Select Board Meets on Tuesday, April 19,2022

The Holliston Select Board held its weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, as Monday the Commonwealth observed Patriots’ Day.  Chair Tina Hein called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

The first order of business was to invite Holliston Police Chief Matthew Stone to the table (below) to recognize several HPD personnel who brought three separate dangerous situations to safe conclusions for all involved.

Police Commendation Award: The following department members are receiving the Holliston Police Department Police Commendation Award for their actions on a missing juvenile call on March 11, 2022. These officers/dispatchers are being recognized for their competence, professionalism, initiative, persistence, teamwork, and overall excellent police work. Because of them, a missing 11-year-old juvenile was located safely and returned home to her family.

Sergeant Matthew Waugh; Sergeant Ken Belson; Detective Ciara Maguire; Detective Chris Avey; School Resource Officer Bryan Digiorgio; School Resource Officer Mike Woods; Officer John Loftus; and Dispatcher James Ray

Police Commendation Award: The following department members are receiving the Holliston Police Department Police Commendation Award for their actions on a domestic violence call on March 9, 2022. These officers / dispatchers are being recognized for their bravery, communication skills, professionalism, de-escalation tactics, and overall excellent police work. Because of them, a knife-wielding suspect that assaulted a family member was taken into custody without anyone being injured.

Sergeant Jon Remkus; Officer Dave Charette; Officer Charlie Grace; Officer Ryan Parent; and Dispatcher Renee Masiello

Distinguished Service Award: The following officers are receiving the Holliston Police Department Distinguished Service Award for their actions on a mental health call on September 15, 2021. These officers are being recognized for their courage, de-escalation skills, patrol tactics, restraint of using deadly force, and communication skills. Because of them, an armed individual experiencing a mental health episode was taken into police custody without anyone being injured.

Sergeant Jon Remkus and Officer Ethan Coakley

The Board recognized several of these officers / dispatchers who attended the meeting.  Chief Stone and all the HPD personnel demonstrate the highest level of service, and all deserve our recognition and appreciation.

Annual Town Meeting Warrant – May 9, 2022

  • FY2023 Operating & Capital Budgets Review – The Finance Committee voted at its April 12, 2022, meeting on its recommended budget. 
  • The Town website now has three separate FY 23 Budget documents posted, Town Administrator Recommended Budget, Select Board Budget, and the Finance Committee Recommended Budget – each is balanced in a different way -> FY 23 Proposed Budget Documents

Town Administrator Ahern led the Board through a detailed review of each of the 41 articles in the proposed May Town Meeting Warrant.  It was a thorough examination of the wording of each article.  10 – 12 Articles were identified as possible inclusion in a potential timesaving “Consent Agenda” = one vote on several articles at one time.

May 2022 Town Meeting Warrant (posted April 21, 2022).

  • Articles 9 and 10 will involve a Public Hearing at the Town Meeting, led by the Planning Board.
  • The Board re-opened the Warrant and took the following actions:
    • Approved the language changes in Article 38
    • Removed “Report of the Governance Committee” as Article 35
    • Approved adding the sum of $30,000 to Article 34
    • After much civil discourse, approved the amount of funds to be added to the Capital Expense Fund, Article 28 be $1,715,000.  The Board voted 2 – 1 in favor of making the change.

The Board closed the Warrant and authorized the Town Administrator to publish the final Warrant as soon as possible (see above).

Warrants: The Board approved two warrants: $315 to the Veterans’ District and $1,336,529.49 weekly expenses.

Public Comment:

  • Mr. Cronin: Referenced a message from the Governance Committee Chair, Sam Tyler indicating that the committee will continue a lengthy review of the Special Act of 1994 before making further recommendations. (Note: Periodic updates from the Governance Committee will be posted in the Holliston Reporter.)
  • Mr. Sparrell: None
  • Mrs. Hein: None
  • Public: None

Sustainability Update:  Sustainability Coordinator, Matt Zettek was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting, but Mrs. Hein pointed everyone’s attention to the information below.

Comments from Town Administrator:

  • 2021 Annual Town Report – is in the final draft form.  It will be finalized and posted on the Town Website soon.  Printed copies will be available at Town Hall, the Library, and at the May Town Meeting.

Board Business: The Select Board took the following actions:

  • Authorized HPS Superintendent, Dr. Susan Kustka to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for consideration of the Holliston High School.
  • Natural Gas Rate – Multi-Year Rate Options – Facilities Manager James Keast (below) has his eye on the balls in the air all the time.  This time his attention was drawn to the rising ball called natural gas prices.  The current natural gas fixed price (top line on chart below) will expire in September of this year. It is a volatile market from day-to-day. 

From Mr. Keast’s shopping around, he recommended to the Board the 29-month contract with Direct (highlighted in the chart above).  The Board voted to the recommended contract that has the lowest increase in monthly costs to the Town.  It was also noted that gas usage will be down for the warm months and several heat saving measures have been put into place to reduce usage during the colder months.

  • Cellular/Wireless Communications Lease Revision (405 Hopping Brook Road) Mr. Keast answered questions from the Board on this lease (similar to the recent agreement for the Jasper Hill water tank) that will bring $300 / month more into the Town coffers. The Board approved the new lease with T-Mobile.
  • Approved the minutes March 7, 2022, meeting:

Other Business:

  • Chair Hein let her colleagues know that she and Mr. Ahern would be meeting next week to write the Report of the Select Board for Town Meeting.  If they have input to that report, to share it soon.

The meeting adjourned at 9:07pm.

Chris Cain

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