Conservation Commission Backs Option 3 for South Main Street Bridge Replacement

FREETOWN — March 26, 2024 — Freetown Conservation Commission recommends Option 3 for South Main Street bridge replacement and advances conservation agent search. The three-member board — Margaret French, Steve Trip, and Charlie Sullivan — voted unanimously on all seven substantive items at its March 26 meeting, including a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen that Option 3 of a bridge replacement study represents the least conservation impact for the South Main Street crossing, which has a crack currently under active monitoring. The commission also approved a three-year extension of an Order of Conditions for a CVE North America solar project at 12 Forge Road, citing utility interconnection delays, and issued a Negative Determination No. 3 for a Title 5 septic upgrade at 24 Island Road Extension near Long Pond. A $30,000 land fund warrant article was approved for the fiscal year 2024-2025 annual Town Meeting, and the commission voted to fund online permitting startup costs — estimated under $20,000 — by redirecting dollars from the conservation agent line item rather than seeking a new appropriation.