Conservation Commission Extends MBTA Rail Permits, Backs Central Park Trail Grant

FREETOWN — January 22, 2024 — Freetown Conservation Commission advances MBTA permit extensions and Central Park trail grant in busy January session. The five-member board voted unanimously to extend two expiring orders of conditions tied to active MBTA rail work — DEP file numbers 26612 and 26613, covering the Freetown Secondary and New Bedford Main Line respectively — for three years before their February deadline, with environmental scientist Dr. Lis Carlson appearing on behalf of VHB and the MBTA. The commission also issued a negative determination for the Freetown Planning Board's Central Park trail accessibility project at 2 Memorial Drive, clearing the way for a Massachusetts Trails Grant application that would resurface and upgrade the existing loop trail. A notice of intent for 90 South Main Street passed four to one, with Commissioner Steve Trip dissenting over recent flooding concerns near the Heron Run spawning area. Chair Charles Sullivan and commissioners closed the meeting by directing planning and land use administrator Victoria Alfaro to draft cleaner enforcement language for the wetlands bylaw, prompted by a recent violation case at 12 South Main Street.