting to sell it. Yeah, >> you voted to sell it. And so now we had
to get um fees from um real estate. >> They're becoming real estate agents. >> Yeah, >> that's what we're doing. >> This is the craziest love. >> This is just the lowest bid really on the real estate agent so we can put this on the market.
>> Okay. We we really don't have any options here. >> Not really. >> Yeah, if I remember correctly, we only had one quote, right? >> I don't know. >> We had one that came in by the date that we said in the quote. Another one did come. It was higher, but it was late. >> Older than me. And >> so for yourself that shows you saw three
once I >> saw seven. >> Well, yeah. As always, three or more. That's you're in good shape. >> And for the folks at home, we have to piece a property to tax title. We have to now go through the process of selling it. and any of the any of the value
that's over and above what is own in taxes, we have to then return back to the home the prop former proper standard >> under current current law all the way up from the Supreme Court. >> It's a very interesting situation. Okay. So, with that, I will entertain a motion
to uh Oh, sorry. Who's I don't even know who I'm >> I don't have it in my in my in front of me. It's >> Brower is on the next one. Mhm. No, it's not. >> No, we're having Debbie sign it. But
you're awarding it to Cindy Brower Real Estate. >> Brower. Yeah, >> I think that's how you say it. Yeah, it is. >> So, I entertain a motion to award the request request to Cindy Brower Real Estate for the sale and associated services for map 240 lot 016. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I.
And this next agenda item is related to that. This is for Deb to authorize all the documents related to the sale. So with that, entertain a motion to authorize how administrators sign all documents relate to the sale of map 240 law 016. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I.
>> Okay. Agenda item eight, discussion to vote whether approve the uh uh MOA between the town of Freetown and Public Employees Union Local 272 Lyona Highway for wage adjustment to the head mechanic position.
It's actually a neat thing that happened. So, we had this individual that's been working there for all these years. He took on he saw an opening for the next position to advance himself. >> Um, based on his time and grade, uh, it was a 31 cent difference and pay. >> Okay. >> So, we keep at the same pay or bring it
up 31 cents to the first step for that mechanic position. >> Yeah. >> So, to me, it's going it's a no-brainer. Give the individual 31 cents because it's the thing to do for that position. Yeah. >> The right thing worked out in his favor, which is great. Okay.
>> Yeah. Single one. >> All right. So that a motion to approve the MOA between Town Freetown Public Employees Union Local 272 L Iona Highway for the wage adjustment to the Hemch position. >> Motion made second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. Agenda item nine for the snow
angels. So discussion of vote whether authorize council agent um director to establish snow angels program to coordinate volunteers to assist in snow cleanup for disabled and or senior residents. Just really quick, the last snowstorm
kind of hit us um unexpectedly and and I think it hit multiple departments unexpectedly and the amount of phone calls from different departments that I received um really led me to believe her we didn't have a plan at all and I
certainly didn't have a plan. Um so I think this is probably a bigger a bigger discussion probably for a different night. I know it's on the agenda in a couple of weeks, man. Right. On the 23rd and planning on coming back and um probably with a few other people
at that time. There's many different departments reaching out to me like what do we do? >> Yeah. >> Um we don't we don't so >> snow plan. We need snow plans and we need and especially for I mean I can imagine >> for a senior community it's a serious problem. Well, and there were people go
there were snowplow drivers going out quoting people $500 to do their driveway and that's half of some of their monthly income. >> Um, so there needs to be a better answer. I don't know what that is. Um, I have a couple of ideas, but I would like to talk with more departments rather
than just me. >> Yeah. One of the things I was reading through the packet on this and that was something that was brought up, right, was the exuberant amount of money people were trying to charge some of the seniors is sometimes they have like registered
registered people that you can go to write businesses. So we find a way to affectuate these five businesses they people send in for quotes. It's going to be tough to do because it's per driveway basis. But if there's a way that we can get people and I don't know and I don't
I'm I'm opening up a whole can of worms and there's a lot to go through. >> Like I said, this is a much bigger conversation tonight. >> But it's it is something that is scary to think about that someone feels like they have no other choice and they go ahead and do it and they free time. We have big driveways. >> Absolutely.
>> Exactly. >> Yeah. I mean, I was out of the country when we had that snow and I had to have Luckily, my neighbor just got a snow pile, so he took care of me. But it was a >> Not because you're >> No, no, I like the idea. Um,
>> yeah, I think we got to do something. We have a lot of people with home health aids that were coming with shovels and trying to get into the people's home. Had to shovel themselves >> and the snow's not going anywhere. Like, it's bad right now. So, >> but I think it's not a good situation. To Jared's point, I am aware that some towns have taken it upon themselves to
put out a bid document. Not that the town is necessarily paying for the service, but that would establish pricing so that you don't have those $500 quotes. Instead, you have a schedule linked to a particular vendor or vendors so that there's a list that's
maintained so people know who they can contact >> names may maybe make their names public something list >> and that could be put on the town's website and the and the pricing could be included based upon a a procure a bid
process that you undertake even though you're not paying for it. It's it's for the benefit of the residents. That's just something >> depend on driveways. The amount of times I heard I have to see the place first. I have to see the driveway first. >> And that's a good point as well. It's just they're number one size fits all.
