Freetown Conservation Commission elects Sullivan chair, flags third wetlands violation

FREETOWN — July 10, 2023 — Freetown Conservation Commission reorganizes under Sullivan and faces repeat wetlands violations at Washburn Road. The commission elected Charlie Sullivan as chair and Chris Mather as vice chair at its July 10 meeting, both on unanimous votes. The board continued a contested notice of intent hearing for 14 Washburn Road to August 14 after the conservation agent reported that the property owner appeared to have moved logs in violation of an existing cease-and-desist order — what members identified as a third violation. Sullivan said the commission needed to "make a statement" and proposed fining the owner; a site inspection was set for 8 a.m. July 14 with engineer Jason Youngquest of Outback Engineering. The commission also approved an above-ground pool permit for Anthony Preston at 34 Middleboro Road with spill kit and siltation control requirements, recommended Stephen Tripp for a vacant commission seat, and reappointed Mike McHugh as open space consultant through June 1, 2024. A separate discussion revealed that an MBTA parcel donation near the Board Road crossing inadvertently conveyed Article 97-protected land the MBTA meant to retain, requiring a two-thirds Town Meeting vote and a two-thirds state legislative vote to resolve — the MBTA requested a special commission meeting around July 17 to discuss options.