Today is Monday, August 4th. It is now 6:00 to 2 p.m. and I call to order the board of selectment meeting. Uh to kick off the meeting, we will be in a joint session with the planning board. All right. Good afternoon. Uh
Jack Valla, chairman of the planning board. Um we do not have a quorum, but myself and Dave Kros is present for this meeting. All right. And it's just for awareness, this video is being this meeting is being recorded,
it will be available on the town's YouTube page. All right. To start off our while the plan board does not have a quorum, we'll be there as uh to advise us as needed moving forward as as the chair is present and we'll just take it from there. All right. Agenda number one presentation from Chapa which stands for
Citizens Housing and Planning Association on the MBTA community zoning law. Okay. Well, thank you all so much for having me. Really appreciate it. Uh I have some slide prepared. I don't know if we can get them on if you could sort of name and and who you're from. Of course. Yeah, sure. I'm Will Ratigan.
Uh I'm from the Citizens Housing and Planning Association. We're uh a statewide housing nonprofit that works to make housing more affordable in Massachusetts. And um my role because this law has been affecting so many towns in Massachusetts has been to educate towns around the Commonwealth
for the last year or so about what the law means, how it affects towns, and how towns can work on achieving compliance. Um so I was expecting some members of the public as well. So I kind of have some uh background on the law and what it means. Since you're all on the select
board and planning board already, you may know most of what that is. So I can move quickly through that and then just get to um how you all can think about moving forward. Um and if at any point you feel like since it's a small group what I'm covering is nothing new to you um go ahead and tell me. I can I can do
both. Absolutely. Have a microphone closer to you. So so record it. Sure. So am I on Zoom right now? Yeah. Yeah. Either or. Um grab one or the other. Move move yourself. I believe it's on already. We are not on Zoom. We're not Okay. So just being recorded.
Got it. Okay. But the the mic is for recording purposes. Great. Thank you. Okay. So, I should have a presentation up there. See if we can get it up. Gary. Steve. Steve.
All right. So, we can Next slide. You know what we're talking about now. Um, and I told you from the Citizens Housing and Planning Association. Um, and I'll just say upfront, um, we're a nonprofit that works to make housing more affordable. We think this law does that. That said, I'm not here to tell you what to do, what you should think about the
law. I'm just here to tell you how it works and what it means. And it's ultimately up to you to decide how you want to move forward. Um, so if we can move on, I'll start with some quick background. Um, so what is the law? Where did it come from? It was part of an economic development bill passed by
the Democratic legislature in 2020, signed by Republican Governor Charlie Baker. So very bipartisan law when it was initially passed. um part of an economic development bill and I'll get into why later. Uh and what it does very simply is it requires 177 communities, so almost half of the state um the
entire MBTA service district to designate at least one area where property owners can have the option to build multif family housing if they choose to do so. Um it allows community where to put that district. So there's a great deal of flexibility and work of course for the planning board. Uh, and
the real goal is just cut regulations, cut red tape to make it easier to build housing in more parts of Massachusetts because it's historically been pretty difficult. Uh, so moving forward, uh, so just quick background on why it was passed. Um, it's a story of housing
affordability and trying to make the price of housing uh, more affordable. Um, and I always like to bring in some local data to illustrate this point. Um, just to show people how it hits home locally. Um, so I'll usually compare some local middle- class job to what housing prices are like in the area.
Freetown, easiest one to find was um a starting salary for uh a teacher in the school district. Um, it's about $48,000. At Chapa, we say housing is affordable if you're spending no more than 30% of your pre-tax income on it. Um, so if
you're making 48,000 a year, that's about $1,200 a month. Um, average monthly rent on a one-bedroom apartment in Massachusetts is about 2400, which sounds crazy, I know. Uh, and then if you are buying the average Freetown home
for $650,000, um, you can afford to pay or rather um the monthly payment for that is about $4,000. So, that's that's the issue we're trying to solve here. It's a an issue of um salaries people making are are not enough to afford the kind of
housing that's available. And so it's a law intended to introduce housing that uh is more affordable for people who are making middle class salaries like those of teachers. So a little more background on the next slide. Um, the reason this was part of an economic development
package is that it's intended to help a major economic problem for the state, which is that high housing costs have been driving out working age people. Um, so while Massachusetts has had a relatively steady, slowly growing population over the last few decades, what we've seen in the last decade or so
is that we've had this really rapid trend of people from about 25 to 44 leaving the state. Other groups, not so much. 65 plus, 45 to 65, pretty steady. Um, we're getting more college students every year because of all our universities. But when it comes time for
people to buy a home, launch their career, maybe start a family, they're leaving Massachusetts for states like Florida, Texas, Ohio, where housing prices are more affordable. Uh, and as an economic development issue, that's problematic. We invest a whole lot of
money in education, our public school systems, universities in Massachusetts. And when people get all that education, they're leaving and taking their talents and contributing to other economies. Um, which isn't a great deal economically. Um, so that's that's how Governor Baker wrapped this into an economic
development issue. And that's why, um, we're thinking about both like let's make it more affordable for our residents, but also why is housing important for allowing the economy to continue to grow. Um, okay, that's enough on background. I can move forward from there. Uh, so we know housing is
expensive. If you tried to buy or rent a home recently, you know that. But um why do we get here, capitalist economy, like anything else, the price of housing is set by supply and demand. And um the supply of housing right now is less than demand. Um as you can see on the graph
here, this is a chart of housing production in Massachusetts over the last few decades. We built a lot in the ' 60s, '7s, and 80s. And then that really fell off a cliff in the '9s, 2000s, and 2010s. And what really changed is you can see in dark blue that's the production of multif family
housing. So anything other than a single family home. We used to build almost as much of that as we built single family housing in the '9s. That totally fell off a cliff. And although it's recovered a bit, we still aren't building that much of it. Um so why is housing expensive? We don't have enough housing.
We're not building it quickly enough to keep up with um the number of households we have in this state and especially the many people with high incomes coming for our um pharmaceutical and high-tech industries coming here with a lot of money. They're competing in a really competitive marketplace and driving up
housing costs for everyone. So um moving forward, this is kind of for the general public. You all probably know this, but um how do we make homes more affordable? There's a lot of things we can do. It's obviously not a one-sizefits-all solution, but one simple thing we can do with supply and demand is build more
homes. Um, I like to illustrate this in a little more detail because sometimes people see new homes come in the marketplace and they're really expensive and they don't see how that could possibly help bring down the cost of housing for them. Uh, so I like to make an analogy with uh another product people can relate to more often, which
is used cars. Um, we all saw in 2020 what happened when uh because of the COVID 19 pandemic, car production ceased. The price of used cars absolutely skyrocketed. If you tried to buy a vehicle in that time, you might know that. Um, and there's a graph of used car vehicles. You can see that in
2020 is pretty steady. And then we stopped building new cars. Cost of used cars went way up. Um, that's the same situation we're with housing right now, except that instead of a brief delay on housing supply, we've had decades where we haven't built enough housing. Um, and so that's driving the costs of what
we'll call used housing. Old homes that should be cheaper way up as people uh who have high incomes are getting embidd. So that's why even though new homes might be more expensive than we hope or than many people can afford, they do help to bring the cost of housing down
or at least stabilize the cost of older homes for for everyone else. Um, all right, we can move on. Uh, so how can zoning affect home production? As I said, the MBTA Communities Act asked towns to make a reform to their zoning. Um, and the way changing zoning affects
housing production is by changing the rules to make it easier to build housing. Zoning is the set of rules for how property owners can use their land. It says what the height of buildings can be. It says whether it can be used for industrial, residential, commercial uses, um, distance between buildings,
etc. And right now, Massachusetts has such restrictive zoning codes, really some of the most restrictive in the country, that uh you're only allowed to build buildings with more than um four units per um per building in um 4% of
the Commonwealth. So, very few opportunities to build multif family housing. Um and that pushes out people that can't afford single family homes. And it also pushes out people that um may not want to live in a large single family home. So, uh, younger people, um, small, uh, young couples, single people,
divorced parents, uh, big issue is older people trying to downsize out of their larger single family homes can't find a place to do so. Um, and right now, we don't have zoning that allows that kind of housing those people need to be built. So, zoning reform to allow that kind of housing is not an end- all
beall, but it's a first step because if it's not legal to build that kind of housing, we're definitely not going to see any of it built. So, the goal is to at least make it legal to do so. Um, moving forward. So, how does the MBTA Communities Act reform zoning? Um, the town, as you probably know, has to
choose a few areas where property owners can have the right to build multif family housing at up to 15 units per acre. Really key thing to emphasize and definitely to emphasize your constituents is that uh giving property owners the option to build 15 units per acre does not mean anyone needs to
change anything. If you own property in one of these districts, you're simply getting another option for how you can use your land. You don't have to do anything. If your land was a single family home, you can keep it that way. If it was a bank or a store, same thing. You merely have another option for how
to use the land that you own. Um, okay. So, 15 use per acre. Um, why are we focused on that number? Why is the state forcing towns to allow that in certain areas? Uh the answer is that's kind of the magic number number that most what
we call missing middle housing is. Um and missing middle housing just means everything between single family homes which we have a lot of and larger apartment buildings that we have in our urban centers. So duplexes, forplexes, cottage courts, town homes, um small
apartment buildings, those can all come to around 15 units per acre. And the goal is to legalize those in more places. Um so let's look at some local examples I have in the next slide. Um, I always like to show people what this looks like locally. Not a lot of it in Freetown right now, but just in some neighboring communities, there's a whole
lot of properties that are around 15 units per acre. So, if you have a smaller lot like a a 0.1 or acre lot, that could be a two family. It could be a three family on a slightly larger lot. There two examples in Dyen and Kushnet. Um, and then if you have a larger lot like this almost twoacre property in
Lakeville, you could have um a larger 28 unit project. Um, but again, what I'm trying to emphasize here is that like we're not talking about skyscrapers. We're not talking about really big apartment buildings. Um, these can be two, three stories. They can be they can fit in with the existing architectural
context of a community. Um, and not be something that feels super out of place and many times exists nearby already. It's not brand new. Uh, all right. Next one. Just a bit more about missing middle. Who is this trying to serve? Why is the state zooming in on this? Um,
it's called missing middle both because we don't have a lot of it. We don't have a lot of town homes, etc. Um, and also because it's middle and that it's like intended to meet the needs of people in the middle class. Uh, right now if you're looking for a home in Massachusetts, you generally have two realistic options. One is that you have
a lot of money. 161,000 or more means you could buy a $650,000 home in Freetown. Great. You can buy a single family home. But in the other side of the scale, um if you don't have a lot of money, what's generally available to you is to live in some kind of subsidized housing, but to qualify for that, you
need to have an income below a certain level. Um usually the the absolute ceiling is 80% of the area median income. Uh in Freetown, that comes out to about 67,000. So if you make less than that, you can get some kind of subsidized housing after a long wait list usually. But if
you're anywhere between 67,000 and 161,000, you're kind of out of luck. And that's why a lot of people that are younger are leaving the state when it comes time to to find their own home. Um the hope is that by allowing smaller, more compact multif family homes, we'll
be able to create um more affordable homes that are market rate, not subsidized any way that we'll be able to meet the needs of middle class people. Uh moving on. Okay, so an overview of what missing middle housing is covered that just want to cover like two common
concerns. I think the first one people always worry about with a any kind of new law is how it would affect municipal finances. People care about their wallets first. Makes sense. Me too. Um so at this point because you all are at the later end of the process, we don't
really need a guess anymore. Um four communities have paid a lot of money to um commission economic consultants to um conduct economic impact analyses of their MBTA communities districts. assuming that every land owner who has
the option to build would build, which is not quite realistic, but it's kind of showing you what the maximum scenario would look like. Uh, and those towns, Mansfield, Medfield, Milton, West Newbury, all found that this would have an economically positive impact. Um, pretty big question. There's a lot more
we can talk about it. Um but the the basic analysis is that the taxes new residents would pay in terms of property taxes and vehicle excise taxes would exceed costs the towns believe they would incur in providing services to them. Um, one of the reasons this math comes out this way is that generally the
cost of providing services to multif family housing is less than providing it to the residents of single family housing. Uh, because services can be delivered to the same place for more people and significantly residents of multif family homes are less likely to have school-aged children which is an expense as well. Um, but for more about
this I'm happy to talk about it afterwards. There's some really great research by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation that I encourage every planning and select board to watch. So, I'll happy to share that with you afterwards. Um, one more common concern we can get to in the next slide is how will this impact your sewer and water
responsibilities? Uh, and the simple answer is that that's not really your problem for this. Um, if a developer decides to build in your MBTA community district, it's their responsibility to figure out the sewer and water. So, if there's no public water and sewer, um, if a developer wants to build, they're going to have to figure out a septic
system, and it's not the town's responsibility to facilitate that or pay for it. Um, and so my basic message on water and sewer is that the town shouldn't worry so much about that unless it's really trying to make a certain project happen and then it can put it in a place with public water and
sewer. Okay. Uh, that's my background. Let's talk about Freetown itself. You all know at this point from having gone through it, but quick review. Um, Freetown has to designate at least 50 acres where property owners will have the option to
build uh, multif family housing. at least 20% of the zone district must be within half mile of your train station. But beyond that, you have a lot of flexibility. The other 80% can be anywhere in town uh as long as it's not on publicly or educationally or institutionally owned land or wetland or
resource areas, rivers and streams or protected conservation land. So anywhere else that's developable in the town, you have that flexibility to put it there. Um and then there's more you can control as well on the next slide. Um, so you you do have to give property owners this option to build multif
family housing somewhere by state law, but then you have a lot of flexibility on putting guidelines around what you want new development to look like. So you can regulate the maximum height of new developments. You can regulate um minimum setbacks from roadways, open space or lot coverage requirements, um
requirements for vegetation to screen buildings from other homes, parking requirements, basic architectural design guidelines. I've seen some communities put in a a um a condition for like traditional New England architectural styles. I think that's a popular one. Um
and you can require up to 10% of of units in new development to be affordable for people making less than the 80 80% of the area median income, which comes out to about $67,000 a year. Um that's a major choice you should think about going forward. You don't
have to do that, but you can. Uh, and one major thing you cannot do is you cannot exclude families or workers from living in these new homes by putting in any kind of age requirement for who lives there. That's in the regulations. Um, all right. Sorry, I'm hopefully I'm
not going on too long. Um, only a few more at this point. Um, so there have been some legal cases since you maybe first heard about this law that I think it's worth going over so you can be informed moving forward. Uh so the first one was Milton Attorney General. Um about two years ago now, Milton, which
was a rapid transit community, voted not to comply with the law. The attorney general sued them. Um it was a pretty long court case. It went to the Supreme Judicial Court where they ruled that the law is constitutional and enforceable in every MBTA community. So it's not it's not an optional program. It is a state
law that uh every zoning code has to contain some kind of multif family in MBTA communities. Um what the state did is they reissued their initial compliance guidelines as regulations. Really no major difference, just regulations versus guidelines. Um and
they extended the deadline from initially it was the end of last year and then the deadline was extended to July 14th, 2025 of this year. Um so big takeaway is that it upheld the law but extended the deadline a little bit. Second case, which was more recent, was
Ducksbury and eight other communities versus the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Um, a number of these communities made the argument the law was an unfunded mandate, meaning that, um, it asked towns to take on expenses without state funding to pay for it. Um,
but that went to a local district court that ruled that the law is not an unfunded mandate. Um, zoning does not is not an expense that outside of the regular responsibilities of a town government. and um didn't make any changes to the law. All towns, including the ones that sued, are still required
to comply by the same deadline. Okay, so where are we at now for compliance? 140 communities have complied, or at least they've submitted zoning plans intended for compliance. Um and then there are about 15 communities that missed that July 14th deadline um
in red. And you all know Freetown is one of them. But luckily, you have a little more time to comply now based on the latest guidance from the attorney general. Um, moving it, we can keep going. Um, so as you know, as of July 14th, Freetown is non-compliant, but the
attorney general has put out an advisory saying she won't take any legal action against communities until um the end of this year. So, kind of another six months extension for trying to figure this out. Um, as of now, Freetown is not eligible for 17 state grants as a result
of compliance covering things like planning, sidewalk, roadwork projects, um, land conservation, economic development. Sure, no one's happy about that. Um, also there's the issue where um, MBTA communities compliance can be taken into account for all state grant
programs. So, it just reduces your competitiveness in trying to get state funding for things. Um, and as I said, the attorney general will bring an enforcement lawsuit early next year against towns that don't comply. Uh, and I'll go a little bit into what those lawsuits could mean in the next slide.
