As of 7:06 there is a quorum Town Moderator Bill Mayer opened the meeting and read the meeting notice requirements.

All articles which have previous comments can be reviewed using the warrant which you can download from this link

Motion is moved that non-voting attendees be allowed to give public comments as well as participate in discussion of articles. Motion passed –

Select Board – Chair John Cronin – thanks everyone for attendance at Fall town meeting. Showed a brief slide show for greater understanding of what is going to occur at this evenings’ meeting. Thanks Travis for all of your hard work in dealing with the warrant and the Finance Committee who has unanimously approved the warrant.

Looking forward to productive discussions on the two controversial items regarding Lowland Street. Discusses the goals of the Select Board and their goals. (the slide show can be found on the recording at 0:12).

New Hires- Fire Chief/EMS Brian Kelley, Part Time Economic development coordinator as of 10/23 (Melanie Hambien), Sustainability coordinator contract (Weston and Sampson approved earlier in the evening) and Drug Free Community Program Director Zoe Moreau started 6/23.

Updates on projects and status including Marshall Street, DPW/Cross Street, Green Street, RECC Conversion

Looking Ahead: Town Administrator/Town Manager, Sewer District to stimulate new business opportunities, Monitor Holliston High Building status.  MSBA response expected in late 2023 for the school funding.

Dr. Ken Szajda net aid came in slightly lower than expected (-$708). Overrides passed at May Town Election and increases in tax will follow when debt is incurred. Increase will depend on debt. Free cash verified on 10/13.

Free cash – Money appropriated and not spent, one-time revenues, local receipts from prior year.

Fincom recommendations for use of these funds can be found at 7:23 in recording – funding for articles 1, 2, 8, 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 15

Required to keep 12 – 18 percent in general fund. This recommendations keep us in that range. Further commentary about this at 0:24 in recording.

Next town meeting 05/06/2024 – all welcome to FinCom meetings which are remote.

ARTICLE 1: GENERAL STABILIZATION FUND SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $250,000 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for the General Stabilization Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 2: PENSION STABILIZATION FUND SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $250,000 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for the Pension Stabilization Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 3: CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FUND SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: TBD To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for the Capital Expenditure Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 4: CAPITAL BUDGET SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $1,260,800 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow a sum of money for the purpose of capital expenditures, including replacement of old vehicles and equipment, for the following departments: Police, Ambulance, DPW (Highway & Grounds), Facilities, Parks & Recreation, and Schools, including the expenditures listed below, and authorize the Select Board to trade or sell equipment toward part of the purchase price; or take any action relative thereto.

(breakdown can be seen in the warrant)

(requires 2/3 vote because of capital expenditure)

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 5: SIDEWALK AND RAMP REPAIRS & RECONSTRUCTION (Year 2) SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $1,000,000 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for localized repairs or reconstruction of existing public sidewalks or ramps, including the labor, cost of materials and disposal of materials, or take any action relative thereto

(requires 2/3 vote because of capital expenditure)

$900,000 Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 6: TEMPORARY SIGNALIZATION OF WHITNEY STREET AT WASHINGTON STREET SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $150,000 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for the rental or lease of equipment to signalize the intersection of Whitney Street and Washington Street and to make recommended physical changes to allow for a left turn lane and right turn lane when exiting to Washington Street; or take any action relative thereto.

John Cronin — board undertook a survey regarding commercial vehicles. In July 2021, Woodland St. was given a HCV exclusion.  8/21 to now PD has had 356 encounters with truckers. – May 2023 various residents complained about tearing away of communication lines by large truck. Spring/Summer 2023 multiple board meetings included residents and affected parties regarding illegal commercial vehicles.

Signalization will take a count of operations and temporary signals are an interim measure while we find a permanent solution.  (Mr. Cronin went into more detail which can be found at 0:43)

