Freetown Board of Selectmen Adopts $34.85 Million FY2027 Budget With New Firefighter
Freetown Board of Selectmen unanimously adopts $34,854,562.50 FY2027 budget and clears 17 other agenda items in under 35 minutes.
FREETOWN -- June 1, 2026, Freetown Board of Selectmen unanimously adopts $34,854,562.50 FY2027 budget and clears 17 other agenda items in under 35 minutes. The board added a 21st full-time firefighter position, funded with $71,000 freed by a lower-than-expected school assessment and a $65,000 increase in state cherry sheet aid, and added $10,000 to the injured-on-duty insurance line, with Town Administrator Deborah Petty describing the staffing addition as supporting four firefighters on every shift. The board also authorized Petty to execute the annual refuse contract with the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District at $90 per ton, pending town counsel review of a new indemnification clause Petty said she "didn't have time today to really digest." Members noted the Crapo Hill Landfill is running out of capacity and that year-to-year contracts reflect the facility's uncertain lifespan. The board also reviewed annual and special town meeting warrant articles, flagging that Freetown must adopt a battery energy storage system zoning bylaw before October or cede permitting authority to the state.
Members read the rest of this story and every Freetown meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Freetown who follows town government? Share Townbrief Freetown: they can sign up free.