Um, so the big picture about a lawsuit is that you, the town could lose the option to control where multif family zoning happens. Um, we talked to our in-house council about what's likely to happen as a result of these lawsuits. Um
and he pointed to the remedies that the state asked for in the original Milton case. Uh and those included just escalating fines and fees until the town um comes up with a compliance plan. Um it could mean the court appoints a special master to put in place a zoning
plan and to drop that zoning plan and put it in place or it could mean that um the town is barred from denying applications for multif family housing until it has a compliant district in place. We don't know which of these will happen. Likely the way this would play out is that the attorney general will sue and say the judge should choose
which way towns should be made to come to compliance and then the judge would choose from roughly this list of options. Although there could be more outside of this. There's no real certainty on how that would play out. Um and we will have a legal memo on this soon. So really happy to share that with you all once we have it.
I'm interested in that memo to see what they actually in progress right now. So hopefully next week or two. Okay. Uh, sorry for the Debbie Downer part of this. Gets more positive part of the presentation. Keep going. You're doing great. Uh, so how could you work towards
compliance? I think realistically now that we're here with the select board and the planning board, the select board and planning board need to lead on this. Uh, if you're not committed to getting it done, it's hard to imagine town meeting voting for it. Having worked with 80 communities now, um, towns where the select board and planning board are
behind it and speak in favor usually passes. Where they don't, it usually doesn't. So, um, that's really up to you whether you want to come out in front of this and really advocate for it. Um, because I think that that buyin from the select board and planning board is necessary for this to pass. Um, but if
you want to, I think what's important to emphasize is that passing a district is the best way for the town to maintain control of local zoning. Um, if a town doesn't go through this process of determining a district, you could end up in the scenario of a judge deciding how that plays out, which I don't think is
what most residents want. They value that local control. And to that end, I think the question going forward, if you want this to pass, shouldn't be, do we comply, but it should be how do we comply? This is a process we need to go through and decide the best way forward. Um, but it is a state law, and we're not
going to say if. Um, but again, that is that is your choice. This is just how this generally has been able to pass in other towns. Um, and I think what's really important in in pushing something forward after a failed town meeting vote is acknowledging what other whatever negative feedback you've gotten in the past. Um, there's always opportunities
to improve a bylaw to make it more um, responsive to what people are asking for. Um, if it needs to the location needs to be changed in some ways if some people are really mad about that. Um, you won't be able to meet everyone's needs or you won't be able to satisfy every request from everyone. But really
doing your best to listen to people that have really enthusiastic opinions can really help move the needle. Uh, okay, next slide. And what could you do for public engagement? So, I should have backed up earlier. Um, I'm here to present today and tell you about the law. I can also help you do some of this
public engagement going forward. Um, so here's some of the things you could do. One thing I'd recommend if you want to move forward is give yourself some good runway to talk to people to get the word out to answer their questions and have any special time meeting about this as late as possible to give yourself that
time. Um public information try to get the word out. Again, I can help with this and providing you materials. Social media, website, mailers, whatever you can do. Um doing inerson engagement at community events if you have school sports games, um festivals, all of that.
if you can get out and just talk with people, uh, and especially talk to all your local boards and commissions that aren't here tonight and make sure you're all on the same page as much as it's possible. Um, office hours with the planner is really valuable as a way to just have one-on-one conversation with people that might be concerned,
especially people, sorry to put pressure on you. Anyone else can do that, too. Um, but especially people that their homes or businesses might be in the district, it can be really important to just have a good conversation and explain to them. You don't have to do anything as a result of this. People are often very scared of feeling like
they're having the rug swept out from under them, but just telling them, look, you're getting another option for what you can do with your property. Um, that conversation can be really valuable. And then I think more public Q&A sessions leading up to town meeting, just reaching everyone you can. Uh, and I can help do that. Probably can't drive down
to Freetown for all of them, but I can do that online whenever you need. So, that's really important. if it's going to get done. Uh, and then I'll talk a little bit about next steps and I'm going to wrap up and have Q&A. So, I think some of the things you might think about going forward is Thank you. I know
I've been talking a while. Sorry. Yeah, I I'll take it from here, Will. Well, thank you for being here. Thank you for being here and sharing your information. Uh, I I could say honestly say we have shared this every which way possible, whether social media, in person, u just like you said, public engagements, getting people out
here to answer questions. Ultimately, it failed twice at town meeting, right? the first time by a large majority and second time got a little bit closer but it still failed. Now we've presented this information to the public, right? Uh as in a neutral party, not for or against. We wanted the public to tell us what they want. That's what we're here
for. We're elected by them. We've got to enforce or elect or push forward ideas made by them. So that being said, the old adage of, hey, this is my home. I live here all my life. I want to live in a small community. I don't want to I don't want to have this in our community. It's still their right to say
that, right? That being said, we always want to be in compliance with the state, right, as much as possible. But this one seems like there's a couple hard passes on what the the community wants. Community doesn't want 750 units coming into town per the the the electorate, right? Per how they voted. Now, can we
do things to present it to them another way? I'm all for it. Right. I I want to be state compliance, but also give this the residents what they seek, which is for us to listen to them. Right? So, we're here with you here today to kind of come up with ideas to go back to them to make sure that one we we give them
the right information based on what you presented here to us today. The laws, how they've changed, um the 20 percentage, uh the new zoning district with the special master. Yes, we have questions on those. What does that mean exactly? Right. Uh what are the fines look like? I know some of it you probably can't answer at today's meeting
which is fine but it's something that we are keeping an eye on to make sure that we are in fact giving the public everything that we know right what we know is what they know right and that's what we want to present to them so what do you say to that will like you know you have a town that doesn't want 750 units point blank in fact we go back
into 2012 and this town did go ahead and create a bylaw right through change the zoning to 8:1 versus the 15 to1 right to them that was what they wanted All right. They created the entire policy and procedures and they went through meetings and that's what they wanted. 8
to1 to throw another 15 to go up to 15. A lot of people have a hard time with that, right? The old town, the old community. We're here because my parents have lived there, my grandparents, they're afraid of that, which is understandable. So, how do we how do we crack that nut in a sense and and kind
of make people start thinking about, you know, the other side of things and that maybe they'll change their minds? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it it's it's a tough thing and I think it's hard when people tell you they want one thing and you can't give them exactly that. And so, I think the the key is figuring out how you can get closest to what people
want while having to stay within the confines of state law. So, I think the first thing in terms of how I talk about this is I will never talk about 750 units coming to the town because that's just not a realistic um approximation of what could happen here, right? 750 units
is what hap would happen if every single property owner who you gave this option to develop multif family zoning to did so so if there's a lot of single family homes every single person would decide I don't want to live here anymore or I want to add you know 14 apartments behind my house that's really not likely
to happen and so I think rather than ever talking about 750 units because that's just not a way we really talk about um zoning in any other context it's just a formula the state made up to decide side, you know, if every state town is doing their fair share. I just
talk about giving property owners the option to build multif family housing. And if you want to talk about what we re realistically see, we're talking about like over the next several decades seeing some moderate scale multif family housing projects be built. And we don't
know exactly how many it'll be just because it depends on the decisions of individual property owners. But it will not be 750. That's the absolute maximum you could hit, right? Um, realistically you're probably going to see, you know, 50 to 100 a year maybe, right? Or maybe
in 10 years. We don't know exactly what that looks like, but Right. But it will, but ultimately it'll be up to 750 units. Whether we do it over one year or 10 years, eventually at some point we're zone up to 750. If I was a developer, I bought that land, I want to maximize my profit. So I wanted
to stack them. And the point is that um your zoning district isn't just one property, right? you probably have 20 30 properties in that district. It would take um so for 750 units to get built, every single property owner would have to decide individually to redevelop. Um
that's probably never going to happen. There's probably, as you said, people who have lived here for generations. They're never going to sell. Um or they're not going to sell for a hundred years. So, can we Yeah. Do you want to have you want to open your meeting so that you guys can talk because they they have a quorum now?
open their meeting for then because I don't want Chad to say anything until then. There you go. Oh yeah, just for quum. We got to open up the meeting with the planning board as they have a quorum now. All right. 6:32. One second. Press this button. Is it you're good? I'm good. All right. So, it is 6:33.
Uh we do have a quorum now for the planning board. So, I will bring uh the planning board meeting into order with the joint uh joint meeting with the select board. Let the record um
reflect who's present. All right. Okay. So, so what was it? 20% has to be by the train station. Correct. So, we're talking 10 acres. Yeah, exactly. Because I feel like when we have that
large area over there, which we do have businesses there, it's it's more easily developed over there and if we spread it out. So, I just wanted to make that clear that we only have to put 10 acres by the train station. Another 40 could go somewhere literally anywhere.
The I guess my my thoughts are is it developable? Is it easier to develop? Yes. But it'll probably be harder because stop and shop say it's in that district isn't in the market of trying to redevelop their land. They don't have enough. They want more. And you know,
so I guess this there this is, you know, flip side. agree and disagree with that because we almost just lost and shop. Yeah. No, no, you're right. And if we would have lost them, that would have been prime, right? Well, here here's where to develop. Well, here's my question. If it's only 20% at this point, currently we have a
zoning that allows up to 350 units in that area, which essentially is eight units to one acre, right? Doesn't that already meet the requirement that you're speaking of? Yeah. The issue is that the way the state wrote the regulations is that it's not by like how many total units the
town is theoretically district. It's Yeah, you have to have you have to allow a certain density, right? You have to allow property owners to build up to 15 units per acre. And even if you have a large area where people only are allowed to build 8 units per acre, that still doesn't meet that that minimum density you have to allow.
Well, I was looking at that and also the ADU requirement that the state passed that essentially is creating the density you speak of, right? Not indirectly, well, sorry, not directly, but indirectly it really is. If every property owner that has acreage, which is 1.6 six on average here in Freetown
did their ADUs that would fill up pretty quickly. No, not quite because um if the average acreage is 1.6 per property, you can only add one ADU to your property. So now instead of 1.6 units per acre, you have 3.2, right? But you're you're still not
hitting 15. So it's, you know, they both have a valuable role to play, I think. And but um they're very different development styles. ADUs, you're looking at, you know, one main single family home with like a smaller cottage next to it. 15 units per acre, you're looking at duplexes, triplexes on small lots or
like kind of low-level apartment buildings on larger lots. Well, here in Freetown, we look at it as our moms and dads are retiring and then we're building a unit for them while the kids move back into the house. That's how we look at it in Freetown, right? That's the dream, isn't it? Yeah, it is. And that's where the ADUs kind of does make sense as far as a zoning for
this from the state. But with 15 to one, you know, so we meet the 20% which is about 10 acres in east like in next to the train station. So now you're saying we can spread it out the remaining 80% throughout the entire town. Exactly. Yeah. If you choose. So the the only requirement is that each part of
the zoning district needs to be at least 5 acres. So you could have a bunch of five acre parcels all over town. My thing is we just bought 32 acres of land. Correct. they they cannot be used for this any town land or a non-public entity, right? If it's cannot be used
for this, I should say it there's one exception to that. If the town intends to develop it into housing, you can use it. It's just you have to kind of in some way um state your intention to develop it. Let's get that out of the way. There's no intention at this point. Okay.