• Ms. Kerry – Green Street – no confidence in McMahon because they do not take into consideration what’s appropriate in the town.
• Mr. Chipman – St. George Road – not one business has been discussed (from Lowland Industrial Park) regarding the issues with the trucks. Feels like the lights are putting the cart before the horse.
• Ms. Clark – Washington Street – CORRECTION: I simply stated that I have lived in this town and long time,since 1979 and have seen many changes in the traffic and stoplight usage. I am not unhappy with the use of more stoplights to help control traffic.
• Mr. Cronin – notification to the businesses would be made only upon changes which would be made in regard to road closures.
• Mr. Conley – Cranberry Lane – the traffic coming from other towns especially during rush hour is awful. New light could back up traffic even more.
• Ms. Zicko – Fiske Street – why are the businesses NOT being notified BEFORE a closure? Whitney St. needs a light (particularly with trucks). Question to select board – why have businesses not been included in this discussion?
• Mr. Rodenheiser – Central Street – why were only businesses in the Lowland area notified of the closures? Other businesses use these roadways.
• Mr. Rodenheiser – Owns property in Holliston – regarding tractor trailers turning around in the parking lot of his property. The truckers would wind up lost and not know where to turn. Signage could be enhanced, which could help mitigate some of the issues. If you block off Lowland there are other problems which could be created. Timing of lights is also a problem for traffic flow (He’s also on Medway planning board).
• Ms. Owen – Locust Street – traffic ramifications between Woodland and Locust truck traffic is a 0problem – If a signal goes up at Whitney it’s going to be worse.
• Mr. Ahern — regarding 1^st Mr. Rodenheiser – initial heavy vehicle exclusions were specific to Lowland (and South (e.g. Hopping Brook)).
• Ms. Sanford – Central Street – commutes and she is impacted heavily by the Woodland Bridge project. Her current go around is Lowland and she’s often stuck behind trucks – putting in a light is going to make it worse. Time is awful and residents in the area need to be taken into consideration as this can be an imposition.
• Mr. Ahern — one benefit of looking at Whitney Street lighting is working with Mass DOT. We’re all suffering under Woodland Street project. The goal is to get Woodland Street open as soon as possible (approximately an 8-month project and we’re hoping to get the state to pay for it).  Signalization of Whitney makes sense. Whitney Street signals would facilitate the traffic flow, not harbor it. *further discussion 1:03”
• Ms. Chipman – Stagecoach Road – temporary lights will cost nearly $100K and is concerned about the time and expense that would be incurred over the long term of the project. Sight distance to the left is also a serious concern which could mean the road would have to be “dropped” about a foot because of safety concerns. Could also incur additional liability for the town
• Mr. Ahern – Clarify: Did use Natick as an example but that project was a much larger project, and this is much different scale and scope. We would be working on a much smaller project which could take far less time. Smaller projects get “sandwiched” in to fill in between larger project approval times. (further discussion at 1:08)
• Mr. Drucker – Lowland Street owner – has had experience with McMahon and has no faith in them.  There was feedback that moving out from Whitney to Washington is dangerous.  Currently only Lowland is the only safe spot for trucks in that spot. A lot more input should be taken into consideration before the lights are put up. (additional commentary at 1:13).
• Mr. Rodenheiser – Central Street – cost is very steep. Timing – road radius is not suitable for safety purposes. Believes the project needs a closure look with more focus on the impact on residents.

Motion to move – 2^nd – Moved Vote: In Favor:  89   Opposed: 145 (defeated)

ARTICLE 7: ESTABLISH OPIOID SETTLEMENT STABILIZATION ACCOUNT SPONSORED BY: Select Board To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to the provisions of MGL c. 40, s. 5B, to create a new special purpose stabilization fund, to be known as the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund and further, to adopt the last paragraph of said s. 5B and dedicate to such fund, without further appropriation, 100% of the opioid litigation settlement funds received by the Town; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 8: TRANSFER TO OPIOID SETTLEMENT STABILIZATION ACCOUNT SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $61,500 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money for the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 9: ENVISIONING FUTURE HOLLISTON PRESENTATION OF TOWNWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN SPONSORED BY: Town Administrator To hear a report of the Envisioning Future Holliston Committee and the Town’s Consultant, Berry Dunn, or take any action relative thereto.

ENVISIONING FUITURE HOLLISTON SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW HERE

Presentation given by Mr. Ahern – 15-minute limit – no vote needed – this is merely an update in the process and the review can be seen at 1:22. Charline Kirongozi took over the presentation.

Presentation can be seen online as a power point using the above link rather than go through what was being read from slides (and to save room!)

Mr. Ahern commented on various people who should be recognized for the work they have one on this project. Still soliciting feedback and encourages people to reach the committee or his office.

