Forgive me in advance! I joined the meeting via Zoom, made notes and did the best I could with gathering important information. Please feel free to comment if you think I missed anything important, I am sure it will take a bit for me to get use to this! Thanks Doreen
Update on Streetlight Conversion
James Keast – Facility manager – purchased streetlights from Eversource – about a year ago. Process bid to be transferred to LED – project is substantially complete.
Light status inaccurate from Eversource – they are marked in red/yellow on map (see below)
Funding came from green communities and incentive rebates from Eversource – residential will see energy efficiency on bills which provides rebates to business and residents
Overall project cost <$50,000. Savings of 270,000 KW reduction annually – equivalent to 37 households
If you‘re out on the road and see old light fixtures please let go to website and “report street light issue”
Original list had 918 lights – closer to 1,000 when you take into consideration the ones which were missing from the list. Advantage: Highest output in residential areas is 40% of capability so high life use.
If you see this type of lights in your neighborhood please use THIS FORM to report a light issue!
ARPA Steering Recommendations from August 10th Meeting
Review of ARPA Project Balances as of 7/31/23
Meets quarterly – just under 1.5 years ago the committee was determining obligations of funds available so they could focus on optimizing awards and making sure projects were getting attention. The primary goal is to circle back and look at unused funds and use for other needs as available. Ms. Hein indicated that public has a lot of concern about $$ and where they are getting $$
June 30 – funds:
Motions Made and Passed
Liquidate balance of Full Day Kindergarten ($383,248) as FDK is included in FY24 budget; approve School capital requests for $325,000
Touchless water bottle fill stations: Central Fire Station and Public Library ($11,000)
Removal of soil from 9 Green Street municipal parking lot project ($20,000)
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Capital Improvements; leveraging $400,000 from State ARPA, for increasing capacity (leeching field) and preparing for Downtown connection ($600,000)
Warrants Approved
Warrants for $593,455.33 and $ 870,675.01 were moved and approved unanimously.
Public Comment
Letter from resident of Cedar St regarding speeding on street // danger to himself/children – sent to traffic control they are meeting regarding what steps can be taken.
Comments from Town Administrator Travis Ahern
Holliston is the place to be in September! Travis Ahern did a joint announcement with parties regarding September – Sun Sept 10 Farms Day (website and Facebook) – Holliston Historical Society – then Celebrate Holliston. Look for the following town-wide events:
Sunday September 10th – Farm Day and 9/11 Memorial
Holliston Farms Day is Sept. 10, 2023 from 10am to 4pm at participating local farms. See attached description HERE of the farms and what to expect on Farms Day at each location.
Farms Day represents a unique opportunity to celebrate all that farms in Holliston have to offer with special events and offers.
September 10th 9/11 Recognition – American Legion – watch this space!
Holliston Historical Society: 42nd Harvest Fair on September 17, 2023! We have a rain date of September 24, 2023 just in case weather is a washout on the 17th.
Celebrate Holliston – September 23, 2023 rain date 9/30 Read more here (and vote for Citizen of the year while you’re there!)
Additional Votes Taken and Approved
Accept donation to Holliston Police Department from Framingham Union Aid Association $1,907 for an automated external defibrillator
Permits approved:
- Beer Garden Arcadian Farms – 8/19/23 from 3pm to 7pm
- Glen Brown Birthday party – 8/26/23 3pm to 7pm
- Frankies Birthday party – 8/19/23 12pm to 8pm
- Mudville Block Party – 9/30/23 12pm to 9pm
Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Tina Hein recommended that the schools be informed of the SRTS developments so they may include it in the transportation Emails to parents and guardians.
Open Space Committee
The open space committee has a new Instagram page – unfortunately I can’t see it because I’m not currently on Instagram (working on it!)
No Select Board meeting next week~
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One event left off Travis Ahern’s list. The Senior Support Foundation’s Annual Fall Fair and Yard sale at the Senior Center, September 9th, from 9 to 3.
I think that Holliston needs to allocate some additional funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ holidays, including pride month (June), trans day of awareness (3/31), and Celebrate Bisexuality Day (coming up on 9/23)! I realize it’s late for some of these, but perhaps the next time the board convenes they could discuss a town wide observance of international pronouns day (10/17), Asexuality awareness week (10/20-10/26) or trans day of remembrance (11/20). xoxo thanks!
Doreen, this a huge undertaking but sure you will ace it. Thank you for stepping up. I’m sure all your readers will be understanding and help when they can. Jackie
In addition = a free concert by the Big Chief Band on Sunday Sept. 3rd
from 4:30 to 6 pm at Blair Square