The Select Board Stays Very Busy; October 5, 2020

The October 5, 2020 meeting of the Holliston Select Board was called to order by Chair, John Cronin at 7:00pm. 

The first order of business was to receive an election update from Town Clerk, Liz Greendale and to approve / sign the election warrant.

Warrant for November Election and update from Town Clerk

Town Clerk, Liz Greendale

Liz Greendale shared the following election update:

  • The ballots were received from the State last Friday
  • To date, 5,800 applications for mail-in ballots have been received
  • Ballots will start going out this week
  • Three ways to vote:
    • Mail-in (return SIGNED ballots as soon as possible via US Mail or secure ballot box at Town Hall
    • Early in-person voting; October 17 – 30; Upper Town Hall
    • In person voting on Election Day; November 3rd; High School; 7 am – 8 pm
  • The polls will follow COVID guidelines
  • All completed ballots will be processed on November 3rd. Mail in ballots postmarked on Nov 3rd can be accepted through November 6th.
  • All ballots received before Election Day will be secured in two locked vaults at Town Hall.
  • For more information on the upcoming election click here -> https://www.townofholliston.us/home/news/important-2020-election-information

Mr. Cronin expressed his confidence in the work of the Town Clerk, staff, and volunteers, calling the election process “a well-oiled machine.”

The Board approved and signed the State Election Warrant as read by the Clerk, Ben Sparrell.

Coronavirus Community Update

Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Michael Cassidy shared the following:

  • There have been no new cases since last Wednesday
  • There are still 16 active cases (most in congregant care facilities)
  • Holliston MAY move out of the Red status this Wednesday (Holliston is not currently able to move to Phase 3 Step 2 due to its red status)
  • Adams Middle School has been sanitized following a staff member’s positive COVID test this weekend. 
  • Resident Joan Levinsohn asked if the Town would consider a ‘drive-thru’ flu clinic.  Chief Cassidy responded that the same logistical issues of having the regular clinic are in play for such a venture and therefore unmanageable with the available resources.

CARES Act Programmatic Update

Chief Cassidy presented two requests to the Board for its approval for CARES Act / FEMA reimbursement:

  1. Hire a temporary part-time Crossing Guard for the new Woodland St crosswalk from the rail trail to the elementary schools.  $4,256.80 through December 30, 2020.  Approved
  2. Replace a door in the library lower level to allow outside pick-up of borrowed materials when the current tent is overwhelmed by the weather.  $4,408. Approved

Lowland Forum follow-up

Town Administrator presented his comprehensive summary from the recent Lowland Public Forum in a memo to the Board.  The entire document – including suggested action items is posted on the Town website ->

https://www.townofholliston.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif706/f/uploads/4._ta_memo_-_lowland_industrial_park_forum_-_9.30.20_w_attachment_a.pdf

Page 11 (below) of the report lists 13 action items the Town may pursue.  The Board voted to endorse actions 5, 7, 8, 11 as priority items.

More assistance will be sought from MassDOT to enact these ideas – and provide State funds for the initiatives.

Several Holliston citizens, and one Sherborn resident complimented and thanked the Board for this detailed summary of citizen input.  Sarah Baroud (below left) and Karen Apuzzo-Langton (below right) were some of the residents who praised the Board’s early actions on this long-standing issue.

The Board complimented Mr. Ahern for his hard work and research to put the document together.  Mr. Ahern, in turn thanked Chief Stone, Karen Sherman, Chris Canney, and the Traffic Advisory Committee for their help pulling together this comprehensive document.

Warrants – The Board approved the weekly warrant totaling – $991,850.21

Public Comment:

  • Mr. Sparrell:
    • November 1, 2020 begins the Winter overnight on street parking ban
    • Curbside leaf pick-up will take place during the week of November 30th.
  • Mrs. Hein – Reminder everyone to stay vigilant regarding the pandemic.
  • Mr. Cronin – There will be NO Select Board meeting next week.

Comments from Town Administrator

  • The Town Hall back steps have been repaired – the railing will be installed soon
  • Mr. Ahern has begun interviewing for a new Building Inspector
  • The Town Accountant has provided a 1st Quarter Financial Update for the Board and the FinCom
  • He expects to re-open the Special Town Meeting Warrant in late October

Town Meeting Warrant Development Discussion

Mr. Ahern provided an update on the current items included in Article 4 – Capital Budget.  Further action will be taken later in the month in preparation for the December 5, 2020 Special Town Meeting.

Board Business:

The Board approved the following:

  • Meeting Minutes of August 31, 2020
  • One Day all alcoholic beverage license Macaya/Trochez Wedding; October 8, 2020 Historical Society 3:30 to 9:30
  • Holliston Amended Aggregation Plan – Low-income language (approximately 156 customers)

 Other Business:

Mrs. Hein – Board of Health discussed Covanta waste transfer station.  The discussion will continue at tomorrow’s (tonight) meeting.  The Board of Health will also be discussing a Town approach for Halloween at tomorrow’s (tonight) meeting.

Mr. Ahern – Requested authorization to get a quote from an insurance vendor. The Board approved the request.

The Public portion of the meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm to begin an Executive Session.

Chris Cain

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