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Select boards approve a slate of municipal contracts, procurement actions and administrative authorizations
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Summary
In open session following the joint meeting on Nov. 3, the Freetown select board approved bids, agreements and administrative authorizations including a Fire Station No. 2 contract award, surplus declaration of a tax‑title parcel, a town‑wide postcard for the Jan. 26 special town meeting and hiring seasonal snow‑plow drivers.
At the Freetown open session Nov. 3 the select board approved multiple routine and time‑sensitive municipal actions. Board members voted on procurement, personnel and administrative items; several of the votes were unanimous with members saying "aye." Key actions the board took include:
- Awarded the Fire Station No. 2 vinyl siding and window replacement contract to FRG Contractor Corporation (bid cited at $59,740) and approved the agreement between the town and FRG for that project.
- Declared property at Map 210, Lot 108 surplus so the town could consider a transfer to the Department of Conservation and Recreation if the tax title period expires without redemption.
- Approved sending a postcard to all households announcing the Jan. 26, 2026 special town meeting and directed staff to obtain printing quotes; town officials emphasized strong public information for the MBTA Communities zoning article.
- Adopted the monthly contribution rates for the retiree health benefits trust for calendar year 2026 (the board recorded increased rates consistent with the actuarial recommendations and noted rising OPEB liabilities; staff will present options for long‑term mitigation in future meetings).
- Approved a one‑year IT services agreement with Spinnaker Technologies for police and fire department IT support.
- Authorized title‑insurance procurement and the town administrator to sign documents related to a potential Bullock Road land purchase (board members delayed a full purchase vote until test pits and additional environmental reports are completed; the town received a seller request for an extension to Jan. 8, 2026).
- Authorized the town administrator to proceed with procurement and purchase of a replacement trailer for the transfer station if the administrator can satisfy procurement requirements.
- Approved exclusive use of the bandstand for a Dec. 7 tree‑lighting event and approved appraisal and related professional services for a recent tax‑title parcel per the new appraisal requirement in state law.
- Approved a fee agreement for special counsel to represent the town in negotiations with New Bedford regarding water‑supply intermunicipal matters, and approved the snowplow contractor application from SM Automotive LLC.
- Authorized hiring seasonal CDL B and Class D drivers for the 2025–26 winter season at $25 per hour (CDL B) and $22 per hour (Class D) to supplement municipal fleet operations.
The board also received updates on other administrative matters including a forthcoming town‑wide food drive and earmarked state funding for the Council on Aging food program.
Ending: Board members directed staff to return with final documents and cost quotes as required for contracts and capital purchases and to keep the public informed ahead of the Jan. 26 special town meeting.