Anything MBTA related with the 32 acres that was purchased at the special town meeting. Let's just get that out there right now. All right. No discussion has been made, no agree cannot. So, move on from that conversation. Um, did they even take into effect that the town has an awful lot of property that
state forest that can't be built on and the NB the MBTA train thing you put on the side of a highway which is forest land on the other side. So, we lose that whole other side of the of the train thing. We can only have that front part of it.
We may not be as familiar with exactly where we're talking about, but the Freetown State Forest abuts the the rail and the rail abuts the Puma district that is currently already um bylaw in the community and a district on the
zoning map. So yes, um there is some constraints um and there are private there are parcels that can't be developed. The MBTA owns one of them as Stop and Shop was already mentioned. There's a 12 acre parcel that has a lot of interest, but it has constraints u a
wetlands and a flood plane um that strips through the middle of the parcel. So that that's going to be difficult to to get there. Um and then you have a copart which I think has the most most upscale value for for a big a big
development there. Um and then I think Eversource has has a lot there's some storage if I'm in the in the right frame of mind. and I think I'm I'm hitting them. Um, and then there's a an old um an old um uh family-owned business that
is milling um for milling practices and they've been in business for quite some time. We sure hope that they stay there. So, yeah. So, that's that's about what the district looks like. Good news, it's closest to the highway and and those types of amenities, but they would
still, as you said, have to get sewage in on those and and that gets tight. And I've seen developers like really struggle with getting permitted with with septic and and dense development. And it was uh there's a whole another
thing with the town's only allowed to give so much was only allowed to give so much sewage to Fore River. So if you're going to put all these housing then that's going to eat up the sewage amount that the rest of the town can't use. The community right at this moment does not have their own sewage treatment
facility. Yeah. and they rely on the city of Fall River for any sewage treatment that is is there and I believe that line only goes to stop and shop at this moment. Correct. So, but he's saying obviously we know that too that it's the
contractors not with the sewer that would actually run into a town problem. But if we put it in an area that didn't have so or water to it and the contractor has to build plant they have to do it's has to be their own water. Mhm.
And that's on them. Exactly. Yeah. Which honestly, I mean, if we zoned an area like that, it would be less likely that someone would buy it and develop it, right? It's very difficult. Or a big scale project like the 15 per per acre on it.
Yeah. That's kind of the balance you have to think about, right? Like um someone who's building 10 apartments, they're not going to pay for their own private water sewer probably. But um that only really becomes economically feasible with like much larger projects. So, it's kind of you have to balance like, okay, if we zone a undeveloped
area on the edge of town, it's less likely to get developed, but if it does get developed, it's probably going to be a larger project. Whereas, if you're looking at like smaller lots in your downtown, um, what's realistic are like smaller two to 10 unit projects. Um, and
they might be a little easier to build, but they'll probably be smaller. So, and so real quick, I just want to understand this. We have 50 acres in all, right? We have minimum Yeah. 10 acres next to the train, right? So, we could have 40 acres scattered throughout town. So, we could and the it could be
five acre parcels. So, we could do eight five acre parcels scattered around town as we so choose. You could. Yeah. And one thing to keep in mind as you're and still be in compliance as you're thinking about it is um any any wetland, any conservation land
doesn't count for that land total. So like if you have a if you're trying to create five acre parcels, you're probably looking at like, you know, a seven or eight acre parcel and then like the if there's a river running through it, that won't count in the land area. So then the developable area will come out to
so many feet it can't be it has to be buildable land. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. Okay. Well, earlier you talked about special master. Yeah. Walk me through that. Does that does that mean a a member of the select board joins this team? uh member of the
planning board joins the team or is it just we're completely cut out and some random individuals not in Freetown decide what we're doing with our land. Is that how it's going to work? Unfortunately, the answer is we don't exactly know yet. Um so the attorney
general would ask a judge to compel the town into creating a multif family zoning district in whatever way the judge deems just and proper. Um so based on legal precedent um like appointing a special master is one of those options
and we don't really know how that would look. That could mean you know some state planning official comes up with uh a multif family district and puts it in place for the town. It could mean that they take whatever multif family district you already created yourselves and didn't pass a town meeting and just
decide that goes in place. Um, it could mean some kind of like committee where members of the select board work with the state official to create uh a zone district that allows you to meet in the middle and and meet the requirements of the law. We're just not exactly sure because it's ultimately up to a judge to
decide that. Chairman, is it okay if I ask Will a question? Yeah, absolutely. And I don't mean to put you on the spot, but have you heard of other communities or other places where the special master has been applied to a community at all? is I'm not familiar with it at all.
Not yet. So, the the only town that um has clearly lost a court case already is Milton. Um and rather than face a lawsuit, Milton came into compliance after they lost that initial lawsuit. Um so, I didn't phrase that well. Um they
lost the lawsuit. They were given an extra six months to comply themselves and they did so. So, they they haven't faced a special master. They haven't faced any fines or fees. Um, and in terms of whether this has happened with other issues before in Massachusetts, not really. Um, kind of one of the
issues, one of the reasons that housing prices have gotten so high is that there hasn't been any kind of state push to reform zoning in many years. And so, um, there's not really any precedent for the state asking towns to reform zoning and then deciding what to do when towns say they don't want to do that. Um, so this
this court case will be new, but what's clear is that um what's clear from the other court cases is that the law is the law here and towns will have to follow it. It's just how will they be made to follow it? We we don't quite know yet. Roger. Thank you. Um earlier in your
slide, you discussed that we cannot exclude families or workers. It's kind of a broad statement. What does that mean? It means you can't put age limits or um age minimums on your multif family zoning district. So, a couple towns have tried to make um it so that only people 55 or older could live in multif family
zoning projects in their districts. Um and the state does not allow that as part of these regulations um because there are so many young people, families, families with children that uh are struggling to find housing. It makes it more difficult when you have age limits.
Well, one of the things I would say to the state, right, and I'm asking you here today is if it's possible. I think I know the answer, but I'm just going to say it out loud. As a town, I think I could go back to my residents and say, "Hey, uh, we're going to put multiple units everywhere around town, these five
five acre parcels, but it's only going to be for seniors, uh, families from Freetown, right? Um, things like that. Is that something I'm not allowed to do?" Um, so veterans from Freetown, things like that. Am I allowed to say, "Hey, I
want 40% of all housing to go to our seniors first." Yeah. I mean, so with MBTA communities, no. Right. You could, that's something the town could do, right? You could have you could make zoning districts where there's a 55 plus um
requirement that like you're you're zoning to allow um 55 plus developments for this. For this purpose, I I couldn't say, "Hey, this is only going to be all 55 plus to meet this communities act." No, you couldn't. I'm just trying to figure out ways to sell it back to our residents and say, "Hey, this is what the benefits are."
Yeah. zone an area that someone wants to put a 55 community. They could they could it would be then and it wouldn't make Yes. Great for the seniors. Fantastic. It would make it would make you compliant. We already know they want to put senior
housing. Yeah. You could do that. Now we're talking now something that the town would benefit from as far as making sure our our families, our seniors, our grandparents, parents have a a home. I mean say that though. I think I I think and and and no disrespect to the
state or or to yourself or or anyone else. I think the state has missed the boat on the 55 plus. We are struggling with both sides. Uh young professionals, that middle income uh bracket, but seniors are right in there, too. We're really struggling for seniors. I've uh
talked to many residents in this community and others and they just don't have a clear avenue to to housing. So, they're going to stay in their single family home because to sell it, they're only going to be transferring. They're
not going to gain any income from it. So, so, so I think that's a missed opportunity. Um, and it shouldn't be towarded as a bad thing to do 55 plus, but it should be part of the whole scenario for us to I believe we have a 55 plus bylaw.
Right. We do, but nobody's ever used it. Right. Right. Well, especially now that makes it's it's getting louder and louder because our population here in Freetown is 25 to 30% on fixed income, right? Or or senior living, right? So that that's
that's appealing to not just the boards here, but also to the residents of our town. So that's something to think about that's you know the state might have missed the boat, but I think Freetown like like we did in 2012, we created this Puma district that's essentially the catalyst of what the the state has
done. They just made it a little bit bigger. But we had the foresight 12 13 years ago to do this. Actually, I think maybe discussion to do it again with the senior housing. And to Dave's point, that bylaw does include a caveat for 55 plus. So if the developer wished to do 55 plus, then
there was bonuses for that. And you know that that's something that you should check because I I don't know the answer to that. But it's possible you could put a bonus on top of your MBTA communities law that says uh if a developer is building 55 plus they could build up to
20 units per breaker instead of 15. That might be a possibility. I think it probably would be, but I'd have to double check. Um yeah, definitely double check on that because if there's a way we can make the the math and not not to say in favor of just Freetown, but let's face it, I'm here for Freetown. I represent Freetown. I'm going to advocate on behalf of
Freetown. Somehow the math can favor the residents of Freetown, I think it has a better chance of going in front of voters with with the possibility of 50%. Right? That's what we're trying to get to, right? Let's meet everybody in the middle. So, the more information we can get on that, Nancy, um Chad, if we can
get some more information as far as how the mathematics could work to present it to a town so we can have those town meetings and bring everybody forward and discuss this, um be I think that's the way to go. What do you guys think? Oh, yeah. Definitely. Yeah. Okay.
In a short time frame. That's the problem. Yeah. We have six months. We're meeting tomorrow with uh about this as well. Mhm. Okay. So, right. We have to January 1st, right? January 1st is our deadline. Or was it the end of January?
Yeah. January 1st. January 1st. Yeah. And you I mean, so technically the town's already out of compliance, right? But the attorney general says that towns that are making good faith efforts to come into compliance will not be sued until January 1st. So I think as long as I wouldn't expect a lawsuit. Um
if someone from the state asks you what you're up to, say we're working on it and you should be all set. Uh I think they're probably saying that cuz a few few towns have just totally thrown in the towel and said we're not going to do it and the state might not decide to wait till January 1st for that. Well, I'll stoke said we're in partial
compliance by having the Puma district. All right. We're not in full compliance, but we have something there, right? It counts for something the you know, but I understand the state's ideas and how they want to move forward. But fortunately, the PMUD is not by right. Right. So, right. And that's the biggest catalyst
of the whole thing is the a by right uh 16 or 15 to1 on an acreage. Exactly. Yeah. So, okay. Anybody any other questions? I think a good Q&A here. Mhm. You'll be at tomorrow's meeting as well,
Will. Tomorrow I'll I can zoom in if you need me to, but um I don't think it would be necessary, but I'm going to share the we're going to tape it and I'm going to share that with the team. So, just to back it up a little bit, the town did receive
technical assistance from uh the executive office of housing and live livable communities. Chapa was one of the partners that came in on this technical assistance. And we're also have Bowler who is also going to assist the community. They're going to help with the language. They're going to help
with modeling so that we know that the district that we've chosen based on the language that we use in the bylaw is going to be compliant. Um we'll have legal counsel review whatever we write. And I'm very delighted to have the second chance because what I brought to the last town meeting I wasn't as
comfortable with. I want to be comfortable with whatever we bring to town meeting. I want it to be something that the town can can agree to and and and really buy buy into that idea of of what is going to be provided to them. So I think that's a good opportunity. So
those two teams together three and I think executive office of housing and livable communities will also stay in tune. It helps to show too that the community is trying to meet meet these requirements. Um so I think it's it's it's a good thing. But I do believe we
should try to push back the fall town meeting or create a special town meeting in order to make sure that you give yourself enough time to get through all of this the public outreach part of it and to write and do the modeling um as well. It's got I want that bylaw to
really shine for you all and to to mirror some of the things that you had already voted on and in the PMUD because that's what they said yes to. So, let's try to get as close to that as possible within what the community the the MBTA communities will allow.
No, I agree with you, Nancy. I I think it's get it back get it back out there. I don't I think maybe October meeting is probably a little soon, right, for this discussion, but that's something we can discuss in the background and get it out to the public as much as possible and get as many many people there as possible. like like today we have a
handful of people and and often times when we do have town meetings it's it's it's we don't fill a room right so getting the information out is difficult at times but I think over the last past year although we voted no to this the residents came out they they they they
asked some great questions both in person face to face and online right some some answers were just that answers right they didn't really provide much of substance to those answers so I think moving the next time forward we put more information out, continue what we're doing with the outreach, and then get
Chapa and whoever whomever else can help us uh get the information out. Yeah. The attorney general's office, excuse me, um they usually have to vet uh any kind of bylaw. Yes. What's the deal with that? Because
obviously if we vote on it in December and we we approve it and there's and the language is not there, we have to go back and reapprove it. What's what's their take on that? Are they going to are they going to have the doors open burning a candle 24 hours a
day in in October, November this year to help us? No. Oh, well, helping you. I think so. Yes. I mean, my understanding from having talked to the attorney general's office is like they really don't want to be suing anyone. I think, you know, um no one wants to be suing their own
constituents. Um, and so I think I think a not not just us up here chuckling. I think many that may be listening to this may chuckle as well, right? I I don't think the state wants to sue anybody, but I also think they don't have any problem doing so is either, right? To make sure that their law is compliant or
being enforcable. So I I get what you're going to say, right? I I know they don't like it, but they will as needed, right? To make sure that the law is followed. Yeah. But my point is like if if you want to engage with them on having them review your bylaw and they're late for some reason they don't get to it in time. I would be absolutely shocked if
they decided to sue you. Well, you were asking for them to review their bylaw. Right. As long as you're working in good faith, you've written a bylaw, it's intended to comply. Um if for some reason there's a hiccup and you run late, I don't think you're going to be penalized for that. It's almost like I I believe what they've done in the past, they've give
like constructive approval. like they'll give you some approval with the caveat that they that you would have to fix any of the things that they felt fell with outside of the bounds of the law. Exactly. Yeah. So, there are a number of communities right now, maybe five or so, that are conditionally compliant,
meaning there are a few small changes they need to make to their bylaws to make them compliant with the law, but um they haven't lost any grant funding as a result of that. They're not going to face any lawsuits as long as they fix those issues. So, if you made some kind of mistake, that's probably the status you would end up in.