>> No. But but at the very least getting the names to to to have people submit their their uh level of interest. >> Yeah. And I feel like someone who had >> um their name associated with that list won't then try and charge that crazy
amount of money, >> right? because they know they're going to be kind of held to it. If they want to stay on this list, they can't go out and charge. >> There are actually ways of developing the pricing even though yeah, it's it's per her per her per her per her per her per her per her per her per her per her per situation but uh um providing some kind of mechanism so that the pricing
isn't just whatever the vendor feels like charging at the particular moment because of the particular situation. There there are there are ways to come up with creative procurement. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, you want to hold on this vote? Okay. Yeah. Sorry. No, thank you. >> No, good information. That's
>> it's a great idea. >> Like any and all. I'm just kind of broaching the topic so we can off from there. >> And we have like like you know we've had pretty light snow years for the last couple years. So it has it kind we kind of forget about it, right? >> Yeah. We forgot what real was like. And this you know >> we found out
>> in one weekend. >> I never knew my cell phone was public until >> Thank you. All right. Agenda item 10. Discussion about whether to approve the snowplow application for Benjamin Job for winter 2025 2026. All documents are written there. >> All right. Any questions or concerns?
>> No. >> All right. So without a motion to approve snow application for Benjamin Job for winter 2025 2026. >> Motion made. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. All right. Now I'll kick it over to personnel. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. All right. Item agenda number 11 discussion vote with to approve the following
appointments. A. Rebecca Fryas to building committee council of aging representative effective 23 20226 through 6:30 2026 B. Paul Sad to council of aging library community building committee at large member effective 47 2026 through 6:30 2026. C. Karen Carling
>> Odley. >> Odley, thank you. as an election worker as an unenrolled vote with term expiring 8:15 2026. And D, Andrew Simmons as head mechanic, effective 2526 through 6:30 2026. All right. Amba, I know that
committee well. We'd love to have them and keep him. And of course, Karen Andrew, great addition to our family. Well, Andrew is already there, but welcome Karen. Any questions, concerns? >> Nope. All right. That said, I entertain a motion to approve um items A through D
and agenda number 11 to vote approved to the following appointments. >> Make that motion. >> I will second it. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. All right. Moving along to item agenda 12. Discussion and vote. We had to approve the job description for seasonal snow plow shoveler position. So, it snowed.
We've had to adjust some of the the things we do here in town and how we label those things um to be sure that safe and effective employment and employees while doing this. Snow is heavy at times and we'll make sure that's done correctly. So the position
need to be updated and here it is. Um of course the the position will be advertised and actually it is advertised um and descriptions out there. So if you're interested in pushing some snow, let us know. Do we have a rate yet? Oh gosh. >> It's the next writing.
>> Oh wow. >> So >> I should have saw that. >> No reading ahead. Mr. Chairman, >> I read my section. >> This is hard. >> But as far as the the position, I think we're all concurrent like in agreements there. If not. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, we have people right now
doing it that probably shouldn't be everyone. We have a lot of people who chipped in and so yeah, it's a no-brainer. I will say that we have we only have Tim in our facilities department that is available to shovel snow. Of course, Carl has come as the
head of facilities and shoveled snow. I will say the fire department shoveled snow. We had a lot of people this week that really came together. I have to say this that we have the most incredible teams. They worked very collaboratively, very cooperatively, everybody all hands
on deck and everybody did what needed to get done to get the job done. fire department was changing tires. Chuck's equipment was breaking down left and right. And rather than the guys go home, they went back to the shop and they repaired the equipment. And they went back out on the road. They worked for 30 hours in excess uh straight. The police
chief was shoveling his own snow and and and running his equip uh running the highway equipment to keep his parking lot clear. So when I tell you all hands on deck, it was all hands on deck and everybody did what needed to get done. So, I can't say enough for the teams
that you have here in the town of Freetown. Um, but we, that being said, we need some help. I mean, they did it. They got done, but it wasn't pretty at times. And, um, it's not a good feeling to to
not no not sure who's going to do what, but they got it done. >> Yeah. >> So, this is maybe a way to alleviate some of the help, uh, some of the issues if we could just call in a few people to shovel. >> Yeah. So, that was actually be my question, my only follow-up question because it's a no-brainer that we do
this is how many how many do we try to go if for some reason we had 20 people apply, how many do we feel like? >> I would say all of them. >> We could hire all of them. They're not they're not grabbing any benefits or anything. >> Yeah. No, absolutely. >> So, I mean, I think the thing would be
you gauge it by and I would work with Carl, the head of facilities, um, and say, "Hey, if we're expecting six in, we need this amount. if we're expecting 10 inches, we need this amount. Maybe we even shift them, right? I mean, these guys work 30 hours around the clock. That's not doable for most people. Um,
so, you know, we we just will just have to gauge it that way. >> Absolutely. I'm okay with that. I'm just curious if there was anything that was thought of ahead of time and that's why I'm asking. >> That was kind of the thought process is depending on the expectation of snow would gauge how many we would call in.
