The meeting began with a recognition ceremony for Mark Joose and Linda Ridz, two individuals with extensive histories of public service in Freetown. Mark Joose, who served as Harbor Master for 35 years and held various roles in public service since 1980, was honored by his son, Kayin Joose. Kayin highlighted his father’s dedication to honesty, integrity, and community. Mark Joose decided to resign after 44 years of combined service due to an unexpected health diagnosis. The Board of Selectmen and representatives from state government, including a representative for State Senator Michael Rodrick and another for the House of Representatives, presented Mark Joose with a certificate and official citations, expressing their gratitude for his service.

Next, Linda Ridz was honored for her extensive career, which began as a dispatcher in 1974. Chief Ashley recounted her various roles, including her time as Administrative Assistant for the Board of Selectmen and her work with the police and fire departments. Linda Ridz was praised for her deep knowledge of the town and its residents, being described as an “encyclopedia of Freetown’s history.” She expressed her gratitude for the recognition, and representatives from the Senator’s and Representative’s offices presented her with citations despite a noted delay in providing one of the citations. The audience’s sentiment underscored Linda’s significant impact on the community.

Transitioning from recognition to town operations, the Board discussed the disposal of surplus equipment from the Council on Aging and the transfer station. Items included old desk phones, keyboards, desk printers, and a typewriter, most of which were broken and deemed of negligible value. A motion to approve the surplus list and send the items to the transfer station was passed unanimously.

The Board then addressed the revision of snowplow rates and the removal of early sign-on bonuses for winter 2024 and 2025. The prior incentive program for early sign-ups had not been effective, leading to a proposed $5 rate increase to maintain subcontractor staff. The competitiveness of the town’s rates and the financial burdens on subcontractors due to minimal snow in previous seasons were discussed. The revised rates and removal of the bonuses were approved.

Establishing a speed limit for the Asona Bay Shores area was another topic. No speed limit had previously been set, complicating enforcement efforts. The police chief provided insights on data collection through traffic devices and the need for a 25 miles per hour limit in thickly settled or business districts. The Board expressed the importance of ensuring any action taken was well-informed and legally compliant. The issue was tabled for further clarification to establish a formal speed limit.

The Board also discussed the temporary closure of the transfer station for training, the approval of updated policies, and the expenditure of federal ARPA funds for road striping. The proposal for a new phone system at the Council on Aging was approved due to potential cost savings and the outdated nature of the current system.

Attention then turned to the vacancy for the Harbor Master and Shellfish Warden positions following Mark Joose’s retirement. Concerns were raised about the lack of established rules and regulations for the position. A proposal to seek guidance from an experienced Harbor Master from a neighboring town was made, emphasizing the need for thorough guidelines to ensure consistency in decision-making.

The Board also welcomed Jessica Vanover, a candidate for the part-time Human Resources Director position. Vanover shared her background, including her move from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Massachusetts due to her husband’s military service and her career journey from healthcare to HR. She expressed a desire to promote a positive view of HR and help others. The Board acknowledged the necessity of creating a solid HR framework, including integrating software systems and developing a comprehensive handbook.

Personnel updates included resignations from various advisory committees and the appointment of new candidates for positions within the town departments. The Board also addressed the status of an injured first responder and approved a collective bargaining agreement with the local public employees union representing the highway department.