I just want to inform everybody in about five minutes. We have a open public meeting. So about five minutes of discussion on this topic. We can always revisit it afterwards, but to keep the agenda moving 7:00 p.m. and we do have a scheduled open public meeting. All right. A board board of selectman meeting. You mean
correct? Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I would just say too that I think whether it be January 1st or not, we want to make sure we do it right. We Correct. We had uh some residents actually reach out to us which we're we're meeting with one uh open meeting
tomorrow here at 6 on the planning board uh that's interested in some sort of a component of this. They actually want to do a lot less than this but would accept the zoning for it. So that's one start. And then like I said, if we have to peacemail it across town instead of
having that one big 50 acre lot where someone obviously that that'd be prime for a developer. So if we could break it and do it right. If we missed the deadline, we missed the deadline. But we're just going to make sure we do it right where you know I was born and raised here. My kids are and they'll be
here. We don't want it to be a mess. So as long as it takes, as long as we're working on it, I think uh I'm not worried about the deadline if Right. Right. It sounds like as long as we're showing compliance with the state, right? We're showing that we're due diligence moving forward working with them alongside them with with Chapa or
whomever else that we'll get some some credit of sorts while we go through the whole the litigation or bylaw review process, right? That's that's the general assumption of of what could happen January 1st if we already have everything in place voted yes at town by
a town meeting moving forward, right? Yeah. We have a grace period of sense, right? I think like make sure you have a special town meeting this year. You know, do everything you can to come up with something that people will vote for. Um, but as long as you do that and people vote yes, then I I think you're all set,
right? Well, not easy, right? Yeah. Not easy, right? That's the right carry the stick. Car stick is yes, we we always want to put something forward that people got to vote on and pass, right? Like, but at the end of the day, we have to our job is to tell them the truth. All of it. whether they love hearing it or not.
Here's the truth, the good, bad, and the ugly of it. Um, and let them in inform them as much as possible, right? And let them decide what they want. Um, can we push this and that? Sure. We can always we can always push more information out, but it generally is the same, right? So, it's a tough situation. But for for the
purpose of this meeting, Jared, on general item number two is to discuss and vote on how to proceed to achieve compliance with section 3A of MGL chapter 4A, which is the MBT committee's compliance law. I I definitely think more discussions to be had, right? Um I'm not even sure if
we're ready for a vote. Um yeah, I don't think there's anything. I think that uh Lan and I will go look at town meeting dates, which we had originally talked about November 3rd. We'll go back to the drawing board and see how late we can push that town
meeting vote. Um, so we'll bring that information back to the board and then we'll work with Nancy in terms of what her board is thinking. I think that um, we've been collaborating together. We have some ideas. I think the one thing that I would look for information from
both boards is we've talked tonight about breaking this into smaller parcels, which I originally thought it would be make good sense to break it into two. one piece on the asone end and one piece on the East Freetown end just because of the way people's living
habits are for the older generation. If they live in a Sonet, they don't tend to go to East Freetown and vice versa. And you don't want to displace somebody that um is used to their supermarket and their drugstores and whatnot, but do you want more than that? So, that's a direction that I think the boards are
going to have to help us go in, but I don't think tonight's the night to make that decision. But that's something that I would be looking for. Like, do you want five districts? Do you do do you want us to find areas? I don't know if it makes sense. You want these to be in a place where it's accessible
um by the train or by public uh transportation, maybe pretty walkable so that people don't necessarily need to have cars in them. So, some that that definitely needs some further discussion to start. Okay, this is what we're going to start with and go from there. Um I do
have I think we have ideas of what people we know the residents are looking for senior housing for sure. So like to incorporate a piece of that into the zoning. So I think there's definitely more work. I'm not sure that we have something to vote on tonight. I agree. I what I do know is over the
next few months going to be a lot of meetings, a lot of discussions about the MBTA Communities Act and how it impacts our community, right? Um all sides of the town. Um I agree. I I think for discussions to be had in the background and then bring it back up to another public meeting and discuss our way
forward. Sounds good. All right. About a minute to go from 7:00. Will, anything that you didn't get to say you want to say? And here's your chance. No, I I thank you for having me. I appreciate it. Uh and just want to reiterate I'm continue to be here to
answer questions and to help with any engagement that you need. So, um Nancy has my contact info. She can share it with all of you. If you have questions, please reach out to me. Uh, I'll try to answer if I can and if I can answer myself, I'll get you to the person who can. Uh, the person at the state or
wherever else. Um, and do I have anything else to add? Uh, yeah. And engagement as well, like in terms of materials, if you all think um, you know, is there a certain question you need answered for the public, let me know. I can make that flyer, that graphic, whatever you need for you. So,
um, here to help and just please feel free to reach out. Well, we thank you for being here and joining us tonight and thank you for answering our questions and in the great presentation. We look forward to working with you again. Thank Thank you all for having me. Thank you. Thank you. I have to close our meeting.
Lost my name. All right. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn the adjourn the planning board meeting. Motion made second. All in favor? I would push this to the end. Thank you all. We appreciate your time.
Thank you for inviting us. All right. All right. Thank you everybody. Thank you plan board for being here tonight. All right. We're going to move this the agenda around today. We're going to go move the executive session to the end of the meeting and go right into the public
notice. All right. For those paying attention at home, I have to read a little bit of uh some verbiage. Thank you everybody. Cheers. All right. It being 7:01 p.m. The town of Freetown hereby calls for public notice. Verizon New England Incorporated and Star Electric Company, Eversource
Energy, requests permission to locate granted joint or identical locations for and permission to erect and maintain poles in their respective wires and cables to be placed thereon. together with acres, guys, and others such as standing in protecting fixtures as said companies may deem necessary in public
ways or ways here and after referred to as requesting a petition of said companies dated 9th day of July, 2025. We are here to discuss Water Street, install one jointly owned midspan pole numbered 178-5 on the north side of Water Street. The new pole will be
installed in line with approximity 38 feet east of the existing utility pole 170-9 and approximately 75 ft west of existing pole utility pole 170-8. Further install one jointly owned uh stub pole numbered 17585 south or 5S on
the south side of water street. The new pole will be installed approximately 30 ft south of the proposed utility pole 170-85. The installation is being requested by Eversource to redesign the area and to provide service to the new housing development as well as to provide for the distribution of intelligence and telecommunications and transmission of
high and low voltage electrical current. All construction on this order shall be in accordance with the following conditions. Pole shall be sound timber reasonably straight and shall be set substantially at the points uh indicated upon the plan marked 1642014-187
and 5NC petition plan. In a package dated April 7th, 2025, file said petition. The following are the public ways or parts of public ways along which the polls above referred to may be erected and the number of poles which may be erected there on under this order. Water street two jointly owned
midspan poles to be placed. also that permission be hereby is granted to each of said companies to lay and maintain underground laterals, cables and wires in the above or intersecting public ways for the purpose of making connections with such poles and buildings as may desire for distributing purposes. A
hearing to consider the above will be held on August 4th, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the police station committee room 15 Memorial Drive Easttown Massachusetts when we're here. Precedent in commenting may appear in this public hearing. Yours truly, the board of selectman.
All right. How do I sound? Everything come out good? Fantastic. Anybody here from uh Everstores, Verizon or NSTAR? Verizon here. Hey, sir. How you doing? Good yourself. All right. You're back in front of us. Yep. Good evening. My name is John Moore. I'm
here representing Verizon for these two new polls uh to be placed on the Midspan. Um, the reason why these two new poles are going to will need to be repa need to be placed is because I guess there's a new development on um, uh, off of Water Street if I'm not
mistaken. And um, Eversource is going to need to upgrade the electric for this new development. So, with that being said, if they upgrade the uh the electric on the present poles that are there now, the two poles where, you know, in between where they're going, uh
it's going to increase the pole load uh of those poles, which could become a safety factor if there's too much weight on the poles. And you have to factor in also wind load, too, being closer to the coast here down at Freetown. So that's the reasoning why Eversource is going to be wants to place to have these poles
placed um uh purely for safety restrictions only for this to to uh to serve this new development. One of the things on this petition here it states um maintain underground laterals, cables and wires. Yes. I look at that and I think to myself, we
just paved that road. Looks gorgeous. Are you digging up my road? It could be if uh if that new development wants to have uh what we call uh underground services as opposed to aerial like poles going down that new street or whatever the case may be. Um
they would probably uh uh bury them or you know probably I would think off the new pavement if possible. If they do have to trench or excavate the new pavement on that new development uh obviously they will patch it back. Um, it doesn't look brand new as always when
you see those things happen. So, that's probably why that wording is uh inside of this petition for that in case that that that entire development is going to be fed uh via underground versus aerial. I um I have a question.
Sure. Um one, the pole location isn't going to end up in the sidewalk, right? Because unfortunately in certain part sp part sp part sp part sp part sp part sp part sp part sp part sp part sp part spots in this town where we have sidewalks they end up having telephone poles in the middle of them and that really doesn't do I know it's going to be in line with the
two present poles pole eight and pole nine right now. So if those are not in the sidewalk the new poll that's going to go midspan is not going to be in the sidewalk as well. It would not. And then my other question I'm going to ask because I know the town administrator always asks it and I'm going to ask for
her is the polls are not going to we're going to be able to use the the polls for our own sake, right? Because Oh, absolutely. Yeah. If you have any kind of like say um say fire alarms that need to be run on the poles. So if you're presently on any of these polls
now, absolutely. Uh that's just you know the old telecom act of 1996. fiber optics project in town and this came up. The reason why I bring it up is because up the road here we had this issue with some polls and it wasn't listed in
there and thankfully Debbie caught it right and you know we could add the the terminology the language back into it. Oh, absolutely. Yes. Well, I just wanted to make sure I'm not saying that. I don't even know if we plan on having anything down there at this point, but just in case. But like you said, for future purposes, anybody
has the right to go on those polls, whether it's a cable company, an electric company, or uh a town or a city company, uh well, town or city, if they're running their own fiber optics, if they have their own, say, uh alarm cables that go from, you know, down the street, pole to polar pole or whatever,
absolutely, everybody has that right uh to do that and to apply for that. And if like you said in the future if you're going to have uh any kind of cable whether it's copper and or fiber that's going to be going on these strings of poles absolutely you have the right to do that.
Does that fit you need? You know we would like it in writing that we we're allowed to use the um the poll for any government purposes. Okay. I will definitely make sure if if that if that language is not in this petition plan I will have them change that for you for you folks here in
Freetown as well. Thank you. She neatened up what I was trying to help her with that. Right. Since we want permission to use it for government purposes as as needed, right? Uh Jar alluded to uh we're using it we're doing fiber across town. We'd left we'd like to use that and other
purposes that we see fit. Sure. Right. Absolutely. Now, is that something that you can add to all petitions moving forward or is that uh is that Absolutely. Whatever the town of Freetown would like uh in the language for any future petitions that come down the road, you can absolutely ask to be
that to for to have that language in any petition today moving down forward or whatever the case may be. Perfect. It'll save us all this conversation every time. No, no worries. Right. We if we're going to say it over and over again, we might as well get it get it done right the first time. No. And I know I actually do the town
meetings for the city up in Mass, so I'm usually sitting over there. So you know how the you know how so I I know and I'm an old Verizon retiree as well. So perfect. Perfect. So yes, I do know the language and everything else. If something is missing and then we didn't forget to put that in there, we can't put our fiber on
because it wasn't in the original petition or whatever petitions that come down the road. Absolutely. Mhm. Thank you, sir. You're more than welcome. Let's see where it says to vote on it. Any other questions still there? I don't
think there's anything on our agenda. Is it at the bottom? Ah, right there. All right. All right. That's that one. We have a different one. Yes, that's that. All right. I was just going to say prove it to not being in the sidewalk. Right. So, thank you, uh, Debbie. So,
she just mentioned we're we're going to vote on it with the goal of approving it. Subject of that is it not? It's going to be in there saying that it's not going to be on the sidewalk with that language in the sidewalk. Correct. Okay. All right. So if you're all done with this part of collecting information, you
can close the public hearing. Right. Any anybody here Butters or anybody in town that has any questions during this public hearing? Okay, any good? Thank you, sir. Minister, anything? I'm good with that. All right. Um, it is now 7:10 uh p.m.
and I hereby close the public hearing. All right. So, we can motion uh back into regular hearing so we can vote on this item. Agenda 14. Mhm. Make a motion to close the hearing. All right. I entertain a motion to close the hearing. Public hearing. Motion me. Um I second. All in favor? I
I All right. Public hearing has been closed. We'll enter back into regular session. it being 7:10 p.m. And to move on to agenda 14, discussion and any necessary vote of for the abovementioned public hearing, which is the two polls
on Water Street, jointly owned midspan poles be placed not on the sidewalk with giving the government all the all purposes for use of that poll. Entertain that motion. Motion made. I second. All in favor? I I Thank you, sir.
