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At a glance: Freetown Select Board approves vehicle surplus, property listing, personnel moves and snow‑response hires
Summary
At its Feb. 2 meeting the Select Board declared four police vehicles surplus and authorized three for auction and one for parts, awarded a listing for Map 240 Lot 016, approved a union MOA raising the head mechanic by $0.31, approved four personnel appointments, and set $20/hour for a seasonal snow‑shoveler position.
The Freetown Select Board on Feb. 2 approved a package of routine municipal actions before a special town meeting that evening.
Surplus police vehicles: The board declared four police vehicles surplus after a presentation by the police chief and approved posting vehicles A, C and D on MuniciBid with a $1,000 minimum bid and sending vehicle B (a damaged Dodge Charger used for parts) to be sold for scrap. Members discussed reserve pricing and condition variability before voting to move forward with the stated disposition plan.
Tax‑title property listing: The board voted to award the request for quotes for sale and associated services for Map 240 Lot 016 to Cindy Brower Real Estate and authorized the administrator to sign all documents related to the sale.
Personnel, appointments and labor: The board approved four appointments: Rebecca Bridal to the building committee (term beginning Feb. 3), Paul Seager to the Council on Aging/library/community building committee, Karen Carling Houdley as an unenrolled election worker, and Andrew Simmons as head mechanic (effective Feb. 5). The board also approved a memorandum of agreement with Public Employees Union Local 272 to raise the head mechanic’s pay by $0.31 to the proper step and described the change as routine and supported.
Seasonal snow‑response hires and pay rate: The board approved a job description for a seasonal snow‑shoveler position designed to coordinate volunteer and paid shoveling for seniors and disabled residents. After discussing recruitment and the physical demands of the work, the board set the pay rate for that position at $20 per hour for the season.
Other routine votes: The board accepted a $50 donation from Mr. and Mrs. Nichols to the Council on Aging and approved a snowplow permit for Benjamin Jobe for winter 2025–26. The meeting closed with the board expressing condolences for the recent passing of Chief Abbott and a unanimous motion to adjourn.
What to watch next: Several items (notably the MBTA zoning articles) were moved to the special town meeting agenda later that night; the board’s administrative votes create immediate operational actions (auctions and hiring) but do not alter the pending zoning deliberations.
