Local news for the towns of Buzzards Bay
and the lower Taunton River

57°ClearNew Bedford, Oct. 15, 9:50 a.m.

TownsBristol County

Freetown

Freetown news from South Coast 360, built from the town's posted agendas, minutes and notices. This week: the library and senior center design and its two cost figures.

Illustrated map of Freetown, highlighted in gold among its neighbors

Watch

Short reels with captions. Tap to play, then read the story.

    Latest from Freetown

    Meetings we are reading

    Freetown meetings and the documents posted for them
    WhenBodyWhat is posted
    Oct. 6COA/Library Community Building CommitteeAgenda: "Design Updates and Options," possible vote. Minutes not yet posted.
    Sept. 22COA/Library Community Building CommitteeNotice. Minutes not yet posted.
    Sept. 8COA/Library Community Building CommitteeNotice posted. Minutes not yet posted.
    Aug. 25COA/Library Community Building CommitteeMinutes, the source of this week's recap.

    Checked against the town's Agenda Center on Oct. 7 at 7:07 a.m.

    Listings from official town pages, checked by our desk. Each one links to its source.

    Coming up

    1. Freetown Board of Health meets Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Council on Aging

      Wed., Oct. 21 · 6 p.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      The Board of Health meets Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown. A public hearing on a proposed regulation addition is scheduled for the same evening.

      From the townBoard of Health Hearing Notice (posted Oct. 6, 2026)

    2. Freetown Special Town Meeting is Monday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Apponequet

      Mon., Nov. 9 · 6:30 p.m. · Falcon Auditorium, Apponequet Regional High School, 100 Howland Road, Lakeville

      The Board of Selectmen's notice sets a Special Town Meeting for Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert C. Falcon Auditorium, Apponequet Regional High School, 100 Howland Road, Lakeville. The window for submitting warrant articles ran Aug. 4 to Sept. 8; the warrant itself was not posted when checked.

      From the townCalendar, Freetown MA (Oct. and Nov. 2026 month views)

    3. Freetown-Lakeville school committee meets Oct. 14 and Nov. 4 at Apponequet High School library

      Oct. 14 to Nov. 4 · Apponequet High School Library, 100 Howland Road, Lakeville

      The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee's posted schedule lists meetings Wednesday, Oct. 14 and Wednesday, Nov. 4. In-person meetings are held in the Apponequet High School Library, 100 Howland Road, and streamed on LakeCam. Start times were not posted on the page.

      From the districtFreetown-Lakeville Regional School District 2026-2027 School Calendar (linked from freelake.org)

    Elections

    1. Freetown early voting runs Oct. 17 to 30 at the Police Department Community Room

      Oct. 17 to 30 · Freetown Police Department Community Room, 15 Memorial Drive, East Freetown

      In-person early voting for the Nov. 3 state election is at the Police Department Community Room, 15 Memorial Drive, East Freetown. Saturdays Oct. 17 and 24 run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mondays through Wednesdays are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursdays Oct. 22 and 29 run 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays Oct. 23 and 30 run 8 a.m. to noon.

      From the townState Election - November 3, 2026 (Elections Department)

    2. Freetown voting equipment is tested in public Oct. 21 at 10 a.m.

      Wed., Oct. 21 · 10 a.m. · Freetown Town Hall, Office of the Town Clerk, 3 North Main St., Assonet

      The Town Clerk will run the public test of the ImageCast Precinct Tabulators and ballots for all precincts Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m., continuing until done. The test is open to the public at the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall.

      From the town

    3. Freetown voter registration deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24

      Sat., Oct. 24 · 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. · Freetown Town Hall, 3 North Main St., Assonet

      Residents not yet registered must register by Saturday, Oct. 24 to vote Nov. 3. A final registration session runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day at the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall, 3 North Main St., Assonet. Online registration is at VoteInMA.com.