Thank you. Thank you, folks. Thank you, guys. I hope you right as well. All right, we have a few minutes to go before our next public hearing, which is 7:15 p.m. Um, so you while we wait for 7:15, unfortunately, we cannot start earlier. I wish I could. So, we'll just keep going along onto
public agenda number five and move down until the time is here. All right, Sleen Zagger. Number five, discussion and vote to approve the open meeting minutes from 7:21 2025. I have read them. I thanked our meeting
minutes taker. They were great. There's a lot of things discussed in those minutes. Um, I don't see anything that would stop us from approving them. How about from you? No. Everything look good to me as well. Thank you. I entertain the motion to approve the open meeting minutes from 7:21 2025. Motion made. I second. All in favor?
I. I. All right. Number six. Discussion and vote went to approve the 1-day liquor license applications for Thomas Chu Boys and Girls Club Incorporated for 87205. All right. representative in the room. All right. I was going to ask any
representative. Hello. Hi. Um we are hosting a fundraiser for um great summers for great futures. Um it's becoming an annual event. So we're going to have um food trucks, beer, wine. Um and is there's only going to be
about 100 people I believe. Um we actually applied for a um police detail as well. Um rather be safe than sorry. And um that's killing it. Any questions? No. Uh, the event. Well, I I know that this is this is not
the first time doing this, so I'm glad that you're using that that liquor license, right? A lot of people don't realize it's a pretty straightforward process. It doesn't really cost much money. Um, it could do quite a bit for your organization as far as fundraising and everything else. So, um, how, let me ask you this question. How was the
process for you? Was it pretty straightforward as I just said? Okay. It's been pretty straightforward the last couple years that we've done it. Perfect. And that's as far as your organization, has that has that increased participation, more more smiles from the from the adults? Yeah, it was a smaller event at first, but um trying to also um build our
alumni base from camp because we've been around for a very long time. Sure. Um they didn't do a very good job of doing that. So um we're working on building back our alumni base. And um let's see. I think um the event is is catered. We have two food trucks, but
it's also we have um Whites is going to be the um bartenders. Oh, Lef France Hospitality. Yeah, I saw that on the application. So, cool. Good for you. Well, I'm glad it's working out. I'm glad it's it's a process that's pretty straightforward
and it's and it's benefiting the Boys and Girls Club. Great organization. I'm a proud member. So, um congrats. Um Sager, any any questions, concerns? Everything's, you know, signed off properly. Everything's done right. So, I have no problem with approving this.
I like the easy ones. All right, let's uh let's do it. Let's uh entertain the motion to approve the one day liquor license applications for Thomas Chew Boys and Girls Club Incorporated for 87205. Motion made. I second. All in favor? I I. All right. Congratulations. Thank
you. All right. 7:14 about to hit 7:15. So again like before I have to go into open public meeting. So you just have to wait one. So I got to read some things again. You just have to wait that one. Just got to wait for that 30 seconds to go through. In the meantime, everyone
can just take a deep breath and relax. All right, we can do number 10. Maybe number 10. Let's see what we got here. Yeah, we can do those. Um, instead of going open public meeting, let's go to agenda 10 of today's agenda, which is discussion and vote what to approve the
exclusive use of the band stands for the rescheduled summer concert series date of 72925 due to heat on 99 due to heat to 9925. So, it was a it was very hot. 100 plus degrees out on on the 29th and we're
kicking it off to in September on September 9th. That's uh the gist of it, right? Yeah. Um hundreds of people have showed up the first time around. I encourage everyone listening and even here in the audience to come out and enjoy some some great music. Mhm. All right. I entertained any questions, concerns?
No questions, concerns. All right. All right. Maintain the motion to approve the exclusive use of the band stand for the rescheduled summer concert console series uh with the original date of 72925 due to heat to 9925. Motion made. I second. All in favor? I I All right.
Moving along. Now being 7:15, we go back to our town notice. Our town public notice. All right. It is August 4th, 2025. now being 7:15 p.m. Uh, I board the selectman hereby give notice that the application has been filed for open
public notice public notice to be filed to transfer the package of store wine and malt beverages licensed from Neon Beverage LLC to Carlin Farms of Massachusetts Incorporated. Manager Cara Creelman. A public hearing is considered the above matter to be held on Monday,
August 4th, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the police station community room 50 Memorial Drive, East Freetown, Massachusetts 02717. All right. Anybody here on behalf of Cumberland Farms or Neon? Hi. Hi. If you could state your name and um who you are.
Yes. My name is Elizabeth Pisano. I am council for Cumberland Farms and with me tonight is Cara Creman. She is the proposed manager of record. Um, this application is to transfer the existing beer and wine package store from Neon to
Cumberland Farms to be at the same location. Um, they're going to keep all the same employees on board and the manager. Um, so what you'll basically see is just a change of ownership and Cumberland Farms is taking over um a
couple different neon stations in Massachusetts and Freetown and Quinsey being two of them um that have package store licenses. So the operations in the store will mean the same, the coolers will be the same. Um everything will be the same. It'll just be under uh new
ownership. So I am happy to answer any questions that you have. Well, you just answered one of them. Would the ch the sign change? Yes. Okay. So, so something for people to see. All right. Um I don't think there are any highway signs, correct? I think it's just the ones on the on the road itself,
but you change those. Okay. Well, welcome Cara. How are you today? Good. How are you? Good. Welcome to Freetown. Well, I've been in Freetown. They're keeping all the same in place. She's the manager of record there now, so she's been familiar with her. She is TIP certified. She is um she knows all
the rules and regulations relating to the sale of alcohol and safe service. So um it's good that Free 10 will have somebody with experience here. Absolutely. Carl, any issues with this? Our fing commission is here. Might as well always ask him while he's in the in
the room. Um yeah, and I'm assuming everything we're keeping exactly the same hours of operation. Yes. Everything else. Okay. Y a day. can't question. No, not for you. All right. Well, okay. It's pretty straightforward.
Uh this isn't the first time Neon's coming in front of the board as far in other business as well. Changing the manager from definitely the first from the changing store names, but that's okay. You know, we love Neon. We but we love Cland Farms as well. So, welcome Cland Farms, I should say. Thank you very much.
And I don't know if you can even answer this yet, but when does the conversion look like it's going to happen? When will the residents see the the new flags fly? So, we're going through the processes. We also did apply for the common victer's license. We're working with the town to get their um business
certificate, working with the board of health to get some other things transferred over to them. Um so, as soon as that process happens, they'll probably take over as Cumberland Farm sooner than later, but the alcohol sales won't take place or they won't sell alcohol until the ABCC gives final
approval. So, so they'll there'll be a temporary disruption where and will all liquor, beer, and malt, beverage, wine be pulled from the location or locked away from It'll be locked away. Okay, perfect.
Just to save the manager and and associates um a whole lot of aggravation of customers seeing it and not being able to buy it. Right. Right. Thank you. you. Now that I have the manager and the legal team here, uh I have a question about your uh neon reward points. So, oh, it's a question.
I know um you you guys do have points. I want to make sure it's transferable to Kland Farms or vice versa so that my residents don't get they lose out on Thank you. If you could look into it for me and so I can provide positive
feedback and I you know we can look through some docs if that says anything about the points. Well, I my experience with it is you go there, you can order your pizza that's through the app and you get some points from it and it's pretty good pizza. I don't want to miss out on it. Also don't want to lose my points. So I want to make sure
and I'm sure there's residents out there thinking the same thing. I'm sure. So if you could greatly appreciate it. We'll look into it. All right. All right. Is this 15? That's it. So you want to close? Well, anybody else any questions, concerns from anybody in the audience from the board? I'm just going to let
the record show that we do have the receipts for the butter's notices for both public hearings. Lan has them and has checked both of them and in compliance. We make sure everyone knows what's going on. All right. Well, well, thank you for
being here. Um, that being said, I'm going to entertain a motion to close the public meeting. A motion made. Uh, second. All in favor? I. I. All right. For this meeting, we have agenda item number 15, which is discussion and vote whether to approve the requested transfer of the package store wine and malt beverage license
from Neon Beverages LLC to Carlin Farms of Massachusetts Incorporated. I won't mention the the neon points just yet, but I entertain the motion to approve said motion. Uh motion made. All right, I second. All in favor? I I thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Thank you guys. Have a great night. To your point. Triple my points. All set. No. No. But the pizza is good. So, I do recommend the pizza. All right. Thank you, everybody.
All right. So, I think we're back to agenda item number seven. All right. Let me give me one second, folks. Let me get that on my computer. Make sure I'm not missing anything. All right. Perfect. All right. All right. Um I motion to go back into
uh regly schedule agenda for tonight. Uh motion made. I second. All in favor? I I. All right. Now we can go into subject item agenda number seven. Discussion on resident complaint of 18 Jordan Lane. All right. I see Mr. Rigo. If you you
have your mic on sir. For the record. Can you just say your name and my name? Daniel Rigo. 18 Jordan Lane. All right. Mr. Rigo. Welcome back. I know we spoke uh prior to on July 28th, prior to the special town meeting. You came to us with concerns regarding a
neighbor potentially operating a business and parking their vehicle. I know from since that time, we've uh spoken both the police chief and the building commissioner regarding said issues um or potential issues, I should say. And the information provided to you by the police chief was fairly accurate
as far as what the road conditions and what he can and can't do regarding those laws. um as as well as our our uh building uh commissioner uh Carl Brazaro. He's also been out to the to the residents in in question and ver in to check whether or not there was a
business operating out of said entity. Uh Carl, can you add um your input to the situation if you could? So the evidence comes out of complaint. Initially with the complaint, Mr. we go probably two years ago now. Uh went out so got a complaint, investigated, found
violations, a letter went out to the owner, Kyle Bazaro, building commissioner. Thank you, Carl. Uh so it started with a complaint from a neighbor. Complaint was made, went out, investigated, did found probable cause to further that. So we letter went out to him to uh stop storing uh business
equipment, junk pots in the yard, stop having a tractor trailer, running a business out of the yard. He's complied with that. Um, as of today, he's also rescended his business certificate, which he had on file with the town. He's rescended that. So, he no longer has that. And so, now we're left with
everything in zoning I could do, I did do, but as you might be aware again, zoning sits from the curb into the property and then the curb out to the street is not zoning. So, correct, I'm pretty much tied up what we can and can't do. And it happened other places in town where we have uh tractor trailer issues. So, we try to work through these
things one by one. Right. This isn't a this is an isolated issue with that residents or neighborhood. This is this does happen quite often uh throughout town, right? Um especially with those that work in the business of trucking or automotive, they tend to, you know, bring their work with them so they get ready to go the
next morning. So, as far as the laws, parking, right? Last time you mentioned camp certain distance to the curve uh from driveway like Carlos just mentioned, any additional I know you looked into it. Any additional guidance we can provide to not just Mr. Rigo but the town in general? I had a chance to
uh look at some of the photos that uh Mr. Rigo had provided to the town u regarding his observations of uh the vehicle being parked on the roadway and in the sidewalk area and um there were what I saw was considerable minor
violations of bylaws of potentially parking on the uh sidewalk or the curbing area where the u the owner of the of the of the TT unit was parked. to look like he was potentially doing some type of maintenance to his vehicle. But normally any type of violation as as
such like a ci a civil infraction, officers would respond and investigate and the discretion to the officers to take action or give a verbal warning or uh whatever the officers feels fit to do. And normally something like that we
would ask the you know the violator to move their vehicle and most of the time things get moved without you know issues and bylaw violations may or may not be issued. But um regarding uh what I saw in the photos uh the trucks being parked
on the side of the roadway keeping open access to uh emergency vehicles was clear. It was still available. uh I wouldn't, you know, say it would be an issue, but u other than that, uh I didn't see anything major, uh that
needed warranted, uh police actions with with those photos. Okay. Um just for reference, have you conveyed that to Mr. Rigo? I had a chance to speak to Mr. Rico this week and we went over the bylaws that are listed on the town website and may I
say that they are impressively updated on the site. So it makes it very clear and easy for uh residents or any commuter to have an understanding what the uh the bylaws are and we talked about those uh bylaws and uh those
specific bylaws is our bible for the police department regarding enforcement. Uh we don't try to operate outside them. Uh we try to treat people fairly and equally across the board. And um though
not to say that there weren't any bylaw violations, but we would address them compassionately like anybody else in the community if they violated it. Right. Carl, anything with the bylaws or anything that future bylaws can can
revise or The only thing I might consider and I I'll be willing to work with CBA in planning and maybe have a discussion about what's allowable for tractors with trailers, trailers with supplies in them coming into the property. You can have that discussion, but as it is right now, there's nothing that I can enforce that
would relieve some of the um what he's experiencing from his home. It does happen, but there's nothing in the bylaws prevents them from doing it that I can in in in enforce, right? But we still want compliance. We did a couple things. He cleaned up the yard. He took the business away from there.
So, we've done these things. Now, we're done with an issue where we have a tractor trailer parked in the street. And to his point, noise could be a noise. You know, frustrating tractor trailers run for a while. You 2 3 4 in the morning. Could be a problem some time. Maybe you have to look in into the future.
