Select Board Advances Tax Increment Financing Plan to Town Meeting

The Holliston Select Board met on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, with Chair Ben Sparrell calling the meeting to order at just past 7:00pm to tackle what he described as an “interesting agenda.”

Representatives from the New England Appliance Group (NEAG) met with the Select Board to finalize work on a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for a proposed 550,000 sq. ft. warehouse, headquarters, and training facility in the Hopping Brook Industrial Park.

This meeting is the culmination of several discussions in which Mr. Cronin, Mr. Ahern, and Principal Assessor Kevin Rudden met with Town Counsel and representatives from NEAG to arrive at what was described by all parties as a mutually agreeable TIF.

All parties present at the table complimented the way the two parties collaborated in a transparent manner throughout the dialogue.

Mr. Bowen, bottom right, that NEAG will be committing approximately $100 million to build the facility which will be the company’s home for years to come.  NEAG is a buying cooperative that supports appliance stores with access to brand new goods at bulk price discounts.  Mr. Bowen described the operation as a family environment that wants to be a full partner with the town.

Mr. Ahern outlined the proposed agreement with the slides below.

Below far left, Principal Assessor Mr. Rudden shared the combined sentiment of the Board of Assessors that this was a good thing for Holliston that encourages business development for the community.

Below far left, Mrs. Deb Moore added her support to moving forward with the agreement as a sign to the business community that Holliston encourages new businesses to move to town.

Mr. Sparrell opened up the question period to the approximately twenty-five people joining via Zoom.  There were no comments regarding the proposed TIF.

The Board voted unanimously to support the advancement of the TIF to the next step which is for a vote at the October Town Meeting and submission for State approval later in the year.  All parties left the meeting feeling good about the seamless way this agreement has come to this point in time.

Warrants: The Board approved the weekly warrant totaling -> $429,762.28

Public Comment:

• Mrs. Hein:
  • Congratulated Diane Lynch and Jackie Napolitano who recently retired from their jobs in the Town Hall
  • Senior Fall Fair is THIS Saturday, -> https://hollistonreporter.com/2022/09/senior-center-fall-fair-and-other-september-events/
  • American Legion Post 47 holding the annual 9/11 awards THIS Sunday -> https://hollistonreporter.com/2022/09/american-legion-post-47-announces-annual-9-11-awards-ceremony/
  • The Select Board is hosting a Bike and Listening Tour – find out more here -> Bike / Listening Tour September 18. 2022
  • State Senate President Spilka is hosting her annual health fair -> https://hollistonreporter.com/2022/09/senate-president-karen-spilkas-health-and-wellness-fair-to-serve-active-seniors-and-their-families/
• Mr. Cronin:
  • Thanked Ahronian Landscaping and Design for their “low cost” work around the Town Hall
  • He encouraged everyone to get to the Senior Fall Fair early to get the best items
• Mr. Sparrell:
  • THIS Sunday is Holliston Farms Day.  Holliston is a “right to farm” community.  Support our local farmers
  • Envisioning Future Holliston is finalizing the data from the recently closed survey – a Public Forum (Upper Town Hall and Zoom) TENTATIVELY set for September 14, 2022, at 7:00pm  Look for confirmation shortly.
• Public: None

Preparation for Oct. 17, 2022, Town Meeting Warrant (open thru Sept. 19, 2022, at 4pm)

Mr. Ahern shared an early DRAFT of the Fall Town Meeting warrant.  The list is shown below and is subject to change.

The highlighted article was discussed by the Select Board and feels that the article should be brought before Town Meeting.  Work will continue to flesh out the article language and clarify financial numbers in the coming weeks.

Comments from Town Administrator:

Mr. Ahern had no specific updates beyond his work on the TIF and Town Meeting Warrant.

But it is important to let everyone know that the most recent “Holliston Hometown Newsletter” is now available on the Town website – >Holliston Fall Town Newsletter

Board Business: The Board took the following actions:

• Appointed Dennis Giombetti to the MWRC seat on Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Appointed Sue Nersessian to the Governance Committee – (thru June 30, 2023)
• Appointed Deola Phair (below) to Youth Advisory Committee – (thru June 30, 2023)

• Appointed the following to the newly re-organized Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) – (all thru June 30, 2023):
  • Public Safety: Ofc. Charles Grace, Traffic Safety Officer
  • Public Works: Robert Walker, Deputy DPW Director (Highway Superintendent)
  • Public Schools: Stacey Raffi, School Committee Member
  • Resident (Engineering): Jared Lindros, M.S. in Systems Engineering
  • Resident (At-Large): (Mr. Ahern has two candidates who have expressed interest in filling the vacancy)
• Approved the minutes August 1, 2022, meeting
• Approved a One Day Alcoholic Beverage License Event in Upper Town Hall on September 17, 2022.  Mr. Cronin noted that a recent party in the UTH resulted in damage to the new flooring.  He asked Mr. Ahern to review the rental fee charged to be sure that it could cover future repairs following such damage.

Other Business:

• Mrs. Hein inquired of Mr. Ahern as to the status of the Town’s acceptance of Indian Ridge South as a Town road so that approved No Parking signs can be installed.
• Mr. Cronin thanked the Town Clerk’ team and the Holliston voters who turned out for making the State Primary election a success.

The meeting adjourned at 8:17pm.