>> Makes complete sense. And how the how long >> I should go to the you know my brother has MMA gym if I should go to them and frame this as a exercise >> be cardio. >> They might pay us to do it. >> That would be awesome.
>> We can be on to something here. >> All right. Um hearing no comments or concerns. I entertain a motion to approve the job description for the seasonal slow shelter position. >> Make that motion. >> I will second it. >> All in favor? I >> I. All right. Since we approved that position, now we must talk pay rate.
Item agenda 13, discussion and vote. Set the pay rate for the seasonal snow shoveler position. >> All right. So, snow shoveling is not an easy task for any of you that have a semi- long driveway or badback or any of the above. Snow is heavy and
inconsistent and constant. So, we do have positions as a predeem like let's say like the boat ramp. I think they get paid around 18 an hour, right? Um, same thing with our people that open our gates around there. $16 to $18 an hour. Minimum wage in masses, I believe, still
$15. Correct. So, what are your thoughts, folks? What are you thinking? >> I'm thinking like I threw it. I drew it over. I think I'm like 20 bucks an hour at least. >> That's actually where my head was at. It was 20. >> I can't imagine. >> If you're putting people out in the
weather conditions, right, there's got to be something about that. and manual labor. I think 20 is a fair number. >> Yep. And I think that's where we start. >> Good way to start, right? And then need to bring it back to a vote at future meetings like we've done the the plow drivers and everything else, right? So,
>> yeah. >> What do you think, Deb? >> I I don't know. I have two thoughts. I mean, I think if we could get, you know, high school students, if we could get young people, $20 an hour is fair. I think if you're if you're looking for somebody else, they're not coming out for $20 an hour. So, I think we start at 20, see what we get.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. All right. Uh that said, I will entertain a motion to set the pay rate to $20 an hour for the season snowplow shovel position. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. >> All in favor? >> I I >> And we'll see this motion again in a
couple. >> Maybe we're done for the winter, >> right? Yeah. You never know. >> Snow. >> All right. Now we just >> Yeah, exactly. >> But we had enough. >> So now we just need a sign and then we're going to go to the meeting. If if
we had another storm, I think it would have really hurt the most. >> We were close. >> Yeah. They were saying nora back >> just cuz we had no place to put the snow, right? Like so I I think >> I read online that the storm storm at
its heaviest point out to sea was showing two to three feet if it would have hit here at the heaviest point. >> Oh my goodness. >> So we we were very lucky there. >> No, had given us a heads up on dates. we wouldn't be talking about. >> You know, it's funny. When we were trying to book the original town
meeting, Lyn's like, "Hey, that's probably going to be the first Blizzard there is." I said, "You brought it on that one right into existence." >> Yeah. >> Thank you for keeping us a prize because sometimes, you know, keeping up with the schedule is going to be >> Oh my god.
>> Extremely helpful. >> That was really Yeah. >> Find a date. It was hard to find another date >> and find a date. Find a date. Find a date. >> Yeah. Exactly. any of these me. They're just gonna keep challenging. >> No, the middleman. >> I'm just hand.
>> You're doing great, Debbie. >> I know, right? >> Look at me. Go. I can hand papers. >> Exercise. >> You're covered in case carpal tunnel sets in. We have it on camera. >> Oh, there is one. >> We'll give you one left out.
>> I got three. That's it. I mean, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yep. I already had them do them because they had >> All right. And so we are going to close this meeting. >> Before you do, Trevor, if I could just
take just a a quick >> Please, you have 15 minutes. So you could go >> this is this is quick. Um we just want to make sure to pass on our condolences to the town on the passing of Chief Abbott. Uh we worked with with the chief for a very very long time. enormous respect for him and uh I personally
worked with him on a number of issues and we were very saddened by his sudden and untimely passing and wanted to make sure to to pass along our condolences to the town. >> Really appreciate that. That was terrible loss for the town. He's great man. >> Very good man, very dignified man who
managed managed the uh department very well in our opinion. Really uh did well by the town, did well by us. We enjoyed, we enormously enjoyed working with him. Even after he was no longer chief, his presence at town meeting was always appreciated and uh his communication
with with us, our staff, Joe Far in particular, uh we we we were really saddened to read about that. >> Absolutely. Really appreciate that. Thanks. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Well, thank you. And um with that, I will uh entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion made. Second. All
>> in favor?