Okay. Good to know. Mr. Here we go. Um, you're here before us again. Um, we we've done our due diligence as much as possible. Uh, well, based on what we're hearing here, right? Ultimately, this comes down to a civil matter between yourself and the neighbor. But it is our job as town
selectman to help alleviate some of the concerns you may have. Yes, sir. Right. That's through working through our police and through our building commissioner and trying to see where we can find common ground with the residents. Well, thank you for that. I know it's probably not everything you want, right? It's probably doesn't hit every single button. However, it does
sound like some improvements have been made, right? Um, is there anything Yeah. we can do as far as a town or is there anything that you want to comment on? Um, provide more information for we just trying to make sure that we have a clear understanding of today, yesterday, and
how we move forward, right? Maybe we learn from this from a future bylaw. Well, thank you, Select Lopes. And I'd like to say thank you to the chief uh for calling me back. And I uh I said it before, Carl did his due diligence on
what he had to do. And after going through the bylaws and getting some consultation from uh individuals that I'm familiar with in terms of zoning and whatnot, the chief uh and the building inspector are correct. and uh in in in
terms of commercial vehicles of that magnitude using uh uh the the the uh town streets to to park their vehicles. Uh for the longest time, these individuals were bringing uh uh a
company uh uh apparatus uh 18-wheelers, triacles with with pavers on it. I mean, we're talking heavy big construction from another company from North Smithfield. So, they were using that, you know, instead of going to the shop,
they bring their vehicle vehicles and go directly to the the job site. Like I said, uh things are the last nine days, uh things have been grow. I think they got the message. Hopefully, uh they did.
Uh however for a proactive approach from the town's perspective, I would uh like to see something spearheaded in terms of putting a s the simple language where no con uh uh uh commercial vehicles are
allowed to stay for more than an hour between 6 and 6 uh p.m. Just like every other so many communities around us. Fall River has it, you know, from from my expertise. But nevertheless, things are great. Things are good. The
compliance is being they're doing they're living life. And there's no more tractor trailer. It hasn't been in the last nine days. And I hope that it's been resolved. And again, if I can help the you, the selectman, the town, the
building inspector, the the chief of police uh uh in any way to see that this uh amendment or uh bylaw gets created to not there's million-dollar homes being built around the area. These people in
other areas should not be subjected to what I've been subjected to. Okay? And that's all. What district what district do you reside in? Is it are you the first, second, or third district in Freetown? Do you know when you when you go vote, they ask you what district you're in? Oh, uh I go vote at the school,
right? But are you district one, two, or three? The reason I ask is we do need volunteers, all right, to be on some of our boards. Absolutely. Right. So, if there's something you want to take action on, the best way is to to get local and work with the municipalities and and volunteer your time. I would like to see that. I would like
to see that and I am going to take you up on that. Absolutely. Go to the town web page right there, the boards, vacancies. they'll everything that's open go ahead and apply for. We need we need new individuals in in different boards and committees across town. All right. Um well good. You know it's probably not
resolution we like everyone in the situation war wanted warranted or wanted but it sounds like we're we're pushing along in the right direction right some things have been resolved right um looks like some enforcement has been done right and I think that's good and hopefully you can still talk to your
neighbor ultimately that's what we We want neighbors to be neighbors and be a community. Maybe it takes some time, but let's mend those fences if possible. If there are any amended fences to be made, um, you know, your neighbors are your lifeline. What's that? No harm, no foul. Exactly. It's in the rearview mirror.
Yep. We'll we'll learn from the experience and and and really do our best to move on. Um, hopefully doesn't come for the board again. Sometimes it does and we'll deal with it then. But work with your neighbors. Um, and not just this situation, any situation. Uh sometimes the easiest solution is the simplest one is just having a
conversation with the person across the street, right? Um but it's tough. I can I get the other side of it as well. Thank Thank you, Mr. Rico. Thank you everyone. I appreciate it. And thank you guys. Thank both of you gentlemen because I know you know you're here late during
the day and everything and so we appreciate the Thank you so much guys being here. All right. Uh, moving on to agenda item number eight, discussion and vote whether to approve the Council of Aging parking lot upgrades. All right.
All right. We got Jim Noise from GPI here who um helped design this. We're working on trying to improve the parking lot to get more parking. As you know, thank you. the COA with their new pod and their expanded programming,
they're getting a lot of participation and so um we need to get more parking. So GPI has been tasked with that um with that um issue to make more parking, but
one of the things is it it it changes the entrance way. So, I thought I'm going to I think this should come before the board just for their um input before it's finalized. We're not finalized yet. We're hoping to do this in the fall, so we kind of got to get moving so we can put it out to bid. We know we got
funding at town meeting um to we we allocated the COA's money to use for this parking lot, which is a pretty big undertaking. Um but the parking lot's not ADA compliant as it is now. We want to do our best to get it more compliant. We'll say that. So, I'll turn it over to
uh Jim Noise who can go over it in further detail. Thank you. Yeah, she hit all all the points I was coming to. So, um yeah, we we've been uh we worked on the the first phase, the uh the pod and um yeah, now we met out uh two or three
months ago and actually the direction mostly was get as much parking as we could on the site. Um so, we've looked at it. These are preliminary plans. If if the board doesn't if the board sees something you don't like, we'll take that. You know, we can look at it. This definitely, you know, something we were
looking at. Um, just to orientate orient yourself, uh, Chase Roads at the bottom, the ball fields are up off the page on the top. Uh, the rectangle over to the left is the old police station, which the food bank's now using. And the area that's encircled in blue is the Council
of Aging building. Um, I didn't color in everything. I just wanted to color in the the the highlights of it. Um right now in that small length of Chase Road, there are four driveways. There's that like slip right turn that goes in, right? Um I want to call it the main access
drive which is in blue. There's a third one that goes into the police station and then way over to the left there's a fourth one that runs from Chase Road to to Memorial Drive. So um as part of this we were looking at how can we maximize the parking. Well, one thing was to to eliminate two of
these driveways in green, and that opens up um parking off to the uh the lower right hand corner. Um and also it opens up um parking off to the uh the food bank. Um one of the problems with the food bank, too, is people pull into that driveway and there's no way out. They
have to turn around and come back out the road. So, what we're proposing is, which is in dark blue, is another driveway right off of that uh um for lack of a better term, the cutthrough that goes from Chase to Memorial Drive. That way, at least people can come in
and this would be up to the food bank whether they came in from from the cut through and circle the building that way or if they came in from the main entrance drive and circle the um um circle the uh site that way. Um, everything in gray that you see in the
parking areas is a large one off to the top right. Um, right now that's a a reclaimed pavement. It's not as big as as what we've shown here, but that's where the they put in reclaimed pavement about 6 months ago for additional parking. Um, one of the uh problems, and
I don't want to call it a problem, but a lot of people who go to the ball fields park in that area. They use the console of aging. So, we're trying to maximize that. So, the parking lot actually would go all the way to the path that runs around and we'd have a a um connection to that path. That's a great idea.
Up in that area. It's a great idea. I love it. I like that, too. Um other than that, everything in light blue is is basically the existing pavement. Um what we're looking to do is reclaim that whole area. Most of the pavement now is either torn up or it's it's beat. We're talking about
reclaiming that. So, there'll be extra material. We do need to fill in down um in front of um Council of Aging Building. So, we we're going to use that material. We haven't found out if we need more material or not. Um but that was the intent was we'll reclaim this
pavement. When you reclaim, you end up taking off the top four inches. Um that's extra. You have to take that off. So, you can put in four inches of mix. So, there's extra material and rather than hauling it off site, we'll just we'll just bring it down into there. Um I So that's the highlights in this. Um
we've been talking about a courtyard area which is not part of this project. At least the amenities we will probably set it up but I know the Council of Aging had submitted a grant. I don't know if they've heard or that's the patio. Yeah. I'm not sure either.
Yeah, I do have um and again this is not part of it but this something that we could do. I do have a sketch that they uh submitted with the grant application of what they could do. Um, so we were talking about, you know, putting that in in concrete and doing some trees, uh,
couple of benches under the trees, um, couple of tables where, um, you know, you could sit outside in the warm weather and, um, discuss it. So, it's more of a functional area right now, right? Um, that would be in between, yeah, the um, the pod is off to the
right side there and the the the council of agent building on the top. So, it would be right in that nook um, area. Jim, in this area there's last time I parked there in the wheelchair. I rolled down the hill, right? Are we going to fix the grading from that pod down?
We're going to fix a little bit of it, but but in terms of trying to fix that whole parking lot, we're talking because it goes what we'll do, all the handicap spots will be at 2%. But from there, it goes down to the road. I think it's at about 5% as it is. We're going to try to
pick it up a little bit, but to try to pick up the whole thing to make the whole site 2% probably talking at least a 6ft wall all along Chase Road, right? We don't want that. Yeah. Okay. My my question I guess is so you're seeing everything in gray is proposed new parking, right? So on the
bottom right, not the big stuff out back because I actually like the idea of that and then tying it into the walking path because we've always talked a lot about the access for residents and senior citizens to be able to use that walking path. So I absolutely love that.
My question is is why wouldn't and it might be a grading issue. I don't know. But that bottom, those ones that are closest to Chase Road be put in between the COA and um the food bank, the food pantry. So that way they would increase
parking because one of the things I worry about is if we're talking about accessibility out of that parking lot, that food bank gets a lot of traffic right when they're open. So um people park kind of all over. So, would
wouldn't it make more sense to put some parking down there in between them? And that kind of two birds, one stone type mentality. Um, yeah, we we'll look at that. I'll make sure I'll make a note of it to look at that. Um, I do know from this plan, this plan's a couple of weeks ago. We do have a revised plan, but rather than
confuse everything and bring the right I wanted to bring in the one that uh the board has already seen. M um and I know they've added several parking spaces um more than what's shown in this plan, but we'll definitely take a look at that and more spaces towards the food bank. And I and I do know if I remember
correctly off top of my head, the grading kind of does go down kind of hard onto the left. So that might be an issue as far as that goes, but it could be something to look at. It it's worth it's just worth mentioning because I'm looking at it and saying we I mean we did add I think we did add
some down by the food pantry in the gray, right? Mhm. And I think so our conversation was maximize the parking because has multi-use, right? We use it for the COA, but the food pantry uses it and that's sort of after hours after the COA closes. So they can use all of this
parking as well. And the baseball people use it and that's on the weekends and also after hours. So when people say, "Why are you spending all this money on the COA building?" Because this has multi- this is this parking is for multi-aceted things. It's it's it's it's used a lot
more than I think the public realizes. And so that's why we say like get as much parking as possible because when you have a big baseball tournament, they're parking everywhere. Even a town meeting or a meeting at the school, this isn't far from the school, especially if you can cut in through those trails and
up up through the ball fields and across the street. So that is that was the direction. as much as get as much as you can possibly get um because we will use it for multi- different things. Absolutely. Could I ask a question? Sure.
So, I was just looking at the the old police station being the the food pantry on the north side of the building. What I recall was the septic system was in that grass area uh in between the entrance way. I don't know is that a
factor? Um, is the the septic system still there or is it somewhere else? Have you looked at that? Yeah, I don't know where it is for the people. I always thought that the septic Oh, maybe. No, that's connected together, wasn't it? Yeah, but No, no, that Seaway has their own that's that that we know where that is.
So, I know that stuff can be driven on top of if the piping's correct, right? And that's a whole different thing. Well, as long as it's been considered, I'm not really sure what can be done there, but um I just know I've never seen the septic plans. I've always been told that
that's where they emptied out the tank or whatnot and it's in that general area. So, just, you know, keep that in mind. No, it's a good call out. No, this is a great project because you're absolutely correct. This this
area gets used so much, right? not especially during the day for our seniors and other events, especially with the food pantry, but also schools and the baseball fields. They use it quite often for different events, especially when they're having the same events together. Adding more parking to that general area
is also a great idea. Wouldn't mind seeing some of it to the to the north of the in to the west of the that little area right there to the left of the shed. Maybe there's additional parking we can squeeze out of there in the future. There's elevation. Yeah, I was going to say that's what I was thinking was the elevation was going to be what you were
going to tell me was the constraint because the parking lot does drop off in between the two, but yeah. No, it's a positive way forward. At the end of the day, this is a whole lot more parking and we'll fix some of the grading issues. Um,
what did you say? 60 additional 60 right now. I think they added another half dozen. So, it's varying, but but it's it's well over 50 right now. Mhm. Um yeah, one one area that we looked at
and we didn't think um it was practical, there's a right now there's that lawn area. So, you have on the right side of the um say the loop road on the immediate right side is a septic field, septic system there, and then this grass
area right there. but it seemed like it was so far out beyond the console of aging. We were trying to keep all the parking spaces within a couple hundred feet of everything. Um, right now they all match that except for a few spaces down for the food pantry, but most of those will probably be used by the food
pantry. So, we weren't too concerned about it. But it does start to, you know, there's a lot of land there and but it's just what would what would be practical, you know, to for people to use. No, I like it. Looks looks different. I look forward to seeing with the the
driveways gone right down to two how it's all going to look. I'm assuming we're going to landscape all that and make it look nice from the road. It's going to look nice for the neighborhood. Good. I'm I'm happy for the council of aging. This is a nice addition. Yeah. No, I agree.
