In attendance: VC Ben Sparrell, Clerk Damon Dimmick, Town Administrator Travis Ahern
Information Technology Updates – Chris Meo, IT Director (votes anticipated)
Upper Town Hall – Technology Fee Schedule
IT Director Meo joined the SB at the table and discussed equipment upgrades which have been implemented due to the town’s embrace of hybrid meetings. These systems are complicated and require a technician to make them available (particularly sound in Upper Town Hall areas where sound is bad). Since IT does not have the budget to make someone available for “non-town” meetings, they are proposing a charge for an IT person to be there.
Motion made by Clerk Dimmick and 2nd by VC Sparrell to accept the fee schedule. Motion passed.
Municipal Fiber Project – Contract Award to MTP Communications, Inc.
In 2004 when Comcast got out of municipal services, we connected many town facilities. We received a $138,000 grant to extend to reach more areas we are proposing the following:
There are some discussion about the bidders where one group has been going door to door stating the bidding process was handled poorly. The town is prepared to go to the AG if necessary.
Motion made by Clerk Dimmick to approve the contract, 2nd by VC Sparrell, motion passed.
Housing Production Plan (HPP) Approval of Draft Document (vote anticipated)
TA Ahern briefly touched on all aspects of the Housing Production Plan, you can find the information he covered here: https://www.townofholliston.us/home/news/housingproduction-plan-information
Video is up on the website and the video is divided into two pieces which can be found on the above link.
There are seven districts which have been discussed and those will be further discussed at the October Town Meeting – the plans should be reviewed carefully to meet the requirements for HPP.
There will be a narrowing of the decision about which zone works best and there are multiple parties working together with the consultant to define the best location at which time public feedback will be gathered.
Paid for partially by DHCD grant which closes June 30, 2024, Select Board and Planning Board to approve draft prior to submission
Clerk Dimmick made a motion to approve the plan, VC Sparrell seconded, and motion passed.
Clerk Dimmick:
- All town departments will be closed July 4th and 5th
- Trash and recycling will also be delayed
- Celebrate Holliston book is on display in Town Hall
VC Sparrell – thanks everyone who attended special town meeting (411 people) and to the staff members who helped.
Weekly Warrant(s) – A/P & Payroll
Clerk Dimmick made a motion to approve the warrant, 2nd by VC Sparrell, motion passed.
TA Ahern reminded SB that as of July 1 there will be two warrants. (FY 24 and FY 25)
Comments from the Town Administrator
Mayflower Landing parking area nearly complete:
Sidewalk area on Washington Street is nearly complete as well (Cole Court Area)
Central Street will start in July and will be complete in August.
Bench on Fiske Street questions have been answered and that will be on 7/1 agenda.
Blair Square for Mass Trails Grant ($53,000 grant awarded). This is for renovations and on Tuesday for the Tree City USA plaque:
Board Business
- Event Permit outdoor concert August 17, 2024 Blair Square 6:00 p.m. (Celebrate Holliston Event). Making arrangements for overflow parking (Adams, Miller and Placentino) as well as lot behind the fire station. Multiple musicians from out of town coming in who will require parking as well. The HPD will coordinate with the committee.
Motion for event permit made by Clerk Dimmick, and seconded by VC Sparrell, motion passed.
- Event Permit baseball tournament July 13, 2024, Stoddard Park starting at 10:00 a.m. (holding off on this due to Parks Meeting)
- Event Permit Lions’ Club summer carnival July 10th through July 13, 2024 Wednesday and Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and fireworks at 10:00 p.m. at the high school
- Event Permit softball tournament and retirement party July 4, 2024 at Kampersal Field starting at 2:00 p.m.
- Event Permit July 4th laser light show at high school at 8:30 p.m.
- Event Permit Historical Society Strawberry Festival (June 23, 2023) starting at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
All event permits passed on individual motions by Clerk Dimmick and 2nd by VC Sparrell.
Appointments: Brian Kelley, Assistant Fire Chief, Lisa Borchetta, Senior Center Director, Justine Grassey, Animal Control, Tina Hein, MAPC Representative, MetroWest Regional Collaborative, and the Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees with a term to expire June 30, 2025
Clerk Dimmick made a motion to approve all appointments, 2nd by VC Sparrell, passed