Following an Executive Session dealing with the Town Administrator’s employment contract and an Incident Response Plan, the Holliston Select Board’s public session began at 7:09pm.  Chair Ben Sparrell called the meeting to order and noted that again the Board had a “busy agenda” to tackle.  The Board did bounce around the agenda some to accommodate participant needs.  For the purposes of this report, the items will appear in the order presented in the agenda.

Town Policy Review & Updates (Human Resources & Information Technology)

Assistant Town Manager / Human Resources Director Kathleen Buckley (bottom right) and Information Technology Director Chris Meo (bottom left) present six updated or new policies that apply to Town government officials – elected or appointed.

The policies are outlined below.

The social media and code of conduct are new policies fashioned with guidance from the MA Municipal Association and the MA Interlocal Insurance Association.  Again, these policies relate to Town work behaviors, not personal social media accounts.  The Town Clerk supports these draft policies.

The Board approved policies 1 – 4 as listed above including any non-substantive changes.

The Board authorized the ATA to continue to “socialize” the social media and code of conduct policies with more Town departments and bring a next draft to a future Board meeting for action.

Discussion of Proposed “Sunset” Development on Jasper Hill Road

At a Town Meeting in the past the area of Jasper Hill had a zoning change to allow for senior housing.  J. Dennis Morgan, (below left) a real estate developer has purchased the 7-acre parcel and presented conceptual designs to the Board.  Attorney Peter Barbieri (bottom right) represents Mr. Morgan and provided a rough outline of the plan (seen in the background below)

Mr. Morgan plans a 20-unit condominium development of single-family dwellings.  He used the new development in Sherborn along route 27 as an example of this type of housing complex.  This would be a 55+ age community with homes in the 2,300 square foot range at a price point of $800,000.

Traffic would enter and exit the complex via an access road leading up from the Town Hall parking lot.  Much of the discussion centered around safe access to the complex and safety for those who park in the Town Hall lot.  The preliminary design shows a 24-foot-wide access road which would be maintained by the condominium association.

Professional Engineer Paul Saulnier (below top left) outlined the projected traffic impacts.  Approximately 150 vehicle trips / day (avg. 7 – 8 / hour) would come from / to the complex.  Some changes along the existing Jasper Hill Road would improve sight lines.  Then he got into his sweet spot – septic.  There is adequate drainage to handle the projected septic needs.  Today’s advanced septic technology would allow drainage fields to run through the existing hilltop woodlands without removing many trees.

Each member of the Board expressed their support for the proposed development.  The biggest concern is vehicle and pedestrian safety in the parking lot behind Town Hall.  The developer expressed his commitment to work with the Town to find the best outcome. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Barbieri are preparing the Special Permit request to go before the Planning Board and then on to the Conservation Commission (some wetlands on the property).

Public Comment: None by any Board member or the Public

COVID-19 Community update / ARPA Programmatic update / CARES Act Close Out

Fire Chief Michael Cassidy (back to camera) discussed the following with the Board:

• The Town has received many COVID test kits, and he proposed distributing them out through the earlier distribution sites and one new outlet.
  • The Holliston Health Department,
  • The Holliston Pantry Shelf,
  • The Holliston Senior Center, and newly added
  • Holliston Town employees
• The BA 5 Omicron variant is the most virulent strain that is also highly transmissible.  Self-test kits are essential in confirming any symptoms.
• The Board approved Cassidy’s request to authorize Mr. Sparrell, as Select Board Chair, to sign the cover letter accompanying the Town’s CARES Act close out report that shows how the Town spent its $1.3 million allotment.

Mr. Ahern added that there is a June 30, 2022, update of how the Town has allocated its $4.45 million grant.  The detailed breakdown can be found here -> https://www.townofholliston.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif706/f/uploads/arpa_summary_-_june_30_2022_0.pdf

Mr. Cronin suggested that it is no longer a good use of Chief Cassidy’s time to track / post the COVID case count produced by the MA Dept Public Health.  With so many other testing avenues and data sources the data have become less meaningful. Cronin recommended a more informal method of alerting the Board / citizens about trends.  This is in line with the State that recently announced it was reducing the frequency of reporting COVID stats.  For Holliston Reporter readers, that means the scrolling tally will soon disappear.  The link to the Town’s COVID reporting page where the Chief’s future updates will be found will still be on the HR Home page.

