It was a rare Wednesday meeting of the Holliston Select Board as it convened at 7:01 pm on April 19, 2023.  Chair Ben Sparrell offered a “familiar” agenda for the meeting.

First up was the discussion of an updated Host Community Agreement (HCA) for Mederi Inc., at 44 Boynton Road.

CEO and co-founder Chris Pantano (grey cap) and co-founder Meredith George (left center) answered questions from the Board about the changes in this HCA.  Recent Massachusetts legislation changed the financial arrangement with host communities and allowed for retail delivery of cannabis.  Mr. Cronin and Mr. Ahern had recently visited the Mederi site to learn more about the business.  Mr. Cronin is supportive of this growth (pun intended) industry and complimented Mederi on its partnership with Holliston.  The addition of retail delivery from the Holliston location will increase the number of employees and increase the revenue the Town receives each year of the agreement.  The Board noted that Mederi is a “good neighbor” and looks forward to the company’s plan to expand its facility’s size.

The Board voted unanimously to approve / sign the updated HCA with Mederi, Inc.

Agricultural Commission (AgCom) Appointments:

The Board received three letters of interest to fill the one vacant seat on the AgCom. 

• Jeanne Chuslo
• Jen Dayton
• Andy Reseska

After discussing each letter, the Board voted to appoint Ms. Chuslo to the vacant seat and Ms. Dayton as an Associate Member.  Mr. Cronin abstained from the vote and asked that the Town Administrator contact Mr. Reseska about serving as an Associate Member (once again).

Discussion of Electric Utility Supply rate lock beginning January 1, 2024

Facilities Manager James Keast (above right) is all smiles as he shared some good news about electricity rates for the Town account which covers municipal buildings, schools, traffic signals, and streetlights.  The current great rate ends December 31, 2023.  The good news includes that the FY 24 operating budget assumptions included an expected rate increase of about 35% and the new rate is about 17% higher than what the Town pays now.

Below is a chart of the best rates he found for electricity that is produced from all-renewable energy sources.  Keast recommended to the Board that a 24-month rate lock with Constellation Energy as the electricity supplier was the most advantageous for the Town.  He feels that by the end of 2025 when that rate lock period ends would be a good time to see how the market has stabilized / or not.

The Board voted unanimously to enter into a 24-month electricity supply contract with Constellation Energy that goes into effect January 1, 2024.

Planning of Pedestrian Access for future Woodland Street dam/bridge replacement project

While the Woodland Street reconstruction will happen over the next couple of years, the need for an alternative route for pedestrian access is needed.  The Holliston DPW has a plan to construct that alternative route.  As shown below in yellow, a new 500-foot sidewalk will be installed along Lowland Street that does NOT require taking any property beyond the right of way and minimal tree pruning in partnership with the property owners.

The new sidewalk will create a permanent link from Woodland Street to the Upper Charles Rail Trail.  This missing link is part of the long-term sidewalk plan and enhances Safe Routes to School and the Town’s Complete Street priority.  The Board voted to authorize the Town Administrator, with advice from Town Counsel, to set the sidewalk project in motion as soon as possible using Holliston DPW resources.

May 2023 Annual Town Meeting – Warrant Review

The Board discussed a request from the Finance Committee related to Article 19 (below).  The balance of Free Cash is $63,599.  The Select Board recommended using the balance to replenish the Programmatic Stabilization Fund.  The FinCom proposes using the balance toward the Pension Stabilization Fund.  After lengthy discussion, the Board stayed with their original plan to use the money as highlighted below.

Recent State legislation allows regional schools to establish a Capital Stabilization Account.  The Keefe Tech School Board has asked that this article be placed on Holliston’s Town Meeting Warrant as outlined below.

This Keefe Tech Article does NOT include a monetary component.

Articles 21 and 22 (below) relate to borrowing authorizations: 1) New DPW facility, and 2) Water / Sidewalk infrastructure.