Public Comments: (missed name) resident from Turner Road – remember that 5 years is a long time, and we need to stay engaged. The context is to consider who we need to become to reach these goals. Mentioned several issues (including financial demographics) (see his comments at 1:44 in recording)

ARTICLE 10: ARCHITECTURAL AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF SENIOR CENTER IMPROVEMENTS SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $25,000 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to engage an architectural firm to perform conceptual designs of options to maximize and optimize the space at the Holliston Senior Center located at 150 Goulding Street; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 11: COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPONSORED BY: CPC ESTIMATED COST: $14,325 To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds a sum of money for the following uses: or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 12: HISTORIC COMMISSION SURVEY & PLANNING GRANT MATCH SPONSORED BY: Historic Commission ESTIMATED COST: $15,000 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to match grant funds from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to conduct an inventory of historic places in downtown Holliston; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 13: FUNDING OF EV CHARGING REVOLVING FUND SPONSORED BY: Town Administrator ESTIMATED COST: $10,000 (FinCom vote: 1 opposed)

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 14: TREE BYLAW SPONSORED BY: Select Board To see if the Town will vote to amend its General Bylaws by adding a new Article XLVII, entitled “Tree Protection & Preservation Bylaw” as DESCRIBED IN WARRANT

Discussion:

• Dr. Ken Szajada – defining of tree – there is a typo and “the” should be stricken from record (friendly suggestion 😊)
• Ms. Carrie – Green Street – Who is the tree warden? Is that a set position? Yes, it’s a set position. Shawn Reece (DPW Director) – per Travis.
• Mr. Lockley – if I need a permit to remove a tree do I need to contact the tree warden?

Motion made and seconded – passed

ARTICLE 15: MBTA ZONING & MAPPING – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $50,000

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 16: TOWN ZONING MAP ADOPTION SPONSORED BY: Planning Board To see if the Town will amend Zoning By-Law at Section II-B Location of Districts by replacing the record maps in their entirety with the following consolidated parcel-based map entitled “Town of Holliston Zoning Map” 1”=1500’ prepared by Comprehensive Environmental Incorporated (dated September 2023); no district changes are contemplated as this is a change to the base map itself; or take any action relative thereto.

A letter was received regarding this and said the planning board was to hold a hearing and that requirement has been met.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – no opposed

ARTICLE 17: CONVEYANCE OF LAND OF LOW MUNICIPAL VALUE (15 WINTHROP STREET) SPONSORED BY: Select Board To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town, acting by and through the Select Board, to convey a portion of Town owned property located at 15 Winthrop Street, so as to correct longstanding lot line conflicts, all as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk’s Office; or take any action relative thereto.

Motion made and seconded – no discussion – passed unanimously

ARTICLE 16: All-Alcohol Liquor License Sponsored by Petition To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to petition the State Legislature on behalf of Central Cafe & Convenience, 92-94 Central Street, for one additional off premise license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages. This license would be grated to the Central Cafe & Convenience who is currently operating under a “Wine & Malt” Beverage license, or any action relative thereto.

Petitioner asked to present:  Rebecca Azir on behalf of her dad the owner of Central Café & Convenience – extensive presentation (please see 02:00 to see presentation).

Mr. Demato – he’s been in that store and does not feel that not having a full permit hampers the store.

Motion made and seconded – passed unanimously.

The moderator thanks various people and welcomes them to the Town meeting (many for the first time). He just presents their product and he’s very appreciative. Noted absence of Mary Greendale and the Dellikers and hopes they are well.

Article 19: Citizens’ Petition: Lowland Street Sponsored by Citizens Petition To see if the Town will vote to advise the Select Board that the citizens of Holliston do not support the installation of a locking pipe gate, or any barrier intended to restrict vehicular traffic in any capacity at any point along Lowland Street and that the citizens of Holliston do support the installation of signs and police patrol as enforcement of the heavy commercial vehicle exclusion on Woodland Street.

This is advisory in nature so people should be aware It is NOT binding on the Select Board.

• Motion made by: Ann Chipman – Stagecoach Road – (read above motion).  Offered the following background:

For years, residents Woodland/Regal/Nordland/Lowland have expressed concern about traffic impacting their neighbors negatively. A heavy vehicle exclusion was granted. This is except for vehicles which are only being used as cut-throughs and not those who are doing business on Woodland.

The petition was necessary because Woodland is being ignored. On 6/5 the Select Board showed some closure on barriers at RailTrail. Please see recording 2:15 for additional information.

