Holliston Takes Care of Business at October Town Meeting

Holiston Reporter

Moderator William Mayer (top row right below) called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm once a quorum of residents was confirmed by Town Clerk, Elizabeth Greendale (second from right at top below).

Bottom Row: Select Board and Town Administrator; Upper Row: Town Counsel, Town Clerks and Moderator
Finance Committee members, Mark Whittaker was present also.

Mr. Mayer asked for a moment of silence in memory of Mark Schultz, FinCom member and frequent Town Meeting contributor.

Mr. Ben Sparrell made a presentation on behalf of the Long-Range Planning Committee “Envisioning Future Holliston” asking for citizen input.  There is a webpage to provide input -> FutureHolliston.com

Ben Sparrell

Mr. Sam Tyler provided an update from the Governance Committee.  The Committee is awaiting the report from the Division of Local Services, Technical Assistance Bureau before making recommended governance changes at future Town Meetings.

Sam Tyler, Governance Committee Chair

Mrs. Tina Hein (below) presented the Select Board’s update and previewing specific articles to come before the Meeting. Included in the Select Board’s report was the status of CARES Act and ARPA funds remaining.  CARES Act = $100,000 and ARPA = $2.5 Million.

Tina Hein, Select Board Chair

Following a fond memory of Mark Schultz, Dr. Ken Szajda presented the Finance Committee’s perspective on the state of Holliston’s finances.  Dr. Szajda also presented the FinCom’s recommended actions on the Articles to be addressed at the Meeting.

Ken Szajda, Finance Committee Chair

After the Meeting approved the participation of non-Holliston staff members, the review of the Warrant articles began.

Moderator Mayer presented each article as outlined in the Warrant:

ARTICLE 1: GENERAL STABILIZATION FUND – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $1,565,000

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.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $1,565,000 FROM FREE CASH (Mrs. Sobchak was absent from the meeting at which the FinCom voted on each article.  All votes were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.)

ARTICLE 2: PENSION STABILIZATION FUND – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

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.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $250,000 FROM FREE CASH

ARTICLE 3: CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FUND – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $1,400,000

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.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $1,400,000 FROM FREE CASH

ARTICLE 4: CAPITAL BUDGET – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $1,313,037

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: Select Board, Police, Fire, Ambulance, DPW (Highway), Facilities, Technology, Schools, and authorize the Select Board to trade or sell equipment toward part of the purchase price; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $1,221,417 FROM THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FUND WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AT TOWN MEETING CONCERNING $91,620 FOR PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERAS – The FinCom supports the Public Safety Cameras with the understanding that the Select Board has a comprehensive plan for the proper use, security, and storage of the camera data.

ARTICLE 5: FUND TRANSFER TO AFFECT THE TAX RATE – The Article was indefinitely postponed by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board

To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds a sum of money for the purpose of reducing the amount of money to be raised through property taxes for Fiscal Year 2022; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMMITTEE RECOMMENDS INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT

ARTICLE 6: COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT – Accepted the report of the CPC as shown below by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Community Preservation Committee

To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Community Preservation Committee; or take any action relative thereto.

CPC COMMENTS: At Town Meeting, if necessary.

ARTICLE 7: FUND LEGAL SUPPORT FOR CABLE LICENSE RENEWAL – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $25,000

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $25,000 for legal services to support the Cable Advisory Committee and the Select Board in the negotiations and license renewal proceedings for a new long-term license Agreement(s) and related documents or take any action relative thereto for a twenty-four (24) month period commencing, November 1, 2021, or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $25,000 FROM FREE CASH FOR THE PURPOSE STATED

ARTICLE 8: FIRE / EMS ORGANIZATIONAL EVALUATION – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $28,000

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $28,000 for the purpose of engaging a consulting firm to evaluate the service model that the Town employs for Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), otherwise known as “Ambulance” service, or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $28,000 FROM FREE CASH FOR THE PURPOSE STATED

ARTICLE 9: PHIPPS TUNNEL RESTORATION (PHASE I – GEOTECHNICAL) – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $9,500

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $9,500 for the purpose of a geotechnical investigation and evaluation of Phipps Tunnel or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $9,500 FROM FREE CASH FOR THE PURPOSE STATED

ARTICLE 10: CONSTRUCTION OF 9 GREEN STREET – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $300,000

To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $300,000 for the purpose of constructing a municipal parking lot at 9 Green Street with the associated professional services, stormwater management, furnishings, and landscaping costs, or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $300,000 FROM CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FUND FOR THE PURPOSE STATED

ARTICLE 11: WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $98,000

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $98,000 for permitting, design and engineering services for water main from Central Street at Gretchen Lane to existing water main in Bullard Lane along with the same permitting and design of a new water main across the existing culvert in Fiske Street; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $98,000 FROM WATER RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE PURPOSE STATED

ARTICLE 12: SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $230,000

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $230,000 for engineering and construction services to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance of the Town’s sidewalk network and ramps access points; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $230,000 FROM THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FUND FOR THE PURPOSE STATED (5-1, MR. ALFRED OPPOSED)

Gary Donlin

Resident Gary Donlin (above) took exception the FinCom’s characterization of Article 12 as having a lack of focus.  Dr. Szajda clarified that the reports guiding the sidewalk work were just recently received and will be more thoroughly reviewed before future expenditures come before Town Meeting.

