Freetown Boards Approve Demolition Order, Back 20-Year Declining Debt Plan

FREETOWN — April 29, 2026 — Freetown Select Board authorizes emergency demolition of fire-damaged home and locks in debt structure for $7.5 million community building loan. Meeting jointly with the Finance Committee on April 29, both boards voted unanimously to endorse a 20-year declining debt service plan for a $7.5 million borrowing to fund the proposed Library, Council on Aging, and Community Building — a structure that saves approximately $1.2 million in interest compared to the level-payment alternative and would cost the owner of an average assessed home ($531,517) roughly $136 per year at peak. The Select Board also voted unanimously to authorize demolition of 42 Water Street, a fire-damaged vacant property in probate whose owner died leaving two contested wills, with relatives holding no legal authority to act; Building Commissioner Kyle cited a demolition quote of approximately $25,000 and described the structure as leaning and openly exposing copper piping. Town Administrator Debbie warned both boards that the newly ratified teachers union contract will add approximately $1,037,000 to Freetown's school assessment this fiscal year, with three-year raises ranging from 16.8 to 25 percent — figures provided by district business official Jack Higgins and flagged as conservative because they exclude lane changes for advanced degrees.