A fairly full house of participants joined the Monday, March 14, 2022, Select Board – either in the conference room or online.  Chair Tina Hein called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. 

Prior to the arrival of Senate President Karen Spilka, the Board received two updates.

Bobby Blair (below) shared plans for the 2022 Farmers’ Market and provided a brief recap of 2021’s market.  Rain was not the farmers’ friend in 2021.  Even with frequent dampness on market day, the market netted $3,000.  $2,000 was donated to the Community Farm and the remainder will be used to cover 2022 start-up costs.

Blair outlined changes for the 2022 season.  The market will start two weeks earlier on June 5, 2022 and end one week earlier in October (the 2^nd?).  The market will run from 9:30 – 1:00 every Sunday with many of last year’s vendors looking forward to being on hand this year.  Musical entertainment is planned from 10 – Noon.  Musicians / singers are wanted.  If interested in performing, contact Bobby Blair 508.429.6763 mudvillemayor@gmail.com

The Board expressed its enthusiastic support for the second season of Holliston’s Farmers’ Market. Mr. Blair will return to a future meeting to apply for the annual entertainment license.

Next up was Kris Westland, Chair of the Community Farm Advisory Committee (below).

Ms. Westland shared a status update on projects that have been completed, are in process, or on the drawing board.  The list appears below.

The Board asked how the Community Farm and Agricultural Commission interact.  Each group has a separate focus, with the Farm Committee are the stewards for the Town-owned farmland on Rogers Rd.  The Ag Comm promotes the right to farm charter supporting commercial farms.  The Board wants to meet with the Ag Comm, in the near future, to clarify these complementary entities roles and responsibilities.

At this point Senator Spilka arrived – tied up in the increasing commuter traffic between Beacon Hill and Holliston.

The Senator (below) started by thanking the members of the Select Board, School Committee, and Finance Committee for their leadership and partnership with the Senator’s office. Spilka also thanked her legislative partner, Carolyn Dykema, for her many years of service to district 8.

The Senator had twelve pages of notes pertaining to State legislation and funding that could / would positively impact Holliston.  Some legislation is in the pipeline, some funding is coming from federal grants, and the State’s increased revenues, will likely lead to additional funding in FY 22.

Some highlights:

• MA is guaranteed $9 billion over five years of federal dollars for infrastructure
• Chapter 90 funding for FY 23 will likely be about $500,000
• Holliston schools still have access to nearly $700,000 in grant funding
• Mental Health legislation is Senator Spilka’s top priority.  Legislation now in process would equate mental health check-ups with physical health check-ups – annual exams.  She wants to use $400 million of the State’s ARPA funds to transform mental health care in MA.
• Funds should directed to schools to provide support for social and emotional learning upon return to the classroom after isolation.
• Prescription drug legislation has been proposed to lower costs, increase access, and make pharmaceutical company’s pricing more transparent.  For example, it would cap insulin cost to $35 / month.
• The “Greening of Massachusetts” is on the Senator’s to do list.
• A state roadmap to net zero for MA by 2050 was passed into law last spring.  A second bill will be introduced around Earth Day this year expand the roadmap details.
• Several earmarks directed at Holliston (previously reported) are: $650,000 for water / sewer infrastructure, $100,000 for Goodwill Park, $25,000 to HDAAC, and $30,000 towards the Veterans’ Monument being installed near Blair Square.
• State support to Holliston will likely increase in FY 23 (which is included in Mr. Ahern’s FY23 budget planning).
• The State’s Rainy-Day Fund is in excess of $4 billion – a strong financial position.
• Spilka concluded by thanking the Town for being so specific in its financial and legislative requests to her office.

Following the Senator’s remarks the Board, School and Finance Committees had the chance to ask questions.

Mr. Cronin noted the excellent turn out to hear the presentation, calling Monday night’s session, “Must See TV.”  He thanked the Senator, and her staff, for supporting Holliston – especially with the absence of Carolyn Dykema.  He appreciated her preparation and time and had really answered his questions in her update.  Others on the Board echoed Mr. Cronin’s compliments to the Senator.

School Committee Chair Cynthia Listewnik (below) thanked the Senator for her time and attention in support of Holliston Public Schools.  School Superintendent, Dr. Susan Kustka (just off camera) pointed out that Holliston schools were actively increasing focus on Social Emotional Learning following two years of disrupted education and expressed her appreciation that the Senator had the same priority as HPS.

Finance Committee Chair, Dr. Ken Szajda, (above left) had no questions about the financial information.  He asked the Senator to support making permanent the changes in the Open Meeting Law (OML)that allow remote participation.  Remote participation allows greater participation, more transparency, and a full recording for viewing by anyone – better than minutes.  He alluded to the absence of coverage of FinCom meetings by “local online news outlets,” making public direct access to meetings even more important.

