Freetown Conservation Commission hires new agent, waives $435,000 land purchase

FREETOWN — May 13, 2024 — Freetown Conservation Commission hired a new conservation agent and waived a $435,000 land purchase at its May 13 meeting. After interviewing five candidates, the commission selected Adeline B., currently the full-time conservation officer for Seekonk, to serve as Freetown's conservation agent; a formal appointment vote is set for a Zoom meeting May 20 at 3:30 p.m. The commission also voted unanimously to waive its Chapter 61A right of first refusal on 9 Flag Swamp Road, an 8-plus-acre parcel with a house listed at $435,000. Four determinations of applicability were approved — including a renewal for the Standard Solar array at 35 Copicut Road and a new determination for a gazebo at 1 Browns Lane — while the 0 Cliff Drive dead-tree removal request was tabled pending written documentation of tree condition and removal method. Members raised formal concerns about a proposal to move planning and land use offices to Fire Station No. 2, with conservation agent Victoria citing noise and loss of public access as the two largest obstacles.