Freetown Select Board Moves Forward on MBTA Zoning Mandate, Eyes Town Meeting Vote

FREETOWN — March 25, 2024 — Freetown's Select Board took up state-mandated housing zoning and a slate of municipal votes at its March 25 meeting. Planners from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District presented a proposed Planned Development District overlay — a reworked version of the town's existing Planned Unit Development zone near the future South Main Street commuter rail station — designed to meet the state's Section 3A requirement that Freetown zone for at least 750 multifamily housing units by right at 16 units per acre across roughly 118 acres. Planners warned that missing the December 31, 2024 compliance deadline could trigger lawsuits and flip the town's state grant cost-share from 20 percent to 100 percent. The board also unanimously extended its curbside trash contract with Borges Brothers Trucking Inc. through June 30, 2027 at approximately $58,000 annually, and voted to shorten the Fourth of July parade route to begin at Ridge Hill Road, a change the police chief said would eliminate an unlicensed Route 24 ramp closure and free four to five officers. A Planning Board public hearing is set for April 2.