Freedom Grants More Relief from Requirements Imposed on Wabanaki

Freedom—June 17, 2026—Newly released information shows Freedom approved 11 permits in April for Wabanaki Campground to make improvements to its buildings and infrastructure.

The work appears to be contrary to the terms of a January agreement between the town and Wabanaki owner Mark Salvati that there be no changes, or permits issued, until long-standing environmental and zoning violations are corrected and there is a Planning Board review of the property.

The 11 permits, obtained through a right-to-know request, include six for electrical work, including inspections and repairs, and installation of underground service. The permits also include at least three building permits for structural repairs and interior remodeling.

The permits are mainly for the property’s “hutnick” cabins. Last year the town determined that the hutnicks had been altered and expanded with bedrooms, porches and “sanitary services” without approvals.

The hutnick violations are among numerous other violations that the town in January required the owner to correct. The town said that if it were forced to litigate the violations, fines could total $716,000.

Last month the town authorized the business to install two new Park Models on the property. Town tax records show one Park Model was a replacement for a smaller RV, while the second was for a previously empty lot.

Town officials did not respond to a request to comment on the decision to allow the new structures while violations remain outstanding.

The January agreement between Wabanaki and the town appeared to end years of inaction by town officials about alleged zoning violations, septic system anomalies and untreated runoff into the lake.

Wabanaki agreed to produce an engineered stormwater management plan and an “existing conditions” plan. Conservation groups and neighbors had sought such plans for more than two years. They applauded the agreement for having the potential to improve environmental protections for the lake.

Freedom Town Counsel Matthew Serge of Drummond Woodsum said the plans would have to be reviewed by a professional third-party before being submitted to the Planning Board. He said applying to the Planning Board was required because the property had been “altered” from the subdivision plan that was approved by DES in 2001.

“I want to emphasize…that no further improvements may be made to any portion of the campground property, nor will any permits be issued, until the current violations are remedied,” Serge wrote in January.

Salvati missed a February 26 deadline to submit the two plans. Town officials previously declined to comment on the status of the plans, but last week said a stormwater management plan had been submitted and sent to CMA Engineering for a third-party review.

The official said a copy of the plan would not be made public because it is considered a “draft” until CMA reviews it and any needed revisions are made.

It is not clear whether CMA is reviewing the materials for sufficiency or conducting a technical review. In response to a request for a copy of the town’s agreement with CMA, the official said “there is no written contract” because CMA has previously worked for the town.