Select Board Bids Farewell to Principal Assessor Kathryn Peirce
The May 2, 2022, meeting of the Holliston Select Board (SB) was called to order at 7:02pm by Chair Tina Hein. The delayed start was to allow the guest of honor, Kathryn Peirce, Principal Assessor, to join the meeting via Zoom. Mrs. Peirce is retiring in May (just a few more days) and the SB wanted to pay tribute to her many years of dedicated service.
Current members of the Board of Assessors (BoA) (Above L-R pasted together as each spoke separately: Peter Barbieri, Mary Greendale, and Jeffrey Marshall) spoke heartily about Kathy’s tenure as Holliston’s Principal Assessor. Mrs. Peirce was described as a person, in what could be a contentious role, who treated citizens with dignity and respect. Ms. Greendale noted that Kathy was “highly regarded state-wide and known as a reliable resource to other assessors” – especially on the new assessing software. Mr. Marshall, the newest member of the BoA, thanked Mrs. Peirce for teaching the “newbie” during the past eleven months.
Members of the SB shared their personal and the Town’s gratitude for 25 years of professionalism in the service of Holliston’s property owners. Mr. Cronin and Mrs. Peirce shared a laugh about the memories they couldn’t have recorded.
Finally, Kathy (below) got to speak. In humble fashion Mrs. Peirce thanked Holliston for the opportunity to serve. She was raised to value public service and found her niche in the Assessor’s office. Throughout her tenure she worked to reduce the intimidation of public officials through education and transparency.
Mrs. Peirce leaves the Holliston Assessor’s office in much better shape than she found it and has found a successor, Kevin Rudden, who will continue her good work – offering to remain available to answer questions.
She left the meeting saying, “Cinco de Mayo is my last day in the office, I’m looking forward to retirement, My husband is right here telling me my dinner is ready.” Best wishes for many happy healthy years earned through your exceptional service to Holliston.
Below, Town Administrator Travis Ahern displays the Town’s recently earned AAA “Stable” Bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, which Mrs. Peirce contributed greatly to that achievement.
COVID-19 Community update / ARPA Programmatic update
Chief Cassidy joined the others in congratulating and thanking Mrs. Peirce for her service and partnership.
Cassidy updated the SB on actions taken at the ARPA Steering Group meeting held earlier on May 2nd. The Steering Group voted unanimously to recommend three requests to the SB for ARPA funding:
- $105,000 to replace lost revenue into the Parks & Recreation Dept. revolving account.
- $100,000 to replace lost revenue into the School Bus revolving account.
- Up to $45,000 for technical assistance for Holliston’s Economic Development Committee (EDC)
The SB voted unanimously to allocate the Town’s ARPA funds as requested.
Chief Cassidy updated the SB on two recent reports he submitted: final CARES Act accounting, and the first ARPA annual report. No issues from the State / Federal government with either at this point.
Mr. Ahern will be publishing a 5 – 6-page report later this week, posted to the Town website, outlining the Town’s use of ARPA funds to date. More narrative than just the pie chart shown below. Also, Ahern noted that more ARPA funds MAY be coming from the State.
Annual Town Meeting Preparation – May 9, 2022
Chief Cassidy remained in the seat of honor to outline the logistics for next Monday’s Town Meeting:
- The meeting starts at 7:00pm in the High School Auditorium (with seating for more than 900 people)
- Childcare will be available – more details to come
- Expect a “more normal” experience
- Enter through the main doors (under the portico)
- Check-in at desk – receive voting slip
- Quorum of at least 100 voters is required to conduct the Town’s business
- Open seating for registered voters – no required spacing
- Masks are optional
- HCAT broadcasting
- ZOOM participation not allowed by State statute
Note: The Planning Board will be holding a Public Hearing at 6:30pm in the High School Library and via Zoom on the citizen’s petition article related to cannabis delivery.
Warrants: The SB approved the weekly expenses totaling -> $594,516.51
Public Comment:
- Mr. Cronin:
- HFD extinguished a 28-acre brush fire on Friday, April 29th.
- HCAT has recorded election candidate profiles – available for viewing now.
- The 2021 Town Annual Report will be available at Town Meeting and other Town facilities, soon to be on the Town’s website -> Town of Holliston MA |
- Mr. Sparrell:
- Envisioning Future Holliston meeting this Wednesday (available via Zoom)
- Mrs. Hein:
- Walk, Ride, Roll to School in Holliston this Wednesday – details posted in separate HR article.
- Public: None
Comments from Town Administrator:
- HCAT’s “Just Thinking” show features SB, TA, and School Committee processes.
- More “Ask the TA” questions are coming in
- MassDOT has included Holliston in the Winter Recovery Assistance Program (WRAP) with up to $300,000 for improving roadways / sidewalks related to weather (potholes, etc.)
- The sidewalk on the side of the Town Hall should be poured on Tuesday (weather permitting). The Church Green has been reseeded. The Town Hall septic project will be complete!
Review Preliminary Data from Cost-Benefit Analysis on Factory Pond Dam and Houghton Pond Dam
Mr. Ahern shared a sneak peek at the reports prepared by Parr engineers about costs related to: repairing, rehabbing, or removing each of the two Town-owned dams that are in poor condition. A complete report will be presented to the SB at a future meeting. The costs will be factored into the Town’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.
Board Business: The SB took the following actions:
- Approved the minutes of March 28, 2022, meeting.
- Accepted the donation of services from Holliston VFW, Leonard D. Chesmore Post 8507 to repair of Public Clock on Washington Street – the value of the donation to be submitted at a later date.
- Authorized Mr. Ahern to submit the MBTA Community Information Form, due May 2, 2022
- Authorized Mr. Ahern to apply for a $150,000 Mass. Trails Grant for Blair Square. Monies received from this grant and two others already submitted would diminish the amount drawn from the Town’s CPC funds.
- Approved and Signed the TWENTY documents related to General Obligation Bond (GOB) Notes for Water Treatment Plant at Well No. 5.
Treasurer/Collector Mary Bosquet, right, answers questions from the Board. Even with each SB member signing the 20 documents (left photo), it still took SB Clerk Mr. Cronin longer to read the very detailed motion outlining all the particulars (right photo). Below is an excerpt that shows the price tag. It is worth noting that our recent Bond rating will save about $150,000 during the life of the Bonds.
Water use fees will pay off the Notes related to this construction project.
An update on the construction of the plant on Central Street is posted on the Town’s website ->
- Approved a One-day Alcohol Beverage Permit May 21, 2022, 6-11pm in Upper Town Hall. Yes folks, now that the septic is in, the Upper Town Hall is open for rental – and apparently is doing a booming business.
Other Business: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:22pm. Hope to see everyone at Town Meeting – next Monday at 7:00pm!