      From the townState Election - November 3, 2026 (Elections Department)

    4 more
    1. Freetown mail-ballot applications are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27

      Tue., Oct. 27 · 5 p.m. · Freetown Town Hall, 3 North Main St., Assonet

      Vote-by-mail and absentee-by-mail applications must be received by the Town Clerk's office by 5 p.m. Oct. 27. The notice says this is a receipt deadline, not a postmark deadline. In-person absentee voting closes at noon Monday, Nov. 2, per the elections page.

      From the townState Election - November 3, 2026 (Elections Department)

    2. Freetown mail ballots: drop off by 8 p.m. Nov. 3 or mail with a Nov. 3 postmark

      Nov. 3 to 13 · 8 p.m. / 5 p.m. · Freetown Town Hall, 3 North Main St., Assonet

      Completed ballot packets returned in person or to the white drop box at Town Hall must arrive by 8 p.m. Election Day. Mailed packets need a Nov. 3 postmark and must reach the Town Clerk by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 if mailed from within the U.S. (Nov. 13 from abroad). Ballot packets cannot be delivered to the polling place.

      From the townState Election - November 3, 2026 (Elections Department)

    3. Freetown Election Day: all three precincts vote at Freetown Elementary School

      Tue., Nov. 3 · 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. · Freetown Elementary School, Bullock Road, East Freetown

      Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Precincts 1, 2 and 3 all vote at Freetown Elementary School, Bullock Road, East Freetown (use the Memorial Drive entrance).

      From the townCalendar, Freetown MA (Oct. and Nov. 2026 month views)

    4. Freetown Board of Registrars meets Nov. 13 to count overseas and write-in absentee ballots

      Fri., Nov. 13 · 5:05 p.m. · Freetown Town Hall, 1st floor, 3 North Main St., Assonet

      The Board of Registrars meets Friday, Nov. 13 at 5:05 p.m. in Town Hall, first floor, to process and tabulate overseas (UOCAVA) absentee ballots and federal write-in absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election.

      From the townCalendar, Freetown MA (Oct. and Nov. 2026 month views)

    Notices

    1. Freetown second-quarter tax bills are due Monday, Nov. 2

      Mon., Nov. 2 · all day

      The town calendar lists second-quarter taxes due Nov. 2.

      From the town

    2. Freetown Town Clerk's office is closed Wednesday, Nov. 4

      Wed., Nov. 4 · all day

      The Office of the Town Clerk is closed all day Nov. 4, the day after the state election, per the town calendar.

      From the town

    3. Freetown: no trash pickup Veterans Day, Nov. 11; pickups delayed one day Nov. 12 to 14

      Nov. 11 to 14 · all day

      Town offices are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11 and there is no curbside pickup. Pickups Nov. 12 through 14 are delayed one day.

      From the townCurbside Trash & Recycling Holiday 2026 Calendar

    2 more
    1. Freetown Transfer Station keeps Sunday hours through Nov. 1

      Oct. 12 to Nov. 1 · 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. · 49 Howland Road, Assonet

      The Transfer Station, 49 Howland Road, Assonet, is open Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 1; regular hours resume Nov. 2. It is closed Mondays and holidays, and the page says it also closes the Tuesday after a Monday holiday.

      From the town

    2. Freetown: no trash pickup Oct. 12, pickups delayed one day Oct. 13 to 17

      Oct. 12 to 17 · all day

      Town offices are closed Monday, Oct. 12 for Columbus Day and there is no curbside trash or recycling pickup that day. Pickups Oct. 13 through 17 are delayed one day.

      From the townCurbside Trash & Recycling Holiday 2026 Calendar

    Library

    1. Freetown libraries host a Thursday adult craft, 4 to 7 p.m., Oct. 15 and Oct. 22

      Oct. 15 to 22 · 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

      The October calendar lists an adult craft Oct. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. and a pop-up adult craft Oct. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. (a mini beaded cauldron).

      From the townFreetown Public Libraries October 2026 calendar (image posted on Libraries page)

    2. Freetown library trivia night is Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. for adults

      Tue., Oct. 20 · 6 p.m. · Freetown Community Room (as printed on calendar)

      The libraries' October calendar and Libraries page list an adult trivia night Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Freetown Community Room.

