PUBLISHER NOTE: Thank you Mary for doing this — while I’m still struggling to get the last three completed among several computer issues and site issues. Very appreciated.
The Select Board met on September 23, 2024, and began by discussing the articles on the warrant for the October 21 Annual Town Meeting. There are 26 articles but several of them need additional action by a committee or require further information. All articles must be completed by October 4, 2024, to appear on the warrant.
Among the articles that are set are several routine housekeeping measures, replacing the CAMA computer system in the Assessor’s Office, some engineering for stormwater and Houghton Pond, the climate action plan, and more. Once the warrant is complete, the Reporter will provide the list.
Pending: There are four zoning bylaw changes that are required if Holliston is to meet the MBTA 3A Zoning Act of Massachusetts. This law is designed to zone one or more areas for a minimum of 750 units high density, multi-family housing development, i.e. weighted average of 15 units per acre. The town has identified two locations: one at the Ashland line on Route 126 and one on Summer Street, also Route 126, on the way to Medway. (See map.)
The first steps are the zoning changes, and even once those changes are in place, there is no certainty that any developer will come forward with a proposal. These articles will be reviewed by the Planning Board and, if passed, they will appear on the warrant. Visit the town’s website for detailed information on the law and the processes to date.
Pending: There is an article to upgrade the Town Administrator position to a Town Manager (see website for details) with the goal of improving coordination in general and ensuring consistency in personnel practices among the many departments including those that report to independently elected boards and commissions, i.e. Parks and Recreation, Assessors, Finance Committee, Library Trustees, Board of Health, and Planning Board. SB Vice Chair Ben Sparrell will continue conversations with the library trustees and the finance committee about their concerns. The Select Board agreed that they want to strike a balance between the authority of the volunteer boards and the professional manager all with the goal of improving efficiency.
Chair Tina Hein invited interested residents to drop-by one of her “listening sessions” to share thoughts about the Manager position. She holds them before the Select Board meetings – and specifically on this topic, will be available on September 30, October 7 and October 15 from 6:00 to 6:45 pm in Room 105 of Town Hall.
Pending: The sewer project downtown is awaiting actions by the state, and Town Counsel is reviewing the proposed sewer district bylaws. This project would allow properties zoned as Village Commercial to hook-up for waste disposal at the treatment plant by Miller School. The hope is that there will be some additional commercial development with new restaurants, bakeries or services that are currently limited by septic systems.
Financial Policies
The Board approved the updated Financial Policies, which has already received the approval of the Finance Committee. The only significant change is that the minimum annual OPEB contribution is to be $1.25 million moving forward, down from $1.5 million.
In Public Comment, yours truly suggested a wordsmithing change, asked that the Board not add any responsibility that does not already exist to any board unless all boards were given the same chance, and that the board remember that the goal is to improve day-to-day efficiency and consistency of town government.
Michelle Zeamer, speaking as a resident and member of the Fin Com but not on behalf of the Finance Committee, asked that they make sure that the FinCom decides the budgetary guidelines. The budget guidelines are the first step in setting the annual spending package.
She noted that if the Finance Committee did not agree with the budget guidelines, they’d have to create a new set of guidelines and require departments to do second budget, which would not be efficient. (For further information, Town Administrator Ahern addressed this at the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday September 17, 2024 – first item on audio tape.)
Town Administrator Travis Ahern mentioned a Facebook post about the containers at the back of the parking lot behind Superette. The barrels are unfortunately mis-labeled hazardous but are not at all. They are in fact soil and debris that were removed from the 9 Green Street area as the contractor searched for hazardous materials. If they had been hazardous, they would have been removed during the remediation. The barrels were supposed to be removed by DEP today, but the hauler came with the wrong equipment.
Middle School Receives National Recognition for Excellence
Select Board Clerk Damon Dimmick offered hearty congratulations to Robert Adams Middle School on being named a National Blue Ribbon School! The school was one of 316 public schools across the country to win the award, of which only 14% were Middle Schools. In Massachusetts, Holliston was the ONLY middle school to win, and RAMS has the largest number of students. Congratulations from Holliston Reporter!
Celebration of Art
If you are free on Tuesday, the 24th between 3:30 and 5:30, join the Celebration of Art at Blair Square. Meet the artist who has painted in three different public spots – two electric boxes downtown and the doors at the Blair pavilion. Holliston received a grant from MAPC to be one of two pilot communities to promote public art. Drop by!
Board Business An event permit was given to Wipro Limited for a 5K run to start at Blair Square October 6, 2024, 8:00 a.m. to noon subject to review by the Town Administrator.
Donation – The Board accepted a donation by Lisa Zais for a bench to be placed on the “unnamed” bridge on Fiske Street, assuming it will not interfere with accessibility. The bench will be like those elsewhere in downtown.
Donation – The Board gratefully accepted a10-12-foot-tall blue spruce tree donated by the Lions Club to be planted in a suitable and sustainable location at Blair Square by Ahronian Landscaping. The tree has a value of $1,500 and the work, $1,000.
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