The Board supports these two articles and will be mounting a public information campaign to educate Town Meeting participants and Town voters about the pros and cons of voting in support of these articles and the related Town Election ballot questions.

The Board will continue to review this draft and take a final vote on the Warrant at next Monday’s (April 24^th) Board meeting.

Public Comment:

• Mrs. Hein: None
• Mr. Cronin:
  • As part of the Town Meeting public information campaign mentioned above, Mr. Cronin appeared with Mr. Ahern for a new episode of HCAT’s “Ask the T.A.”  The topic was Articles 21 and 22 related to authorizing borrowing by the Town for two major capital expenditures.
• Mr. Sparrell:
  • Noted the activity of Holliston’s First Responders and thanked them for answering the call to serve our community.
• Public:
  • Tom Chipman (below), resident and business owner brought additional information to the Board’s attention related to the recent Car Show hosted by Authentic Auto Body located on Jeffery Road.  Mr. Chipman had photos of the event.  His property was used by show participants – without his permission – leaving behind a mess to clean up.  He reported that there was evidence of dangerous driving in the area during the event. 

First, the Board apologized to Mr. Chipman for approving the event.  Based on Mr. Chipman’s input and other complaints received since the event, the Board directed the Town Administrator to conduct a thorough investigation to include input from HPD and the event host Authentic Auto Body.  The Board assured Mr. Chipman that it will do all it can to prevent a repeat of this situation.

Warrants: The Board unanimously approved the weekly warrants totaling -> $846,268.14

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

• Envisioning Future Holliston will be hosting several public events to gather resident input. In addition, there is a website dedicated to individual input.  Learn more by clicking here -> https://hollistonreporter.com/2023/04/public-invited-to-upcoming-strategic-plan-community-forums/
• A new Town Accountant has conditionally accepted the position.  The condition of the job offer is to meet with the Select Board on May 1, 2023, to ratify the selection.
• The proposed State Aid to Holliston was received recently.  It’s not what was hoped for but does not significantly impact Town budget planning.
• The recent TAC recommendation to have a 25mph speed limit on all of Winter St. requires MassDOT approval and so that process has been started.
• There will be no Select Board meeting the week of June 19, 2023.  June 19^th is the Juneteenth observance.

Board Business:  The Board took the following actions:

• Approved the contract with Pare Corp. or engineering services for dam and bridge replacement/rehabilitation at Bogastow Brook (Woodland Street) ($252,330)
• Approved the event permit for a Turkey Trot November 23, 2023, for the Holliston Youth Lacrosse 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Approved One Day Alcohol Beverage License Rushford & Sons Brewhouse One Day Alcohol Beverage License on May 12, 2023.  Brian Goodman (below left), Holliston resident and Rushford co-owner was on hand to answer any questions the Board might have.  The event will be a “proof of concept” to feature Rushford products to a limited capacity (25-person at a time) at the Bird and Bear Collective.

• Approved the event permit for a “Downtown Spring Market” May 13, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 747 Washington Street
• Approved Engineering Service Agreements for AP Associates: Dopping Brook Water Treatment Facility ($68,300) and Water Mains and Appurtenances for Various Locations ($147,300)
• Appointed Sumedha Rathnayake to the Cultural Council through June 2024.
• Accepted and gave thanks for the following donations:
  • $100 donation to the Senior Center in memory of Linda Flannery from Michael and Paula Doe
  • $200 donation to the Senior Center in memory of Linda Flannery from Karen and Natalie Neff
  • $1,010.51 donation to the MetroWest Veterans Services from the MetroWest Symphony Orchestra
  • $1,300 donation to the Parks & Recreation Dept. from the Newcomers & Neighbors for the summer Concerts

Other Business:  Mrs. Hein asked through the Town Administrator to engage ATA/HR Dir. Kathleen Buckley to begin developing information related to warrant articles 21 and 22 for public dissemination.

The meeting adjourned at 9:12pm.