The January 19, 2021 Holliston Select Board meeting began at 6:30 with a call to order by Chair John Cronin.

First up was the weekly COVID-19 status from Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Michael Cassidy.  The Chief really switched things up this week and attended remotely.

Cassidy presented the following information to the Board:

• The temporary gathering restrictions are set to expire at noon on Sunday, January 24^th – UNLESS extended again.
• The public health measures (mask, washing, distance) are still effective with the new variant strain of the coronavirus.
• The weekly numbers are below.

• The positivity rate of 6.39 % keeps Holliston in the Red category (along with many neighboring towns/cities).
• The number of tests administered in the past two weeks increased which does tend to reduce the positivity rate.

A new graphic representation (below) shows a ‘you are here’ look at Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout.  The Chief reminded everyone that the eligible groups are handled on a rolling basis over a period or weeks.

CARES Act Programmatic update – There were no specific CARES Act funding requests for the Board action.  Chief Cassidy did provide an update (below) on the recent stimulus package.  More guidance is needed on how this latest aid will be used.  He also pointed out that the Town’s remaining funds from the original CARES Act legislation are still available (part of the Town Administrator’s update later in this article).

Warrants: The Board approved the weekly warrant of $2,444,882.64.

Public Comment:

• Mr. Sparrell:
  • There will be a public forum (virtual) on February 3, 2021 for public input regarding the Blair Square renovation plan.  There will be a portal on the Town website, similar to the Front Street pilot program, to gather public comment about the proposed plan.  The Blair Square committee is working toward finalizing the plan and costs in preparation for the May Town Meeting.
• Mrs. Hein: None
• Mr. Cronin:
  • The Board sends it condolences to the family and friends of the Winter Street resident and pets that perished in Monday night’s fire.  The Holliston First Responders are to be commended for their work on the fire, which is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.
• Public: None

Front Street Forum to discuss the one-way traffic pattern pilot (in effect through April 1, 2021)

There were several members of the community that gave input during the public discussion of the Front Street traffic / parking pilot.  Twenty-nine people provided input via the portal on the Town website. Their suggestions are captured below.

Much of the conversation from residents in the area – and beyond – centered around restructuring the street and space to make it similar to other parks in Holliston.  Mrs. Hein thinks of the other Town parks as “jewels for our community.”  Ideas about using less of the trail green space for parking and delineating parking on Front St. to mirror the new look behind Casey’s Crossing. Perhaps the triangle between Front and Winthrop streets can become a green space.  The conversation will continue. 

Mrs. Hein sees four decisions that should be made:

1. Make the one-way traffic on Front St permanent
2. Should the one-way flow extend to Exchange Street
3. Add more parking along Front Street
4. Identify ‘beautification champions’ to make the ‘jewel’ sparkle

Comments from Town Administrator (“Mid-Year Update”)

Mr. Ahern shared a look back at his first 6 months as Holliston’s Town Administrator along with what’s ahead in the coming months.  The update was very thorough.  It is clear that Mr. Ahern has been a tremendous addition to Holliston’s Town government.

I’ve captured only some of his report here.  Update The entire update can be viewed here -> https://www.townofholliston.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif706/f/uploads/town_administrator_-_mid_year_review_v3.pdf

FY2022 Budget & Revenue Preparation and Review – The Board approved the following level services FY 22 budget proposals:

• Solid Waste; $1,318,183
• Street Lighting; $67,470
• Celebrations; $2,000
• Rail Trail; $1,000
• Sealer of Weights & Measures; $0 (Paid by revenue from Sealing)
• Liability Insurance; $289,798
• Sustainability; $50,000
• Economic Development Committee; $14,067

Board Business – The Board approved the following:

• Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2020, December 28, 2020, January 4, 2021

Other Business:

• Mrs. Hein:
  • She met with the Safe Routes to School Task Force and will be requesting funding at Town Meeting for a new pedestrian crossing beacon at the Woodland St crosswalk
  • Checked in with Mr. Ahern about legal workshops available through the Town Counsel’s law firm.

Mr. Cronin reminded everyone that there is a presentation regarding the Marshall Street Solar project THIS Thursday at 6:30pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 pm.