FinCom member Jay Robinson (above back to camera) seconded Dr. Szajda’s request for making permanent the change to allow remote participation.  He added that volunteer members of committees may be away on business and could connect remotely to achieve a quorum.  Childcare needs are reduced as parents can “Zoom” into meetings.

Mr. Robinson had a personal request to the Senator in the area of health care / insurance.  He found that during COVID there were insurance changes to allow tele-health / therapies.  Some of those waivers have expired and he would hope that legislation could be enacted to make those changes permanent.

The Senator pointed out that some good things have come out of the pandemic.  Remote meetings as a permanent part of the OML is one of those good things that have improved our lives and local governments.

The Board invited the Senator to Holliston’s 300^th in 2024.

The Senator thanked Dennis Giambetti (seen above with Mrs. Listewnik) and Momina Haidra from her staff for being at the meeting and supporting Holliston.

Warrants: The Board approved the weekly warrant totaling – > $2,311,764.67

Public Comment:

• Mr. Cronin: Congratulated Mrs. Hein’s daughter Anna on her swim meet victory
• Mr. Sparrell:
  • The CPC meets Wednesday to review the Blair Square request and Town cemeteries improvements
  • Envision Future Holliston meets Wednesday to plan its second survey.
• Mrs. Hein: 
  • Reminded residents that a discussion on Social Emotional Learning and Equity will be held next Tuesday – See details here -> [Schools March 22nd Web meeting]
• Public: None

FY2023 Budget Review & Deliberation – Operating & Capital

Mr. Ahern once again shared the current version of the Omnibus budget – including the department-by-department detail and narrative for each line item.  The document can be viewed here – > FY 23 Omnibus Budget – March 4th version

The Board expressed frustration that in order to balance the budget, Mr. Ahern needed to remove two important items that are needed to provide “level service” to the Town: a 26^th police officer and a Grounds Division within DPW.  Without a clearer picture of what is in the School Committee recommended budget that will be voted on at this Thursday’s meeting, Mr. Ahern is not sure what are all the options to balance the budget with the two priorities mentioned above.  The Board’s discussion and action will take place at next Monday’s meeting.

Capital budget items for the May Town Meeting are listed below.  The Board asked that the School Committee present their capital requests (technology and cameras) to the Board prior to being included in the Warrant.

Comments from Town Administrator:

• Mr. Ahern will be submitting the Town’s application for the State’s “One Stop for Growth” grant program by this Friday’s deadline.
• There are vacancies on elected Boards / Committees with no candidates yet for the May 24, 2022.  The Holliston Reporter will have an update in the next “Civics Sunday.”
• Warrant for May 9, 2022, Annual Town Meeting closes March 21, 2022, at 4pm.   Citizen petitions need to be in by the deadline.
• Mr. Ahern shared the preliminary list of Warrant articles (below).

Articles numbered 22, 23, 24, and 26 need Select Board action to be sent back to the Planning Board (PB) to be finalized for the Warrant.  The Board approved sending these draft articles to the PB so that Public Hearing can be held by the PB on April 14, 2022.

Board Business:

• Accepted a $500 donation to the Parks & Recreation department from Middlesex Savings Bank.
• Accepted the VFW Memorial Day Committee appointments, Ronald Turcotte, Stanley Feinberg, and Charles Jacobs expires June 2022.
• Approved signing on to a letter, drafted by Arlington and co-signed by other towns, to Dept of Energy Resources (DOER) regarding proposed Stretch Code changes.

Sustainability Coordinator Matt Zettek (below left) and environmental advocates Joan Levinsohn and Rich Rosenberry (below right) spoke in support of the letter as drafted – that request DOER set stringent standards – if we are to meet Massachusett’s goal of net zero by 2050.  Mr. Cronin asked how the increased costs for consumers to transition to greener energy will be offset by State grants (similar to MassSave now).  Ms. Levinsohn and Mr. Rosenberry pointed to the 30-year transition period and that likely heating / cooling equipment will wear out and when it is time to replace, the homeowner moves to a greener technology – AND the costs from climate change around the world are reduced.

• Approved the transfer of funds from Agriculture Commission to Golf Course Advisory Committee for management of Community Garden Plots at Pinecrest ($2,610)
• Approved the minutes of the February 14, 2022, meeting.
• Appointed Georgia Papavasiliou a full Member of the Council on Aging with her term ending June 2023.

Other Business:

• Mr. Cronin asked Mr. Ahern to draft a role description for a “facilitator” within the Town staff to work with local businesses, businesses looking to move into Holliston, and answer business related questions.
• Mrs. Hein noted that with warm weather comes mosquitos.  Last year the Board planned to revisit the “opt-out” of the regional mosquito control spraying.  Mr. Ahern put it on a future agenda.

At 10:02 pm the Board adjourned to Executive Session – not returning to open session. Reason two (2) with respect to strategy for negotiations with non-union personnel.