Selectmen authorize emergency demolition of fire-damaged Water Street structure
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of April 29, 2026
Freetown selectmen authorize $7.5M library and COA building debt exclusion and approve emergency demolition. Board members Carlos Lopes, Chad S. Carvalho, and Jared Zager voted unanimously for the 20-year declining debt service option, which would cost average households approximately $136 annually in the first year, declining thereafter and saving $1.2 million in interest versus level debt service.
The Finance Committee likewise voted unanimously to approve. The $26.5 million project is offset by $9.4 million in grants, $6 million from capital stabilization, and $3 million from overlay surplus. Selectmen also authorized demolition of a fire-damaged structure at 42 Water Street estimated at $25,000 following two arson fires.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 427 words
Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of April 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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