Warrants: The Board approved two warrants; FY 22 – $947,385.35 and FY 23 – $329,105.99

Pole Hearing – Chamberlain Street

The Public Hearing regarding the addition of two new poles to service the three new homes in “Chamberlain Pines” was opened at 7:47pm.  The diagram below shows where the new poles would be added.

Mr. Don Vonner (bottom right), representing Verizon, outlined the proposed work.  Ms. AnnMarie Osmer (below left) lives at 85 Chamberlain – directly opposite the Chamberlain Pines development – with a panoramic view from her home of the proposed additional poles.  She asked if two poles were necessary.  Also, could the utilities be run underground to the new homes thereby eliminating the need for more poles.  Ms. Osmer also expressed concern about the speed of vehicles as they round the curve along the pole line and the safety hazard presented by more poles.  Mr. Vonner noted that the poles are set back 12 feet from the edge of the roadway.

Given the citizen questions, the Board asked Mr. Vonner to see what alternative solutions can be proposed to reduce the negative impact to Ms. Osmer’s view.  Mr. Cronin also asked Mr. Vonner to bring the Town’s dissatisfaction with the number of “double poles” all around town.  At 8:08 the Board voted to continue the Public Hearing until more information is available from the applicants.

Comments from Town Administrator:  Mr. Ahern shared the following with the Board:

• Reminded everyone of the upcoming Public Forums -> https://www.townofholliston.us/home/news/upcoming-select-board-community-forums-in-julyaugust
• Related to Public participation – the current provision to “speak” via Zoom at public meetings expires this Friday, July 15, 2022.  Most legislators are confident that some extension will be enacted before next Monday’s Select Board meeting with a Public Forum on the HFD Organization Evaluation completed by Municipal Resources, Inc.
• No update on when the Washington Street repaving project will begin
• The new Central Street water filtration plant is progressing on schedule – operator training is scheduled to begin later this week!

Select Board FY2023 Goals & Liaison Assignments

• Mrs. Hein’s Priorities: (each with several goals aligned)
  • Develop a professional / respectful governance culture that is focused on safety
  • Expand opportunities and access to ALL who live, work, or visit Holliston
• Mr. Cronin:
  • Build the Town’s infrastructure
  • Generate new business growth (“even if he has to break some eggs”)
• Mr. Sparrell:
  • Develop a training manual for the Select Board roles / members
  • Bring more people into Town Meeting – make it a “community event”
  • Explore different ways for the Board to communicate out to the community
  • Use the Envisioning Future Holliston survey data as a tool to lead to a vision statement

Each Board member agreed to remain the liaison to the Board / Committee they were aligned to last year to provide continuity in moving projects and programs forward.

Board Business: The Board took the following actions:

• Approved two FY 22 Year-End Transfers totaling $1,932
• Appointed the following to Cultural Council:
  • Pat Fuller (term expiring June 30, 2025),
  • Tom Norton (term expiring June 30, 2025),
  • Christine Reynolds (term expiring June 2025)
  • Jon Neuburger (term expiring June 30, 2024),
  • Benjamin Keehn (term expiring June 30, 2023)
• Appointed Liz Dembitzer to Zoning Board of Appeals, from associate member, (term expiring June 30, 2025)
• Appointed Dona Lee Walsh and Justine Grassey, Animal Control Officers (term expiring June 2023)
• Approved minutes of the May 31, 2022, and June 6, 2022, meetings
• Approved a One-day Alcoholic Beverage license for Crafted July 16, 2022, For their Summer Fest, 45 Chestnut Street 1 to 5 p.m. at the Boston Honey Company
• Approved a One-day Alcoholic Beverage license for Crafted July 23, 2022, for the Food truck & Music. 258 Norfolk Street, 1 to 4 p.m. at Arcadian Farm
• Accepted a $100 donation to the Senior Center from the Howe Family
• Accepted the following Lions’ Club Donations: Presented by Lion Debbie Kerrigan (below)

• Senior Support Foundation; $2,000.
• Tax Relief $1,000.
• Friends of the Holliston Library $500.00

Ms. Kerrigan pointed out that all funds raised by the Lions are turned back as donations to worthy causes.  Check out the Lions website to find out how to join this active civic group. The Board thanked the Lions for their good work.  Don’t forget the Lions’ Carnival starts this Wednesday – fireworks Saturday night at 10:00pm.

Other Business:

Mrs. Hein noted in the ARPA June 30, 2022, report that some areas may require re-allocation of funds to support the community’s needs.

The meeting adjourned at 9:36pm.