Freetown Select Board Approves Pursuit of $22.8 Million COA-Library Building Grant

FREETOWN — September 29, 2025 — Freetown Select Board votes to pursue $22.8 million combined COA-library building with state grant. The board voted unanimously Monday to move forward with a 24,000-square-foot combined Council on Aging and library facility under an MBLC construction grant worth approximately $9 million, and set a hard project ceiling of $15 million for the town's share. Owner's project manager Mark Champagne of P3 told the joint meeting that eligibility for the construction grant depends on the town achieving MBTA Communities Act zoning compliance — something Freetown voters have so far rejected — and that failure to comply could trigger a full redesign at an added cost of roughly $100,000. A non-binding poll of the COA/Library Community Building Committee came back 6-2 in favor of the larger, grant-eligible option. Town accountant Matt confirmed the town has roughly $3 to $4 million in available cash plus borrowing capacity of $10 million, putting total capacity above $20 million. Library trustee chair Amy Cyper argued that state-mandated 3A compliance is likely coming regardless, making the $9 million grant "money the town has spent two decades earning."