The Holliston Select Board held its weekly meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023 (otherwise known as Valentine’s Day eve).  Chair Ben Sparrell called the meeting to order at 7:00pm sharp. The studious looks below indicate the level of attention to detail related to the scheduled proposed FY 24 budgets.

FY2024 Budget Reviews:

• Town Accountant (01135): $195,708 (+4.09%)

Town Accountant Sharon Emerick presented the budget as one her last official acts as our Accountant.  The members of the Board thanked her for her 8-years of service and wished her well in the future.

• Board of Assessors (01141) – The Board of Assessors budget is not reviewed by the Select Board but rather presented as a basis for discussion.  Principal Assessor Kevin Rudden and Board of Assessors Chair Mary Greendale talked with the Select Board about the need for a significant increase (yellow highlights) in the proposed budget (that was previously approved by the Bd. of Assessors).  Largely the increased costs relate to meeting directives promulgated by the MA Dept of Revenue.  Rudden and Greendale see this budget as a foundation for Assessor budgets in the foreseeable future.  The Select Board asked some questions and provided some coaching as the Assessors prepare to present this proposal to the Finance Committee.  

After one month and one week, Finance Director – Treasurer / Collector Chris Heymanns presented the following four budgets:

• Treasurer/Collector (01145): $386,814 (+4.07%)
• Debt Service (01710): $377,660
• County Retirement (01911): See blue highlighted lines below.

• Benefits (01912-4): $11,282,850 (combining all benefits lines)

The Board approved the proposed FY 24 budgets (excluding Assessors).

• Mr. Ahern showed the current FY24 Revenue Assumptions which are being updated as new data comes from the State.
• Mr. Ahern presented a draft list of Town projects that would be submitted to the State for earmarks in the coming State Budget.  The list will be finalized and presented to the Board at a later date for authorization to send to our State Senator and State Representative.
• Below is the revised Budget preparation timeline to have everything in place for the May 15, 2023, Town Meeting.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) – Grant Award – Linden Street

Mrs. Hein reported that the Town has received confirmation that the State DOT through its SRTS grant program will be funding a multi-year project to create a walking / bike path along Linden Street with access to the Woodland Street school complex.  This State project will provide one piece of the overall Holliston sidewalk strategy.  In the coming weeks the Town Highway Department will be upgrading the crosswalk at Linden and Washington Streets.  Other Town sidewalk upgrades were approved at the October Town Meeting.

Public Comment:

• Mrs. Hein:
  • Trash / Recycling pickup will be delayed one day next week in observance of Presidents Day on Monday.
• Mr. Cronin: He noted two personal milestones of his Board colleagues’ families.
  • Residents had checked on the status of sidewalks / crosswalks on Highland St. related to the recent traffic pattern changes.
  • The Capital Working Group (FinCom and SB members) is modeling what / when the potential major capital projects look like and how they might be funded.  More to come from this group.
• Mr. Sparrell:
  • The Planning Board is holding a Public Hearing THIS Thursday on a proposal for 555 Hopping Brook.
  • The 300^th anniversary planning group should meet with the Board at an upcoming meeting.
  • Would like to know more about the OPEB investment strategy.
  • Representatives from Town and School departments met to begin the planning for how School facilities would be integrated into the Facilities Manager role / responsibility. Plan to be drafted.
• Public: None

Warrants:  The Board unanimously approved the weekly warrants totaling -> $2,686,032.62

Comments from the Town Administrator:  Mr. Ahern noted the following:

• The Governance Committee has completed its summary report and is ready to present it to the Select Board.
• The Board will NOT meet next week – unless there is a pressing need.
• The MAPC presentation to the Town is THIS Wednesday at 7:00pm -> https://www.townofholliston.us/home/news/economic-development-committee-presentation-meeting
• The Envision Future Holliston will hold a Strategic Vision kickoff meeting on March 1, 2023, -> https://www.townofholliston.us/home/news/envisioning-future-holliston-strategic-planning-meeting
• Engineers from Pare Corp will be at the Factory Pond site this week doing preliminary work.

Board Business: The Board took the following actions:

• Executed Lease, Tax, and Net Metering Credit Purchase & Sale Agreements between Town of Holliston and SolSystems for Solar Project on top of the capped landfill on Marshall Street.
• Appointed VFW members: Ronald Turcotte, Stanley Feinberg, and Charles Jacobs to the Memorial Day Committee, term expires June 2023.
• Approved the minutes of January 9, 2023, meeting.

Other Business:

Mr. Cronin suggested that the Board authorize Mr. Ahern to send the completed earmark request list to our U.S. Representative James McGovern for potential access to Federal funding.

The meeting adjourned at 8:44pm.  Reminder – NO MEETING next week.  Happy Valentine’s Day Holliston.