Yeah. Squeeze it in where you can, Jim. Great. Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right. All right. Fantastic. Stephan Zagger. Any questions, concerns or further discussions on this? No, this is And do you have anything to add that we missed? No, I mean I' I've been working with GPI
and Rebecca and she's taken this before her, you know, before the seaweight board too just to get any input from them. Uh Chuck, we've all been out there working on this. I mean, you know, it's always hard with your back pedaling into something that's, you know, trying to
work around what's already existing. But I do think it it it'll be a great improvement, like I said, for all the things that I said because we we all we never have enough parking and just Rebecca and what she's doing during the day is incredible with her programming. And like I said, food pantry this, you
know, cuz when I go there, if there's an event and the parking's all full, I park down at the food pantry because they're only open a couple days and and they don't mind. Um and so that's sort of your overflow, but the capable people can park down there. It's not a big walk. Yeah. And um but then when the
food pantry has their stuff, they can then use it. So it works well. I think it I think it's it's it's a good plan overall for us to get the parking where it needs to be to make everybody safe. I think is the goal for for the seniors to be able to walk safely um into the
building. Yeah. No, I agree. Especially like like you said, Rebecca and everybody has reported some up a massive uptick in participation which is phenomenal. exactly what we wanted with the pod. It only makes sense to add the parking to to follow suit,
right? Um it's a good problem to have, you know. Well, thank you, Jim. I appreciate it. I think CPI and I think we we have a good way forward. Yeah. All right. I uh entertain the motion to approve the council of aging parking lot upgrades. Motion made.
I second. All in favor? I I All right. Make it. So, you said it was the fall fall time frame. Where's that like October? I don't know if we're going to make it, but yeah, I think it was October. She uh Rebecca was going away on vacation and she was talking about closing down. Yeah, we have to close. We're going to
have to close the COA for a good week or two. Thank you. That was my next question. How long we going to close down COA? And I'm assuming they already they're already discussing that with their own program. We're working that out, but that's why we're kind of got to get this moving. Is there any secondary not to this conversation parking lot while we're
closed for that week or two? Do we have any secondary options as far as where to keep continue having events? Maybe here at the police station. Yeah, probably very minimally. We could do it here, but it's going to be difficult. And I want to say the chief's got stuff
going on here in November. Yes, we have our accreditation assessment uh three days where we're locked into this room. Um I want to say 17, 18, 19th comes to mind. Yeah. So those days we'll work on that. Okay.
Thank you. Well, thank you so much, sir. Thank you. I hope you have a great night. All right. Fantastic. Love parking. All right. Number nine, discussion. Invoke where to who to designate as authorized Google Analytics data contact
for the town of Freetown's website. Where to authorize the town administrator to sign the user access form and waiver for this purpose. Deb, we love signing these things. I know. I think this is just something for our new web page um that they want whoever signs it to be the contact
person. But when you're signing it, you're basically signing away your legal rights to go after them for any mess ups. So, I don't sign away the town's legal rights. That's the board of selectmen. Thank you. Um this lucky uh person
that's authorized um is this for the general public to complain about as far as like, hey, I can't get on your website. I can't find this website. I can't find that. Or is this for uh your selectman here that loses his password every other week and needs your help? Who? This is just this is for the upgrade
that we're doing to the um the web page that we've talked about in the past that had to be done that our time the platform's no longer um sustainable or so we have to upgrade the web page that all the residents use to go on to find
information. So they're just asking for the signature, right? And I think right I think what they're also needing is one employee who can access the Google Analytics page. Right now Lola gets that and usually it's not used very frequently. It's like the library every
year needs to know like how many hits did they have on their page and stuff like that. So Lola will go in and do that. So we just need one person that can do that. So essentially how many likes, how many smiles, how many frowny faces, things like that. You need data for like grants and things to that effect. No, that's I can see them needing more and more of that as as
we get more tech techn techn technological tech technology kicking in more and more. I can see that being a bigger u a bigger pull for them to get information on. Okay, so Dev, sounds like you want to be it. Oh, I'm ecstatic. When this came up, I
said, "Oh my god, this is what I've been waiting for my whole life." Like, you know, you've hit the big one when you get to be this I can't even say what it is. data authorized Google Analytics data contact. I mean, who wouldn't want to be that? You're going to hang that right next to your law degree. I know. I'm going to have your signature.
I'm going to have blow it up and put it up there and frame it for me. You know, right away I think of resume builder, right? Add us to the resume and add it in there. All right. We'll make some initials for it. Since Deb is so kindly voluntary for this position, I entertain the motion to designate Deborah Petty or Debbie Petty
as authorized Google Analytics data contact for the town of Freetown's website and and to authorize the town administrator, which is Deb Petty, to sign the user access form and waiver for this purpose. Motion made. I second. All in favor? I I congratulations. Oh, thank you so Petty.
All right, we've already done agenda item 10. Moving on to item agenda item agenda. Agenda item number 11. discussion. Vote whether to approve change order from Riverhawk Environmental for landfill postclosure monitoring.
Uh for those who are following along, we have been in contact with Riverhawk for the past several months uh regarding uh different testing and monitoring of the landfill um on Holland Road. This change order is for the tune of I'm assume this
figure is correct. $37,410. Am I correct on that? It seems like I am. Fantastic. All to do with groundwater and surface monitoring. Correct. Water. We should keep making sure our water is safe and protected as much as possible.
For those paying attention at home and here of course in the audience, um, uh, DP in the state of Massachusetts, they they have requirements and we're doing everything we can to meet those requirements for anything from groundwater to any type of water for PAS
filtrations, you name it. We're making sure that happens. All right. Any concerns, questions for anything on this one? All right. Absolutely not. This one's pretty straightforward. All right. I entertain the motion. Where where am I? There it is. I obtained a motion to approve the change order from Riverhawk Environmental for land
landfill postclosure monitoring. Motion made. I second. All in favor? I. I. All right. Moving on along to agenda item 12. Discussion. Vote on which selectman will participate in the selection process for the design services for the South Main Street Bridge Preservation Project. All right.
Here we are. Here we are. You know, this is the same one that uh uh Congressman Aenclaus. Yes. Right. Provided about what? half a million dollars to the cause to we came down here and he met with the at first at the council of aging. Then we all took a field trip down to the to
the bridge to discuss how important it is to the town of Freetown maintaining its historic properties but at the same time meeting state regulations for being a state a state road Route 79. Right? So the conversation at the time was we needed money still do but he was kind
enough to put it into into the coffers and and took out $500,000. Then furthermore, as we move forward with the project, it is now part of the mass dot. Yeah. Right. Mass took it on. Um that's as much as I know at this point. What am I missing? So that's where we're at, right? We got it. We got it on the mass DOT tip
program through Serpent and Aenclaus has funded the $500,000. If you remember, I don't remember what town meeting, but they we voted to have the match appropriated. So there's 100 grand that the town has also uh appropriated. So now we're at a point where we need to design the preservation of the South
Main Street Bridge. Very daunting task. Um, as you can imagine, so many things have to be go into that uh project. So we're just trying to pick an engineer. So I've picked the players that make the most sense. We've got somebody from historic
because it's a historical bridge. Um, we have a resident uh who's who's very helpful and knowledgeable, Jim Rendes, who's been involved in all the other bridge projects. Um, myself, Nancy, as the planner, and we're looking for a
selectman that wants to be involved and just it's just a matter of reading through and listening to the interviews of the engineer and determining who would be the best for the job at this point. So, that's all we're just looking to see. I think we vote Trevor because he's not here. I was going to say we just vote him in. you can't say no to it, right?
So, so I'm ecstatic at the group of people that are involved, including Mr. Rosendis and you know, yourself and everything. So, that obviously I knew you were involved. I knew Nancy was involved, but there's a couple other people that you mentioned that makes me feel like we have regardless of whatever
one of us gets involved, it's a that's a good group of people. Yeah, we got Chuck. I mean, obviously Chuck's a heavy play heavy hitter in this one. Um, so I I I do think we have a good core. It's just still like the selectmen always drive the bus on a lot of this stuff,
too. And it's a it's going to be a very well publicized, shall we say, project, right? Because it's right through the heart of town, so to speak. So, it's going to put um it it there's going to be a lot of added pressures because of that.
Oh, definitely. Well, because at some point we have to close the road, right? And that's difficult. But I don't want we're not there. We're just designing. We are nowhere near putting this out to bid and doing construction. That's that's a whole another phase. So, but knowledge is key, right? And in starting the the conversations early and
often, right? We as we say all the time um matters because it will affect a lot of people's just general daytoday. I think I think from the last police um survey, I think it was about 46,000 vehicles per week that was on the radar from the that was sitting there on 13
South Main. Please don't hold that. No, no, no. Approximately about 46 50,000 vehicles. There's about I we had a study done there. There's about 11,000 vehicles a day. Yeah. So that's more than 46,000 a week. So maybe the weekends there's less. So that might tie in
still. Yeah. But Serpent did one a couple years ago when we were doing the four corners work that we're doing and they did a traffic study and there was 11,000 vehicles a day that go through the four corners. So they got to go over the br you know what I mean? I wonder how long that would take because here's my uh silly question of
the day is does it and it might not be plausible but um doing something with the intersection at the same time that they're doing stuff with the bridge because it's going to be closed right the road's going to be closed. So, right. Well, you know that we we um have
put in for a complete streets grant to work on the four corners, right? We're we're moving forward on the four corners. You're going to see us having some public information sessions coming forward in Septemberish, I think. I'm not sure when they're exactly there. Um we're meeting with the Butters in
August, the immediate Butters. So, I'll also mention the bridge project to them. Um so, you're going to see them kind of come together. I don't believe based on MBTA communities that we're going to get the grant that we applied for for the four corners. That being said, we've applied for another grant for the four corners um recently. So, we'll see if
that will at least get us through the design phase, the con pay for the engineering. Um but if at all, I'm well aware and Nancy and I are well aware of trying to marry these projects if at all possible. Yeah. No, I mean it makes sense on paper, but it it's a lot easier. It's easy for me
to sit back here and say that, right? But but whether or not that would happen is right. But we I mean if that in the perfect world, we would definitely do that. There's going to be a lot of moving parts, especially the bridge. Um tricky area. It's tricky. And then, you know, it's
the funding, right? We even if we got this grant for complete streets, I don't know that it would be ample funding to do the project. So, it may not go forward anyways. It just depends on everything. It depends on where is I believe the bridge is pretty much funded.
All right. So, we're moving. We're moving. So, the big question, do we just appoint Trevor and uh see what happens? Uh well, if it's me and you, we can't do any voting today. Um so, I think we can safely prompt this to next meeting. Do you know what we have?
I don't think unless you want it now, we can just put on the agenda for next time. It doesn't matter. We'll just wait this for the engineer. Yeah. So, so we're going to we're going to be having the meeting on August 19th at 10 a.m. We do have a Sleman's meeting on the 18th. Um,
so if either of you were interested, just keep that in mind that I think doing it during the day because all the the people that are involved are probably more available during the day. So again, I I feel confident that we have a good team in place anyway, but obviously
would love to have the selectment involved in the process. No, I I 100% agree with you. I think one of us should be involved and um but Yeah. Yeah. All right. We'll just we'll kick it off to the next to the next meeting. It's not a official committee to appoint to. Do they have to vote or can they
just say who wants to do it? It's not really a committee to appoint to. Yeah. We don't really We didn't really pull together an official committee for the bridge. Okay. Well, we'll work on it. Okay.
if if a selectman for some reason were to miss one of the meeting. Well, actually, no, we can't miss it because it's just that one. Yeah. All right, never mind. I'm just thinking out loud, but yeah. Yeah, I think we can solve the next meeting. Um, seems like sounds like we have time. Yeah. Um, good core behind this. So, we'll
we'll make it we'll make it work. Um, moving along, we'll skip that for tonight and pass it to the next one and I'll kick off personnel board. All right. Agenda item number 13 discussion vote whether to start Melissa Frappier at step two on the wage scale
based on experience. So uh obviously very well aware um frappier is coming back to the town has experience and based on her experience with the town and away from the town it
only makes sense to start her at a higher scale than a step one. Correct. So, I agree. This is as no-brainer as it comes, but um yeah. Yeah. I don't have any issues. No, sir. Not at all. Um like you said, she was here in that
same office uh when she first started with the municipal world. She went and uh got gathered more experience from another municipality and now she's come back to us be close to home and this is a nice step forward for both the town and for her. Absolutely. All right.
So with that, I will entertain a motion um to approve uh to Wow. I I entertain a motion to start Melissa Frappier on step two on the wage scale based on experience. Uh I make that motion.
I will second it. All those in favor? I I All right. All right. And on we continue. For the purpose of this meeting, we're going to be entering executive session and not returning back from executive session and uh leaving open session.
Excuse me, Miss. Yes, I think we have a resident here for public input. Oh, thank you. Sorry about that. Before we go to executive session, it is time for the public uh input portion of our day. If you could state your name and uh what part of town you live and
take it from there. Sure. I hope I'm welcome in this room, but my name is Kimberly Levit and I live in Lakeville actually. Oh, hi Kimberly. Hi. So, thank you for having me at your meeting. Sure. You're still welcome in this room. Thank you. I know. I feel okay. What can we do for you Kimberly?
Getting the secret sauce here. Um well, um Deborah and I had a conversation on Friday, but uh I think you all are aware, but our jet skiis were stolen off of Long Pond a couple of weeks ago. So, um, she did let me know that it came up at a meeting and that y'all were
entertaining some sort of, you know, at some point surveillance or cameras or whatever at the boat, but so I'm here to make sure that y'all know that there's a face behind that and it needs to happen and I can see how there's lack of money
or time or lack of quorum and uh, pretty soon it'll be fall and won't be top of mind and then it'll be winter and it will be nowhere on anyone's agenda and before you know it, we'll be back at spring. Well, Deborah, yourself are correct. We definitely discussed um surveillance
over at the boat ramp. As you've known as all you can see as a avid boat jet skier, you know, there's been some significant upgrades over the past couple years, right? Um so from the shed to the striping to the gate to everything that's going on someday, the new ramp someday,
right? But surveillance is definitely one of those things there and at the at the uh the town beach. So, and of course, Chief Rose is here. He can speak more to that, but it's one of those areas that it's it's far away enough from town that enough stuff's going on that having a second set of eyes is always important.
