Select Board Meeting 04/24/2024
In attendance: Chair John Cronin, Vice Chair Tina Hein, Clerk Ben Sparrell, Town Administrator Travis Ahern
May 2024 Annual Town Meeting
Incorporation of feedback from Public Forum (April 16,2024) on Town Manager Act Article
Travis made some changes to this after receiving various feedback and incorporated those changes and displayed the new text. The information has been shared on Holliston Reporter and is also available on the Town Website (follow this link)
Changes were also made to the Education Stabilization fund language.
Public Hearing for Layout of Rebeca Lane “Layout” per MGL c 82, s.17-32; “Road Acceptance”
*Currently Article 30: To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way Rebeca Lane (Station 0+00 to 5+00.06) and the associated drainage easement in the Triangle Farm Subdivision as shown on the plan entitled “Acceptance Plan ‘Triangle Farms’ Rebeca Lane Sta. 0+00 to 5+00.06” dated November 11, 2023, prepared by GLM Engineering Consultants, such way having been laid out as Town Ways by the Select Board; and to authorize the Select Board to acquire deeds or easements to effectuate such acceptance; or take any action relative thereto.
COMMENTS: The Planning Board voted in February 2024 to send Rebeca Lane to the Select Board for consideration of acceptance under c. 82, s. 17-32, for which the Select Board held a public hearing in April 2024. Final punch list items for the developer are considered minimal and subdivision performance surety was reduced to meet the potential cost of the punch list.
The 7-lot subdivision is built out and the Homeowner’s Association own and is responsible for the Open Space associated with the OSRD subdivision. Application for a permanent Conservation Restriction on the Open Space is under review by the EEA Division of Conservation Services per Agreement with the developer and the Planning Board.
Public Comments requested by John – none recorded
Public Hearing closed: Motion made by Ben and 2nd by Tina to include in the town meeting warrant.
Authorization of Final Warrant for May 2024 Annual Town Meeting
Ben made a motion to accept the warrant with the updated language and updated information. Tina 2nd the motion and motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
John: Congratulations to the Holliston Lions Club Melvin Jones recipients, the two Heart of a Lions recipients as well as to the Holliston Lions Club for being selected as the Best Lions Club in Massachusetts.
John will be working with Mary Greendale regarding a show discussing the Town Manager Act (you can watch it here).
Friday is the Arbor Day event at 6pm on Green Street.
Weekly Warrants (A/P & Payroll) Ben made a motion to approve the warrant, Tina seconded, and it passed unanimously.
Travis:
- State Earmark – agenda item for next Monday (4/29) to discuss amending the plan for rebranding efforts of Central Street when the State’s $50k earmark was cut to $25k by 9c cuts;
- The Town provided letters from our neighboring communities in support of the May 11th Parade application to MassDOT – thank you to our neighbors for turning these around quickly!
- Ongoing recruitment of the Conservation Agent vacancy; Stacy Minihane of Beals & Thomas currently covering temporary professional and technical support for the ConCom until the position is filled;
- A “Virtual Site Visit” was held today (4/24 at 5:30pm) for state agencies and the public to hear about the design/engineering of the Woodland Street Bridge/Dam project;
- EPA is installing new monitoring wells in the Downtown area this week
State Earmark Update – Central Street Branding
This will be impacted by the change in state funding and Tina and Travis will present it next week for decisions by the board.
Letters to MassDOT & State Police regarding May 11, 2024, Parade for Holliston’s 300th Anniversary have been sent with the correspondence from other towns agreeing to have portions of a state route closed. Sent by Celebrate Holliston to State Police. Estimate at this time is 1,300 people participating in the parade.
Board Business
Update to CY2024 Schedule for Flags at Blair Square — The Pride Flag will be displayed from May 30th to – reviewed flag schedule for 2024 – 2025 which can be seen here.
Proposed amendment motion made by Ben and 2nd by Tina passed unanimously.
Holliston Pride Picnic Event Permit, June 1, 2024 – motion to approve by Ben, 2nd by Tina and passed. (event is at Blair Square 10am to 3pm and has gone through Parks Department)
Other Business – Ben: performance Bond for Rebeca Lane is being held by Town Administrator.
Tina: Safe Routes to school, no updates. Also will not be here for the Town Meeting because her daughter is trying out for the Olympics. And will not be able to attend the Memorial Day parade due to a work conflict.