ARTICLE 13: CROSSWALK SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $84,000

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $84,000 for engineering and construction services to improve crosswalk safety; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $84,000 FROM FREE CASH FOR THE PURPOSE STATED (5-1, MR. ALFRED OPPOSED)

ARTICLE 14: STORM WATER MANAGEMENT (MS4 YEAR 4) – Approved by unanimous voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board ESTIMATED COST: $90,000

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $90,000 for engineering services related to compliance with the EPA and MassDEP Municipal Storm Water Management Regulations. Funds to be used to develop regulatory mechanism assistance, operations and maintenance plan, Storm Water pollution prevention plan preparation, public education assistance, integrated GIS data collection, field work BMP inspections, phosphorous

control plan, and annual report; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE TOWN APPROPRIATE $90,000 FROM FREE CASH FOR THE PURPOSE STATED

ARTICLE 15: ROAD ACCEPTANCES: HIGHLANDS AT HOLLISTON SUBDIVISION – Approved by voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to accept, as public ways, the roads known as Mohawk Path (Sta. 39 to end), Mayflower Landing, and Indian Circle as shown on the plan entitled “Layout Plan Mohawk Path (Sta. 31+00 to end), Indian Circle and Mayflower Landing, Holliston, MA” as prepared by Guerriere & Halnon, Inc. Milford, MA dated January 20, 2020 with revisions through August 26, 2021, said plan being on file with the Town Clerk, such ways having been laid out as Town Ways by the Select Board; and further to authorize the Select Board to accept deeds for such ways, along with associated drainage and utility easements as may be shown on such plan; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AT TOWN MEETING – Recommends acceptance.

Residents Jay Leary (left) and Bruce Wood (right) asked how the remaining “punchlist” items would be enforced.  The developer has 120 days to complete the work.  If that deadline is missed the Town will not accept the deeds to the roads/easements.

ARTICLE 16: MARIJUANA ZONING – DELIVERY – Indefinitely postponed by a voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Planning Board

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaws at Sections I-E Definitions and III-G Industrial and Outdoor Uses, by making the following changes thereto by deleting the text shown as strikethrough and inserting the underlined text. Or take any other action relative thereto.

Several citizens and Town officials spoke in support and opposition to this by-law change.  Town Counsel Jay Talerman opined that this language clarified the prohibition (that is implicit in the existing by-law) of retail delivery in Holliston.  After much debate, Kate Connors moved for indefinite postponement until more can be learned about the social equity aspect of the proposed by-law.

ARTICLE 17: ESTABLISHMENT OF CANNABIS REVENUE STABILIZATION FUND – Indefinitely postponed by a ballot vote: 52 for / 36 against

SPONSORED BY: Select Board

To see if the Town will vote to establish a special purpose stabilization fund pursuant to MGL Chapter 40 Section 5B to reserve for expenditures related to (i) acquisition of tangible assets or the undertaking of capital projects which are reasonably related to local impacts related to Marijuana Establishments, drug diversion, drug prevention and drug awareness; (ii) school sponsored drug awareness programs, (iii) senior center sponsored drug awareness and utilization

plans; (iv) drug diversion and management programs; (v) drug detection or training programs; or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS FAVORABLE ACTION

Resident Blake Mensing, a cannabis lawyer, questioned whether Holliston can legally collect funds from marijuana growers, etc.  He cited a case in Haverhill where a marijuana concern is suing the city over what monies can be legally collected / spent from such an account.  The outcome of that case could impact Holliston’s plans.

ARTICLE 18: DEDICATION OF CERTAIN RECEIPTS – The sponsor recommended indefinite postponement – postponement passed by voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board

To see if the Town will vote to accept the fourth paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 5B, which allows the dedication, without further appropriation, of all, or a percentage not less than 25 percent, of particular fees, charges or receipts to a stabilization fund established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 5B, to be effective for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2022, or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS FAVORABLE ACTION

Prior to the final Article, Moderator Mayer thanked the Town officials who worked very hard to prepare the Town Meeting Warrant that made conducting the Meeting possible.  He thanked those present for surpassing the needed quorum and he was pleased by the healthy debate on the Town’s business.  Mr. Mayer mentioned earlier that his term as Moderator ends in May 2022.  He invites interested parties to talk with him to get a better understanding of what is required.

ARTICLE 19: DEDICATION OF CANNABIS RECEIPTS WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION – The sponsor recommended indefinite postponement – postponement passed by voice vote.

SPONSORED BY: Select Board

To see if the Town will vote to dedicate 100 percent of the local sales tax on the sale or transfer of marijuana or marijuana products by a marijuana retailer operating within the Town collected pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64N, section 3 and 100 percent of the community impact fees for marijuana establishments operating within the Town collected pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94G, section 3 and applicable Host

Community Agreements to the Cannabis Revenue Stabilization Fund established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 5B, to be effective for fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2022, or take any action relative thereto.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS FAVORABLE ACTION

The Meeting adjourned at 9:22pm

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