The Holliston Select Board was all smiles as Chair Tina Hein called the June 14, 2021 meeting to order.  The first item of business was to receive an update on the Town’s solar installation.

Marshall Street – Solar Project update

Rennie Friedman (above left) of Sol Systems, the company engaged to develop the Solar panel array on the former Town landfill, began with exciting news.  Sol Systems awarded two $2,500 scholarships to Holliston High School students.  This year’s recipients were Akshara Shankar and Emily Rivera.  Congratulations to these deserving students.

Beth Greenblatt (above right) of Beacon Integrated Solutions, the Town’s consultant managing the project provided the Board with the update that follows.

Greenblatt began by reviewing the energy and financial gains produced over the period of the 25 year lease with Sol Systems.

The presentation brought to light a required technical review that was previously expected to be minor – see the update from January 2021 -> https://hollistonreporter.com/2021/01/let-the-sun-shine-and-the-electricity-flow/

The technical review is now to be a significant detailed study that should last 9 – 12 months.  Board Member John Cronin voiced frustration and dismay that this turn of events happened and that this review impacts the ultimate delivery of both the energy and the funds from the project.

Greenblatt pointed out that the State has encouraged ‘distributed generation’ (solar, wind, etc.).  The electrical infrastructure / grid is becoming congested with additional power flowing and more testing is required to ensure the grid can handle the increase.  The revised timeline is below.

The Board thanked Mr. Friedman and Ms. Greenblatt for their update and encouraged them to seek relief from the DPUC to have a less strenuous (shorter) review of this project’s impact.  The Board also authorized to write to Senator Spilka and Representative Dykema expressing the Town’s displeasure at the Utility’s bureaucratic approach.

Coronavirus Community update

Fire Chief Michael Cassidy delivered what turned out to be his last weekly update on the COVID pandemic.

• No new cases reported in the past week
• Only 1 active case
• 4^th week in the Gray on the state map
• Vaccination numbers continue to rise in Holliston – yes, in some cases above 100%!
• Although the State of Emergency ends, the virus remains – stay vigilant.

83% of 12 – 15 year-olds; >100% of 16 – 19 year-olds.  Greater than 100% is achieved because the DPH uses census data as the denominator and actual counts of people vaccinated as the numerator.  Two numbers that come from different sources at different times.  And, approximately 14% of Holliston’s residents are aged 0 -11 and not eligible keeping the 0-19 percentage down.

CARES Act / ARPA Programmatic update

The Board approved the following request from the Council on Aging.

At a recent webinar, Chief Cassidy learned of a very recent change in CARES Act spending.  Now all spending should be completed by October 29, 2021.  Any unused funds will be returned to the Commonwealth for use on other COVID-related expenses.  Chief Cassidy and Mr. Ahern will be working diligently to ensure that Holliston does not squander any of our $1.3 million allocation before the deadline.

Next up was news from the American Rescue Plan Act.  Holliston must notify the State that the Town wants to receive its allotment of ARPA funds – by June 27, 2021.  The Board authorized the Chair to sign two ARPA-related documents.  Also, the Board authorized Mr. Ahern to complete the on-line ARPA application before June 27^th.

At midnight, Monday June 14, 2021 the Governor’s Executive actions allowing participation in meetings via Zoom ends.  There is legislation on Beacon Hill to extend the provisions – perhaps to December 15, 2021.  IF the legislature and Governor get that Bill passed / signed by midnight, participation via Zoom continues.  If NOT, effective Tuesday, June 15, 2021 all meetings must take place in person.  In order for the public to participate in those meetings, they must be present OR have sent a message to the Board / Committee before the meeting.  You might say, “how come I can view meetings on HCAT?”  The key word there is VIEW – basically watch but no real time participation / contribution.  Stay tuned to see IF the legislature extends remote participation.

Finally, after 456 days of Holliston’s Emergency Declaration, the Board voted to rescind the Emergency Declaration issued March 16, 2020.  The Board praised Chief Cassidy for his exceptional work during the emergency.  Chief Cassidy thanked Town personnel and citizens for doing “great work as a community.”  Chair Hein echoed Cassidy’s praise for citizens by saying that she was “very proud of our community.”  Cassidy plans to prepare an After Action Review (AAR) within the next 45 days to memorialize what worked and what could be improved next time (not soon!)  We wish Chief Cassidy many restful nights of well-deserved sleep – unless there’s a fire.

Warrants: The weekly warrant totaling $1,583,824.70 was approved.

Public Comment:

Mr. Cronin: Congratulated Mrs. Hein on being named a 2021 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Mr. Sparrell: Added his congratulations on her well-deserved recognition.

Mrs. Hein: Was speechless.  (Flowers and a card were delivered to Mrs. Hein by Mr. Ahern on behalf of someone not at the meeting.)

Public: Sarah Baroud of Lowland Street asked for an update on the HCVE recently approved by MassDOT.  Mr. Ahern alerted Ms. Baroud to a planned update from HPD Chief Matthew Stone at next Monday’s Select Board meeting.

Comments from Town Administrator:  In addition to the response above, Mr. Ahern shared:

• The 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan has been updated – it now covers FY ’22 – FY ‘26
• The entire 39-page document will be posted on the Town Links section of the Town website
• He highlighted 8 projects that have recently been approved, funded, and begun that will have capital implications during the next five years.
• The Board will schedule a Public Hearing in July to discuss the 9 Green St. project.
• The State’s Division of Local Services, Technical Assistance Bureau has completed interviews and document collection from Town officials as part of its review of Holliston’s governmental structure and operations.  Their report is expected in late summer. FYI, the last such review was completed in 1998.

Select Board liaison assignments:

• The Board members aligned themselves as liaisons with over 60 different Town departments and committees for the coming year.  At the end of the review, the Board approved the resulting color-coded chart prepared by Administrator Ahern.

Board Business:

• Appointed Eilish Corey to the Conservation Commission; 3-year term through 6/2024.
• Approved the Listing of FY ‘22 appointments which will posted on the Town’s website.  Vacancies are noted on the listing – volunteers sought to fill empty seats. Here is the file to download ->

• Approved minute of the May 17, 2021, and May 24, 2021 meetings
• Approved the Regulatory Agreement document for 172 Concord Street
• Approved the proposed FY 22 meeting schedule from July to December 2021
• Approved Common Victualler’s license and waiver of fees for the Lions Club Carnival July 7,8,9,10^th.
• Signed the approved Entertainment License for the Farmers Market

Other Business:

Mr. Cronin reminded everyone that Holliston’s Hazardous Waste recycling day is Saturday, July 10, 2021 at R.A.M.S. from 8 am to Noon.

Mrs. Hein encouraged everyone to get out to the opening day of the Holliston Farmer’s Market this Sunday from 9 – 1 at Blair Square. What an excellent reason to get out after 14 months of seclusion.  And, Happy Father’s Day!

Mr. Ahern brought the proceedings back to earth by requesting permission (on behalf of Matt Zettek) to insert a MetroWest Solar + Clean Energy Challenge flyer in the next round of Tax bills.  The Board approved the request, provided the energy vendors were paying for the flyers.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.