      From the townFreetown Public Libraries October 2026 calendar (image posted on Libraries page)

    3. Freetown story time with Miss Alyssa runs Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. in October

      Oct. 14 to 28 · 11:15 a.m.

      The October calendar shows story time Wednesdays Oct. 14, 21 and 28 at 11:15 a.m., plus a Tuesday Oct. 27 session at 10:30 a.m.

      From the townLibraries (Freetown, MA)

    Council on Aging

    1. Freetown COA team pumpkin decorating is Thursday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.

      Thu., Oct. 15 · 1 p.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      Teams of four or five decorate pumpkins at the Council on Aging; materials and appetizers are provided and participants vote for a winner. The newsletter asks for RSVPs by Oct. 10.

      From the town

    2. Freetown COA limits Medicare appointments during open enrollment, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7

      Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      During Medicare open enrollment, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, the Council on Aging is limiting appointment slots to existing clients already on Medicare. Residents turning 65 during that period should book before or after it. Call 508-763-9557.

      From the town

    3. Freetown COA chef luncheons Oct. 20 and 27 at 11:30 a.m., sign-up required

      Oct. 20 to 27 · 11:30 a.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      The Council on Aging's Tuesday chef luncheon is Oct. 20 (pasta bake) and Oct. 27 (pork chops) at 11:30 a.m. Sign-up is required and a $2 donation is suggested.

      From the townThe Senior Profile Newsletter page

    4 more
    1. Freetown COA hosts a hip-hop square dance Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m.

      Thu., Oct. 22 · 1:30 p.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      A square-dance style group activity is Thursday, Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Council on Aging, sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. RSVP by Oct. 21.

      From the town

    2. Freetown COA 'Slightly Spooky Massachusetts' talk is Friday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.

      Fri., Oct. 23 · 10 a.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      The Frankly Speaking program presents part two of a spooky tour of Massachusetts sites, followed by a Halloween raffle. RSVP by Oct. 22.

      From the town

    3. Freetown COA team trivia is Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.

      Wed., Oct. 28 · 2 p.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      Team Trivia runs at 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Council on Aging. RSVP by Oct. 27.

      From the town

    4. Freetown COA offers free 15-minute elder-law consults Oct. 28, 1 to 2 p.m.

      Wed., Oct. 28 · 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      An elder-law attorney is at the Council on Aging the last Wednesday of each month, 1 to 2 p.m., for free 15-minute consultations. Appointments are made by calling 508-763-9557.

      From the town

    Schools

    1. Freetown-Lakeville students have no school Tuesday, Nov. 3 (professional day) and Wednesday, Nov. 11

      Nov. 3 to 11

      The district calendar lists Nov. 3 as a professional development day with no school for students, and Nov. 11 as Veterans Day observed, no school.

      From the district

    2. Freetown-Lakeville schools: half day Nov. 25, Thanksgiving recess Nov. 26 and 27

      Nov. 25 to 27

      Students and staff have a half day Wednesday, Nov. 25, followed by Thanksgiving recess Nov. 26 and 27.

      From the district

    What we are watching

    1. Freetown Board of Health sets Oct. 21 hearing on a body art regulation addition

      Wed., Oct. 21 · 6 p.m. · Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown

      The Board of Health will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Council on Aging on a proposed addition to its body art regulations (Chapter I, Section 6). The proposed text can be read at the Board of Health office, Town Hall Annex, 69 S. Main St., Assonet, during business hours.

      From the townNews Flash: Public Hearing on Board of Health Regulations Addition

    2. Freetown's COA/Library building project moves into design development

      The October Senior Profile says the project the town approved in June has moved from schematic design to design development. The town's project page puts total cost at $26.5 million, with a $9.8 million state construction grant and $7.5 million to be raised through a debt exclusion.

      From the townCOA/Library Building Project (Freetown, MA)