Yeah. Um, it's and sorry, sucking folks. I don't mean to talk over you. Um, you know, that that's been an interesting one because it's actually run by the town, but not I don't know how much you're aware, so you probably already know this, but it's actually owned by the state and
managed by the town. So, um, I'm well aware of that because it brings a lot of fingerpointing and inability and red tape for anybody to do anything. Further complicated by the fact that 2/3 or whatever, threequarters of the pond
is in Lakeville, too. So, and it's the only real public access to the pond, right? So, there is and I'm not trying to point fingers and make excuses or anything. No, I don't take that personally. I was just saying that. No, no, no. I know. I know. No, I'm the town of the state. I'm not taking
that way, trust me. Um, so we we recently, I say recently, it's probably been two years now, we went back to the state because we we had a lot of visions of different things we wanted to do there to improve it for
residents as well as uh out of town or resident out out of town people. And they allowed us to increase the fees that we were charging, but still to a very minuscule amount if you ask me,
right? And they said, "Oh, well, you guys are already like well out of the realm of what we're charging at basically every other uh public boat ramp. So, we we're not allowed to change much." So, I know you don't want to hear this, but you know,
there was always a financial strain of what we can do there, right? We have to think about our taxpayers as part of this equation. Um, with that being said, unfortunately, I think it's bad timing because we did talk about putting cameras down there, right? This has been
happening at the unfortunate time that your your jet skis were stolen, which, you know, was made very well aware of by, you know, several individuals. So, I'm I'm truly sorry to hear that and I truly truly hope that whoever took him gets caught. So, um I you know I think
one of our issues really has been what we had talked about at our last meeting. I'm not sure if you heard what we talked about, but it was really about um how do we get the cameras in there, right? the easiest way, whether it be through um a neighbor's internet because we
don't have internet power down, we don't have internet access down there, whether we do it remotely, right? So, there was some different stuff that we had asked our office to um try and research and then bring back to us. Um and then hopefully we can make a decision and I'm
going to promise you that as I sit here in front of you, I will not let it fall away. Okay? because um park I that's my normal we're we're a little bit offkilter today because the normal chair of our board isn't here but normally I'm the the parks and wreck guy and so that
that's really kind of what if something comes up with that it's usually falling under me. So um I'm going to tell you that I I'll never make a promise I can't keep but I'm gonna I'm going to do my best for us to see it through as as will they. Right. So um keep an eye on for you. You know, I I
really do want you to know that that um because it's that's unfortunate and I can't say it enough, but I hope they get caught. Now, for curiosity for the those at home, who ended up taking the report? Was it our was it ours? Was it No, because we live in like had I known
or thought about it differently. Maybe I would have made a different choice. But I live in Lakeville, so who did I call Lakeville police? So, yeah. Um Chief Rose, while I had I don't know if that was a bad thing. I don't know. Like that's who you would report to, right? That's only makes but but if that's something that like
everyone should know from now on if there's a theft reported like I don't I don't know what the pros and cons of it would be. I would say that it would be to your town because how would you know that if Freetown had anything to do with it because we don't really have anything to do with it other than if they went through the boat ramp to to
access to get your jet skis, right? Or what if they did it through a private Yeah. There's a couple private piece of property in Lakeville then that would have nothing to do with Freetown, right? Okay. So it doesn't matter grows for the future where uh where should we direct residents to or out
oftowners should be any signs saying who to call or so whenever someone's a victim of a crime they should always start with their local law enforcement right so if you're you know Lakeville resident you contact your lo local police department and uh they'll give you guidance too. So
but not all calls that come into our department fall within our jurisdictions. Sometimes we have uh restraining order violations that are resident in our town but the violation of the restraining order is another community. So at that point we would
redirect them to that community where that violation took place. Um however um we still provide a service no matter you know where the the crime took place and we you know advise the residents of
such. Okay. All right. Would we benefit putting a sign up? I know there's a lot of signs there already and I don't want to bombard anybody with more signs. However, does it make sense to either remove some signs that are currently there now and add that sign saying in case of emergency
uh theft or I know 911 is always an option, right? It's probably the best option unless it's not emergency. I'm not sure. If it's if it's a theft, it's technically an emergency, right? Would you consider if someone found out that their jet skis were stolen that they should be calling 911?
Well, obviously, I mean, sorry. Yeah, kind of putting me on the spot. A theft obviously for any type of emergency, we're going to tell you to dial 911. So, let's say the theft took place two days ago. Is it a dire emergency? The answer is no.
Right. But to get the information that you seek, you always want to start with your local law enforcement. Yeah. Now, regarding the boat ramp, I mean, the agreement that the town signed with the state was back in 1994. We've been managing that property since then. I
think unless you're new to the area and you're not aware that we're there on a regular basis patrolling the area. And then the uh the Lakeville Freetown town line is approximately uh probably about a half mile up the roadway with a big giant
sign that says Freetown on one side and Lakeville on the other. Um and I'm not minimizing the situation, but there's a lot of a matter of fact the board that's there I think this actually has something on there that says Freetown as well. But um more signage is always good
if you you want to place another sign. Well, there's a lot there's a lot there now, right? It's like uh I look at it as like your control center, right? There's only so many monitors you can see at one time, right? Before you kind of get tunnel vision and what I don't want is confuse more people by adding additional sign. I know there's some there that we
want to remove, so maybe it's a good opportunity to kind of mix and match and just update them little and refresh them. I will say this, just to add about the video surveillance, I'm all for it. I mean, any type of video evidence for law enforcement is uh worth so much more
than an officer writing a report. Proof is in the pudding. You see the video, you can get those detailed information just supports our evidentiary uh complaints that go to court. So, that would definitely benefit us if we could have that video surveillance.
Yeah. like I mean we it was and I I'm speaking on behalf of myself not the board but as a board we did you know there was we were all very in very much so in agreeance of that we should have cameras there right to to aid and
protect the town our first responders the residents whether you know anyone so um it was just about how we do it in the best manner so that way we didn't put something in place that didn't work and you know so
is there a way we can use the peg funds for for this type of surveillance or video I don't think so okay just food for thought we'll get there we'll find a way I believe it I do I I appreciate that and uh Mrs. Petty or Miss Miss Petty,
she spoke highly of you. She's like, "No, my board is good." Like, "They will not drop it. I promise." So, um, well, that's cuz she'll keep us going. She'll kick us in the butt. She our email. She's the Google Analytics data contact person. Oh, no.
Got to use I got to use it day one. Fantastic. Remembered it. My last question to you out of curiosity, any any leads? Any promising leads? Uh, probably can't comment on that, but um I I mean I hope they're caught, too. I think the additional commentary like
it's probably like lightning, right? Usually doesn't strike twice in the same place. Uh but you never know because I think um you know the the people that do this are probably pretty good at it. And and do it whenever they can and
sometimes maybe to taunt you. So, um I think you know we're probably lucky as a town that we have such low crime anyway, but like this is just a reminder that like we're not isolated or insulated
from it. And there could be other things that go on at the boat ramp as well. Forget about theft at 2 a.m. You know what about whatever? We don't need to talk about it, but there's a lot of things that could go on there. And you know, I'm more than happy to be that
squeaky wheel if there needs to be a constant weekly call to whoever it might be at the state because you brought up a good point. That sounds like I'm not very good at math, but 30 years old, 32 years old agreement, probably a lot has changed. Probably a lot could be
rewritten in that contract. And you know, if the state owns the property, like where is their limit of liability or or what should they be doing to help you? Because I think it's a fair point about the taxpayers like you didn't ask for this either. Like you come manage it
there. Like come out of Beacon Hill and you come over here. Like we don't want it. We don't want the expense. We don't want to play police details and things like that. So it's a fair point. Like who's going to pay? Mhm. Maybe the state should pay it, you know, or the state should sell it and let you
all manage it and charge what you want and track who comes in and anytime you pull something off, you got to prove that you own it. Dump it all put it in all you want. I'll take your $10 when you put it in, but if you're going to pull it off, you need to prove that you own it. Maybe you can close the gate at night. like that just
seems like mind-blowingly obvious to me where every other m and I'm just I don't know maybe I'm wrong but um a lot of other state land parks uh all this stuff closes at dusk cemeteries close at dusk why does this not close
why nonsensical to me great question because at the middle of the night now it's my backyard right so now look like everyone has access but during the day everyone can fish everyone can enjoy nature Sure, that's all fine. But
after that, who had the duty of care? Mhm. To make sure people couldn't come to my backyard. Mhm. See, same kind of dichotomy like I I got to build this MBTA thing, but then there's a rail ab budding it. Like it's not my fault that there's a pond
abudding my property kind of and now people have access by way of a town owned boat ramp of the state or the state. Yeah. But you know what I mean. I know exactly what you say. It's just it's super frustrating and you know I am kind of new to the to that
whole thing like I'm from Ohio originally. I'm not from here. Um I've lived in Lakeville for a bit but only been on the pond since 2020. So I'm not like third generation pond kind of knows all the politics and all that. Like I really don't know. Um, I did get
involved with, we talked about it too, um, with Deborah, the whole weed situation and who's going to deal what. Like I was in support of like I live on the pond. I understand my property values are tied to that. So, I was all in in favor of that. And I don't know. I
I can't even comprehend why we opened up a vote to the entire town of Lakeville when only the people on the pond were going to pay the tax. Like, we were willing to pay the tax. Like that baffles me. Why would why didn't we let people in Arkansas vote on like it made no sense why you would let somebody who
was not impacted by the law have a say in it when we were trying to do the right thing for the pond for the next generation. So anyway, I understand all of the frustration and the whole everybody has a little bit of ownership and a little bit say but no responsibility, no
authority. So um if there's anything I can do um from being just a citizen then That's happy to take on that role, too. Absolutely. So, let me know. M love it. Thanks for being here, for letting us giving you your information
and giving us the the face view of the of the of the issue at hand. Um, no, we'll we'll do everything we can and I understand your frustrations with the pond. We've grown to know a lot about it. Um, the seas of the pond. Uh take over, I have I have a feeling a lot of
people would be happy. maybe some over a town hall especially um because it would be it is quite a bit at times uh to take to take it on but it's people like you that come in that come in here and let us know what your two cents are to let us that gives us our our drive so thank you for that
but it's not fair to you too like I'm sure you guys didn't ask to have this just burden put on you and then out of we got elected so it's part of the part of the job yeah I I yeah you see yes and I didn't mean you but like the town like Yeah why is it the town's problem to solve
the state's thing like they're an absentee landlord. Um, rewrite that lease, rewrite that contract, and let me know if I can help write grants or whatever the case may be to to get more funding because um, seemingly and
and I'm sure it's more complicated than it than I'll make it sound, but like you can get internet for $99 a month somehow. So, like it doesn't seem like it would it would take a big line on a budget, but I guess there's storage and then
there's who's going to maintain it, who's going to view it, request. Yeah. So, then public records requests and stuff. It does snowball after, you know, cringing over there hearing that, right? Because public records request is a huge deal in this department and, you know, so there's all that. So then to Oh, and as soon as there's a camera,
we have to keep the record somewhere. So we can't just let it erase off after a couple of days and Right. Okay. Good point. Yeah. So it's there's a lot of other pieces to it, right? Than it seems on surface, but um regardless rather than myself
continuing talking in circles, I will tell you that I um you know, I I know as a board that we will take care of it and do right by it for you as well as other residents and and people. Maybe ask Lakeville for some help, too. Maybe they'll kick into the budget. I
don't know because again, it's threequarters of it's on Lakeville. So, I don't know. But I'll leave all of that who pays to you guys. But and and so, you know, I I'll I'll close with that. We have built a a good working relationship with Lakeville. So, as we continue our talks under matters,
we'll we'll feather this in and and um let them know, okay, that a constituent of theirs came in and and let them know what's going on so that they're aware of it as well so that maybe there is a mutual way forward in the future. Yeah. All right. Maybe I could make a guest appearance over there too and tell them like, hey,
tell them we said hello. Like we have a um what is it? A vested interest in you playing nicely and helping Freetown because we all benefit if we work together. But, you know, cuz nobody cares until it happens to them. So, I guess I'm I'm the face of that now. Like, exactly.
So, yeah, let me know again how I can help. And I appreciate you taking the time. And of course, appreciate you staying here and listening to us blab on for the past couple of hours. So, exciting. I wanted to ask the MBTA guys something, but I was like, it's probably not my place. Well, we'll probably post the answer to
it. So, let us know. You have Deb's contact, and we'll be more happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you so much. I hope you have a great night. All right. All right. Moving on with our our agenda. We have some signatures. Um must be sign away. We'll read the
executive sessions and then close out the public agenda and and enter executive session and then not return back from executive session and uh go home. You said you're not going to return to open session, right? Correct. Not going to return back to open session. People
have had enough listening to me today and me. I need a bottle of water. I'll have more space in the revised language. All right. All right. I will read the executive session minutes and then close out the
open meeting that we're having. All right. So, returning back to executive session, item agenda 3, MGLC 38 section 21A7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general special law or federal grant and aid requirements, specifically GLC 38 section 22 for the
purpose of reviewing executive session minutes for approval and determining whether such minutes shall be released in the matter of approval. Not release of executive session minutes from 728 2025. Item agenda four, MGLC38 section 21A3 to discuss strategy with the
following collective barding with the Freetown Police Association because an open meeting may be detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body. The chair so declares as I do. All right. That said, for the purpose of this meeting, I entertain the motion to
end open session and go into executive session and not returning back from executive session for today. A motion made. Second. All in favor? I. I. Yes. Yes. All right. Now, executive session. Executive session has begun.