The Holliston Select Board convened its weekly meeting on Monday, December 12, 2022, at 6:30pm.  The earlier start allowed for adequate time to handle an “exciting” agenda focused largely on Holliston’s Public Safety departments.

Before getting into the discussions surrounding Public Safety, the Board met Holliston’s new Finance Director – Treasurer Collector who will start on January 3, 2023.  The organization chart below illustrates how the Finance Director position joins with the Town’s other financial departments (Assessor and Treasurer) to build what Town Administrator Ahern described as “very strong financial team.”

Christopher Heymanns (below) comes to Holliston after serving three years in a similar role in Hopkinton.

Mr. Heymann’s LinkedIn profile includes the following (among other factoids):

• 13+ years of analytical and problem-solving experience in fast paced environments with tight deadlines.
• Extensive financial analysis, accounting, reconciliation, and reporting experience.
• Extensive relationship management experience.
• Strong communication and management skills; able to effectively manage a team while also maintaining rapport, sharing knowledge, and promoting a healthy workplace environment.

Mr. Heymanns answered questions from the Board and mentioned that he was attracted to this job because of the strong financial footing the Town has, and he wants to add his investment experience to the mix.  On a personal note, his best round of golf was played here in Holliston.  He characterized himself as calm, approachable, and able to get along with others.  He demonstrated a comfortable demeanor with an appropriate use of humor.

The Board welcomed him to town and voted unanimously to Appoint Mr. Heymanns as the custodian of the Tax Title effective January 3, 2023.

Next up was a discussion on the future of Public Safety dispatching for the Town.  Mr. Ahern teed up the discussion by reviewing the options available to the Town going forward. 

Mr. Ahern began with the current structure for Holliston’s Police and Fire dispatch.

Holliston was reviewed by the Collins Center, with other neighboring communities, for the feasibility of creating a new Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC).  The State did not authorize a new RECC but did refer the Town to existing RECCs.

Moving forward, the three choices for Holliston are outlined below.

Town Administrator Ahern, HFD Chief Cassidy, and HPD Chief Stone visited three RECCs earlier this year.  Their due diligence suggested that the Holbrook RECC provides a level of service that would give Holliston residents excellent emergency dispatch services.  Below, Holbrook Communications Director Stephen Hooke (next to Chief Cassidy) and Deputy Communications Director Lauren Mielke (next to Chief Stone) made a presentation using the slides that follow to provide an overview of the type and quality of emergency communications provided by the Holbrook RECC.

Each of the four groups is staffed by Certified Emergency Telecommunicators.

Current and pending communities / entities supported by the Holbrook RECC are listed below.

Mr. Hooke pointed out that the Holbrook RECC uses its own: microwave, fiber, and radio networks to provide uninterrupted emergency communications.  The installation of networks and communication hardware / radios are paid for through grant funding of the RECC – no cost to the town for the initial setup.  Grants come from the State 9-1-1 fund which is derived from a $1.50 / month surcharge on phone bills.

Below the three forms of communications are illustrated by the different symbols and lines.

The Board was favorably impressed with presentation and the responses to their questions.

Mr. Hooke estimated that the Town’s annual cost for the RECC’s service could be about $300,000 – substantially less than the current police / fire dispatch budget.  The actual amount would be dependent on ongoing development grant funding.

The Director and Deputy Director (shown below outside their 6,000 square foot call center) provided the Board with their contact information for any follow up questions, etc.

Several members of the public voiced their support for this model of emergency dispatch service: Chris Pierce, Liz Theiler, Brian Grace (who worked in a community with a similar model).

Correction: Robin Gossels was not in favor of the move.

The Chiefs and the Board expressed their intention to support Holliston’s dedicated dispatchers through the transition and Mr. Hooke encouraged Holliston’s dispatchers to join the RECC staff if / when the transition is complete.  The starting pay was mentioned: $69,000 / year.

The Board unanimously approved the draft Inter-Municipal Agreement (IMA) for Holbrook RECC Dispatch Services subject to review by each town’s counsel.

The process of moving to this service model will take several months at least to complete and is dependent on grant funding.

Quarterly Update on MRI Recommendations for Fire & EMS (Ambulance) Operations

HFD Chief Cassidy returned to the table to provide a status update related to the MRI report recommendations.

• Previous presentation with MRI Recommendations and Primary/Secondary Staff Assignments: MRI Fire / EMS Report

Below are the slides the Chief used to update the Board on four components of MRI report.

In all areas involving personnel, the recruiting and retention of trained staff is exceedingly difficult.  Competition in the market is very high and the recent pay scale changes have yet to yield more qualified applicants.

Chief Cassidy reported that the most recent APCO audit received praise from the auditor.

Supply chain delays continue related to delivery of life / safety equipment.  Things that took days to deliver now take weeks or months.  Mr. Cronin encouraged the Chief to send a letter to the State raising this issue as a public safety imperative.

The Chief is working with HR to develop appropriate Auxiliary roles in the Fire and EMS services to retain experienced, but retired personnel in non-operational roles.

The Town’s provisional BLS EMS license expires at the end of this month.  Recently, an unannounced follow up inspection was completed by the Office of Emergency Management Services (OEMS).  Cassidy reported that thanks to the hard work of many volunteers in the department the paperwork needed was ready when the inspectors arrived.  There are three possible results of the inspection: a 1-year BLS license, another (and last) 6-month provisional, or an Order to Correct.  The Chief will pass along the inspection’s findings as soon as he hears.

Chief Cassidy took the opportunity to make some important clarifications.  He encouraged citizens to look to HPD and HFD communications as the source of facts related to emergency incidents in town.  He commended HFD personnel who have shown restraint by not engaging in the swirl often generated in social media.

Specifically, the three accidents that happened on or near Highland Street were cited as examples of misleading rumors.  He went on to thank the Board for correcting misstatements made at previous meetings.  Below are two definitions that seem to be misused by the public.

Not unlike DPW Director Sean Reese last week, Chief Cassidy spent several minutes appreciating the good work and support of the many people listed above.

The Board expressed its thanks and full support of the work that Chief Cassidy has and will do to evolve Holliston Fire.

Public Comment:

• Mrs. Hein: Reminded all about the Winter Parking Ban – especially during Sunday night’s snow
• Mr. Cronin: None
• Mr. Sparrell: None
• Public:  Liz Theiler e-mailed in some questions related to Fire / EMS personnel practices.

Warrant(s): The Board approved the weekly warrants totaling -> $1,844,012.53

Comments from Town Administrator: Mr. Ahern provide the following updates:

• Following last week’s Solar Project update a new web page was created to house all related information.  https://www.townofholliston.us/select-board/pages/marshall-street-solar-project
• Below is the artist’s rendering of the street view of the Town’s solar array on Marshall Street.

• A letter will go out to Town farms asking for members of the rechartered Ag Comm (Farms Day will be managed by Town staff not the AgComm).
• A tree by-law (part of the Tree City USA application) is being drafted with Town Planner Karen Sherman – action likely at the May 2023 Town Meeting.

Board Business:

• Appointed the following through June 30, 2023
  • EMT-Paramedic Jaime Eastman
  • EMT Mary Katherine Ward
  • EMT Ryan Jubb
  • EMT Regan Flynn

Other Business: The Board unanimously voted Mr. Cronin as the Select Board’s representative on the OPEB Trust Board.

The meeting adjourned at 9:19pm – in time to catch the second half of the Patriot’s game.