0:00One of the foremost items on the agenda was the approval of two memorandums of agreement (MOA) with the Public Employees Union Local 272, aimed at enhancing the working conditions for town employees. The first agreement concerned clerical library staff, focusing on creating a consistent wage structure and addressing pay discrepancies across various positions. The key change in this MOA was the removal of a uniform requirement in exchange for a stricter dress code, which was unanimously approved by the Board. The second agreement, concerning dispatchers, introduced a new night shift differential of 3% for second shifts and 6% for third shifts. This agreement also received unanimous approval.

26:21Infrastructure improvements were another focal point of the meeting. The Board discussed and approved a change order for railings at Freetown Elementary School, necessitated by a recent handicap ramp installation. Compliance with building codes required an additional railing, and the Board acknowledged the necessity of this addition, approving it unanimously.

Additionally, the Board ratified a drinking water Asset Management plan grant contract with Environmental Partners. This contract, leveraging grant funding and an employee match, aims to assess and manage the town’s water infrastructure. The Board underscored the importance of this initiative, which had already received town meeting approval, and ratified the contract without objections.

The Board also addressed the town’s email system, approving a Freetown ma.gov email address for the interim harbormaster. The Board emphasized the importance of having official email addresses assigned to positions rather than individuals.

0:00In a move to improve town resources, the Board approved the transfer of a police department vehicle to the Animal Control Officer. The vehicle, a repurposed detective’s Durango, had been modified to remove police-specific equipment and was deemed suitable for the officer’s needs. The Board unanimously approved this transfer, recognizing the improved condition of the vehicle compared to the officer’s current one.

Another decision involved managing town assets, as the Board declared a 2010 Ford Expedition as surplus. Previously used by the Animal Control Officer, the vehicle was in poor condition, with a notable hole in the floor. The Board decided against repairing it due to its low estimated value and voted to dispose of it as is, considering options such as auctioning or donating, despite safety and liability concerns.

12:51The meeting also included a discussion on a spending plan from the Council on Aging Director, who proposed utilizing a $24,400 formula grant for community programs. The plan allocates $375 weekly for lunch supplies and $250 for labor costs for a popular Tuesday lunch program. The Board expressed appreciation for the program’s success and unanimously approved the spending plan, emphasizing the importance of effective grant use.

26:21At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board addressed the condition of a shed at the Town Beach, which had suffered from vandalism and was considered a safety hazard. The Board agreed on the necessity of its removal, discussing options such as dismantling it or using it for a town bonfire. A motion to declare the shed as surplus and authorize its demolition was passed unanimously.