Vote yes because (a) recent signage upgrades (b) traffic (according to HPD is only 3.8 precent)

The traffic study showed that traffic signage was inadequate: Improved signage may improve (only installed in September) traffic and show a better outcome than closing Lowland. (please see additional comments at 2:18)

Bottom line: 3.82 percent of traffic was commercial in a given week. The rest is motorcycle/passenger vehicles. This puts commuters at a distinct disadvantage. It only shifts the burden regarding where the traffic is actually going. (for full context please see recording)

• Mr. Cronin: The Board has not voted on 6/5 to close Lowland – we could not have had a vote without a town meeting. There was consensus for the board to further study but DID not vote.
• Dr. Liz Theiler – Norland Street – there have been numerous facts which have been stated which are not always accurate: Think about your neighborhood and then think about ours – Children ride their bikes, parents push strollers, people walk dogs, people go to Rail Trail. Would you want a big truck exclusion in your neighborhood to be enforced? What would you think if someone outside of your neighborhood told you that you can’t do anything to change the big trucks? There are people OUTSIDE of the neighborhood who want to control how things happen in YOUR neighborhood.  (additional commentary can be seen on the recording) … None of the people who signed the petition live in the neighborhood have signed the petition. Requests a NO vote on this article.
• Ms. Chipman is back – would like to respond to Mr. Cronin – No vote was stated, their was more a “decision” and Mr. Cronin and Ms. Hein were very much in favor – Specific words were “needs bold steps”. The reason behind contracting was the closing.
• Ms. Baroud (correction) — Rides, pushes bikes, DOES not feel safe doing these things with 18 wheelers. Went door to door – comments:

Huge problem but Select board will not do the right thing (road should be closed)

Always ignored (we don’t matter)

Road is very unsafe

Walk Woodland/Lowland and Lowland is unsafe

Want road to stay open but truckers won’t do the right thing

Wish they could solve this (wires pulled off house) – yes I agree to closing road.

• Mr. Duffy (corrected) – Fiske Street – I avoided the center at all costs because of the lighting – I don’t feel that McMahon did right. The trucks DO go flying by (40 years’ experience) – HPD does the best job possible – we are lucky that we have the best State Police Dept in the country. Trucks can be FINED for violations and our State Police do a GOOD job of this. Recommends using State PD
• Mr. Cronin – we HAVE utilized State Police to supplement HPD
• Mr. Drucker – DPW should confirm there is 60’ road – we purchased industrial buildings with the intention of using roadways. Widen the road, put in new sidewalks – spend the money instead of temporary lights to make it usable for everyone! VOTE YES.
• Mr. Delliker – Washington St – has office on Woodland Street – When the industrial road was shut down, there was a grandfathering of the businesses. I get pulled over all the time – and I’m grandfathered in because of the industrial zone purchase and we can’t NOT use the roadway (see additional comments in recording). Shutting down roads means LESS safety, not more.
• Mr. Rodenheiser (Andy) – Owns property in Hopping Brook – previously owned Lowland – he moved OUT of Lowland because of the enforcement issues – the truck restriction made it even worse – Keep in mind that business owners are paying taxes based on a different valuation – remember that closing areas (unintended consequences of traffic policies) create unwelcome environment for business. In favor despite not having a vote (he’s a resident of Medway)
• Mr. Bailey – Lowland St Resident – witness to dangerous situations and property damage. There are two parts of Lowland – Industrial and residential – 21’ feet wide in residential and 30’ in industrial – …. 65 homes in this community – too many times kids dive for bushes when large trucks come through. (see more of his comments in the video) There has been significant damage at his home alone – along with OTHER incidents of damage which are SERIOUS. Vote NO and let us continue working with the Select Board.
• Mr. (Bill) Rodenheiser – this is a valuable cut-through and police statistics are clear – there are NOT that many trucks using Lowland Street – (see his comments for additional context) we KNEW this was industrial property – we want to make it better; we need to get serious and find out how to improve the area. We have a LOT of traffic issues at this time. Please vote yes on this measure, we really need to think about this.
• *UPDATED* Karen Langton. – Woodland Street – feels that people are NOT taking the risks that neighbors are suffering through seriously. We’re your neighbors but you’re not treating us this way – we hear you saying we bought property in an industrial area. We’re your neighbors – we went to the Board to ask for help.
• Mr. Chipman – we do respect everyone’s voices here – We had some of the wires measured and they were LOWER than code. We are business owners, and we feel that we should have a say as well.
• Mr. Lucier – Regal Street – – this is a dangerous area and there should be lights on (CORRECTION) Whitney Street. We need lights STARTING now because the longer we wait, the worse it’s going to get …. Remember, speed limit signs are NOT a suggestion. (see recording for additional context please)

Vote:    Approve Motion: 126              Oppose Motion: 59          (done by hand vote)

Motion to adjourn approved unanimously