Select Board Continues Chopperhead License Hearing, Approves Conservation Donation Account

FREETOWN — September 9, 2024 — Freetown Select Board continues Chopperhead Custom Cycles license hearing to November amid neighbor complaints and police video. The board voted unanimously September 9 to continue — rather than close — the public hearing on the Class 2 motor vehicle dealer license held by Chopperhead Industries Inc. at 13 County Road in East Freetown, giving the business time to work with town officials before the January 1 license renewal vote. Police Chief Harry Rose presented video footage and a complaint history spanning May through August, telling the board that an August 1 gathering drew an estimated 150 to 200 people and triggered a vehicle pursuit into New Bedford. Attorney Richard Bennett, representing owner Joshua Gagner, called August 1 "really the anomaly" and noted that roughly 40 prior bike nights produced no arrests or alcohol citations, though a clerk magistrate hearing on a criminal complaint application is set for October 3. County Road resident Julie Baker, who recorded the August 1 video, told the board, "That was a good night" — meaning police presence had suppressed the worst behavior. In other business, the board established a Robert Dean donation account for the Conservation Commission to fund refurbishment of Porta Pasture open space, and authorized Complete Streets grant applications targeting up to $500,000 in federal reimbursement for crosswalk and ADA curb-ramp upgrades on Main Street.