Freetown Town Meeting Approves MBTA Communities Zoning Overlay, 157-50

Town Meeting · Meeting of February 2, 2026

Freetown voters approve MBTA Communities zoning overlay 157-50 after years of fights. The Special Town Meeting, reconvened at Apponequet Regional High School after a storm postponement, adopted the overlay covering land near the Excel metal-recycling site off South Main Street, allowing up to 16 units per acre with 25 percent open space. Selectman Carlos A.

Lopes said the town screened every parcel for the least-buildable option before landing on the site. Town special counsel warned an amended lawsuit from the attorney general would likely follow a "no" vote, noting nine other Massachusetts towns are already being sued. Voters separately approved about $3 million in capital spending, including $1.25 million for a Freetown Elementary School boiler and $1.17 million for a new fire engine, and rejected a stricter accessory-structure setback bylaw, 19-99.

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Source: the Town Meeting meeting of February 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.