Moderator Mayer welcomed and thanked those present for achieving a quorum at 7:47pm.
Mr. Mayer recognized Select Board Chair John Cronin for the purpose of a special announcement.
Mr. Cronin reported that the Town had received final approval for a Heavy Commercial Vehicle Exclusion (HCVE) on Woodland Street from the MassDOT on Monday. A major round of applause followed.
Mr. Mayer resumed the regular order of business.
ARTICLE 21. REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
SPONSORED BY: Community Preservation Committee Total Appropriations – $65,812 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 22. TRANSFER FROM AVAILABLE FUNDS A SUM OF MONEY FOR THE STABILIZATION FUND SPONSORED BY: Select Board
This Article was INDEFINITELY POSTPONED because the Stabilization Fund is currently at a sufficient level.
ARTICLE 23. PENSION LIABILITY STABILIZATION FUND
SPONSORED BY: Select Board Estimated Cost: $43,524 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 24. REVOLVING FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING RECYCLING INITIATIVES IN TOWN
SPONSORED BY: Select Board – APPROVED
ARTICLE 25: ESTABLISH REVOLVING FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING EV CHARGING STATIONS IN TOWN
SPONSORED BY: Select Board – APPROVED
ARTICLE 26. ROAD ACCEPTANCE – SUMMITPOINTE DRIVE
SPONSORED BY: Select Board – APPROVED
ARTICLE 27. REMOVAL OF TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA RETAILERS
SPONSORED BY: Select Board – APPROVED (This Article does NOT change the prohibition of retail marijuana sales in Holliston, it is a technical clean-up of outdated language.)
ARTICLE 28. CHANGE USE REGULATIONS – SECTION 3, SECTION F
SPONSORED BY: Zoning Board of Appeals – INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
ARTICLE 29. SCENIC ROAD DESIGNATION – SOUTH STREET & KAMPERSAL ROAD
SPONSORED BY: Planning Board – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 30. EASEMENT – FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
SPONSORED BY: Select Board Estimated Cost: $51,000 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 31. BLAIR SQUARE DESIGN/ENGINEERING
SPONSORED BY: Select Board Estimated Cost: $45,000 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 32. DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURE AT 9 GREEN STREET
SPONSORED BY: Select Board Estimated Cost: $118,500 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 33. FEASIBILTY STUDY FOR DPW FACILITY
SPONSORED BY: Select Board Estimated Cost: $75,000 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 34. PUBLIC SAFETY – SIGNS & EQUIPMENT
SPONSORED BY: Select Board Estimated Cost: $21,837 – APPROVED.
ARTICLE 35. CREATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-RANGE PLAN COMMITTEE
SPONSORED BY: Citizen’s Petition – APRROVED.
Mary Greendale (above) laid out her rationale for her proposed Comprehensive Long-range Plan Committee. Her message was, “It doesn’t matter what road you’re on if you have no specific destination.” With a vision that includes citizen input, the plans of the Town’s Boards, Committees, and Department can be melded into a comprehensive plan for Holliston’s future.
ARTICLE 36. CREATE SECTION 9 OF BY-LAW CHAPTER XXVI
SPONSORED BY: Citizen’s Petition – DID NOT PASS
Petitioner Dan Alfred made his case for requiring members on Town Boards / Committees – elected and appointed – be given, and expected to use, a Town e-mail address to: protect the Town in records requests, separating personal and public messaging, increase the ability to contact Board / Committee member, and aids in inter-Board/Committee communication. Several people spoke on the motion presenting pros and cons of the proposed by-law.
It was recommended that rather than a by-law the Select Board institute an administrative policy that would provide all current / future Board / Committee members with the option to have a Town-issued e-mail address.
ARTICLE 37. AMEND BY-LAW CH. XXVI, SECTION 9
SPONSORED BY: Citizen’s Petition – INDEFENITELY POSTPONED
While the petitioning citizen was not known, Tim Maxwell (below) spoke in support of the Article by reading a message from Suzanne Nersessian who could not be present at Tuesday’s meeting.
The points presented by Mrs. Nersessian through Mr. Maxwell illustrated the potential of increasing the number of members on the Select Board from 3 to 5. Several individuals spoke in support and opposition to the Article. The consensus of those opposed was that we should wait for a more comprehensive review by the Governance Committee and the State’s Technical Assistance Bureau that will be consulting with the Town this summer.
Before adjourning, Mr. Mayer pointed out that 104 citizens had attended the meeting allowing the Town to conduct its business and that all citizens depend on a quorum to be present at all Town Meetings.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:52pm.