Pour yourself a tall cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite beverage and yes, I finished this after midnight so if you submit comments in the morning, they will be approved later 😊
Meeting opened by Town Moderator and extended thanks to resident Bob Nemet along with congratulations.
Select Board Chair Tina Hein opened with comments from Select Board. Highlights the various articles and the impact on the community and thanking various people for their efforts to put together tonight’s warrant and the articles contained therein.
Finance Committee Chair Ben Murphy then took over the podium and provided highlights of what the committee has worked on throughout the past few months. He discussed free cash (and provided an explanation of what that means). Free cash comes from the leftover budget items which were unexpended. Our current free cash is $3,042,797. He discussed the various warrant items and how they would impact free cash.
Motion made by Moderator to allow specific (names read) non-residents to speak (and specifically named certain people who live out of town) to speak at Town Meeting. Motion passed.
Article One: Raise and appropriate for General Stabilization funds of $750,000. Motion made, seconded no discussion – passed.
Article Two: Pension Stabilization Fund: $250,000 motion made, seconded, no discussion – passed.
Article Three: Capital Expenditure Fund: $1,500,000 motion made, seconded, no discussion – passed.
Article Four: Factory Pond Dam $1,000,000 from Capital expenditure Fund motion made, seconded – no discussion – passed.
Article Five: Capital Budget (vehicle replacements) $2,049,340 (see breakdown on warrant) motion made, seconded –
Comments: Dr. Theiler (sent to The Holliston Reporter by Dr. Theiler) You have heard the good news announced by Fire Chief Michael Cassidy that the Holliston Fire Department has received its Advance Life Support Ambulance Service License from the Department of Public Health and the plan to operate at the ALS Service level starting on Sept 30, 2024.
The ambulance service in Holliston has come a long way since its 2022 provisional basic service license at which time it was the only town in the Commonwealth to have a provisional basic service license. Progress began in May 2022 when the MRI study of the Holliston Fire and Ambulance Service was released. Thanks to the leadership of Town Administrator, Travis Ahern, the support of the select board and particularly John Cronin, the chair of the Select Board at that time, who navigated the more difficult aspects of the MRI study, especially the hiring of the Assistant Fire Chief, Brian Kelley, a critical person to move Holliston to Advance Life Services ambulance. Assistant Chief Brian Kelley has made remarkable improvements in our ambulance service. He accomplished in 14 months what his job description required to him to achieve in 3 years.
Appreciation goes to Chief Michael Cassidy who allowed this change in the Fire Department and who efficiently answered my many questioning emails whether the information was in his favor or not. I respect his integrity
But Holliston needs more than a license and equipment to meet the critical health needs of all the residents, from newborn to elderly we need the properly certified staff to provide the critical care. Holliston continues to rely on mutual aid from neighboring communities. The MRI report stated on page 53: “…frustration from community leaders, out of town providers and public safety personnel on scene waiting for the arrival of a mutual aid ambulance” Today when Holliston requires mutual aid from a neighboring community for what is technically called “ALS intercept” this means that “If the patient needs ALS services such as EKG monitoring, chest decompression, or I.V. therapy, another entity dispatches a paramedic to meet the BLS ambulance at the scene or once the ambulance is on the way to the hospital.”
Let us be clear Holliston continues to be reliant on neighboring communities for emergency health care because it does not have the necessary certified paramedics as evidenced by the fire logs of: Oct 4th to 10th Logs after the receipt of Holliston-s ALS license. The ambulance went out 25 times and relied upon paramedics from Ashland twice, as well as Medway and Millis to provide Advance life Support. Holliston residents in emergency health situations required the ambulance services of three neighboring communities. The log does show Holliston provided coverage to Sherborn during their 350-anniversary parade.
Oct 11th to 17th the ambulance went out 30 times and relied upon paramedics from Medway 8 times and Ashland twice. In two of those situations a second paramedic was needed. Yes, in the last week Holliston residents in emergency health situations required the help of paramedics from Medway 8 times.
It is clear Holliston needs more than a paper ALS license with all the necessary equipment and medications. Holliston needs paramedics to provide Advance Life Support certified! Holliston’s hiring plan is to not hire full time paramedics but only part time paramedics. It is time to change that plan. It would be beneficial both to the town and to the paramedics to have the same paramedics repeatedly on duty. Part-time and per-diem positions are not going to fill the void,
Chief Michael Cassidy has written: “In accordance with the license, we have an ALS provider on shift at least 8 hrs/day to start. We have three years from the issuance of the license to ensure there are ALS providers on shift 24 hours a day.” Currently Paramedics in Holliston work 12-hour shifts, some days we have paramedics working the 12-hour day shift, other days working the night shift and some days working both day and night shifts.
Let us hope that the plan is not to wait 3 years, before we actually have full time ALS service!
The residents of Holliston deserve better health care, and it is the standard of care in our region. Our tax dollars have provided the equipment and medications. The present ambulance service is like a beautiful well-equipped new hospital with not sufficient staff to provide the health care the residents need.
I invite everyone as it affects every one of you to encourage the Town administrator and Select Board to change the town plan and hire full time paramedics and To Work to achieve the paramedic staffing level of advance Life support Service required so that 24-hour ALS is available to everyone in Holliston from Holliston Ambulance Services.
No further discussion, motion passed.
Article Six: Unpaid Bills $1,871 motion made, seconded – no discussion – motion passed.
Article Seven: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adjustments – $44,345 to be transferred from the 06/2024 Supplemental Appropriation, and $6,396 from Reserve Fund – motion made, seconded
Discussion: Robert Principe questioned the funding for the strategic plan goal of DEI hiring/training, etc. These all require funding, and he does not see the line items which address these issues.
TA Ahern clarified that the May budget process accounted for this training and pointed out several people who have such certification (DEI) and explained that this would be more fully implemented in the FY2025 budget. This particular item is merely addressing adjustments which needed to be made to the overall budget and not any particular program or service. This article was merely made to address the budget shortfall to bring employees in certain areas more competitive in their salaries with similar positions in neighboring towns.
No additional discussion, motion passed.
Article Eight: Town Manager Act – motion made, seconded
Discussion: VC Sparrell speaking on behalf of the Select Board reviewed the changes that were made since May and outlined next steps (should the Act pass) and also thanked those who helped make this a priority item for the Select Board.
Jack Blais Would Holliston be better off becoming a city versus a town?
SB Chair Hein: There has been no discussion in that direction nor is this the intention of the TM Act. There are many moving pieces to make that change and SB would defer to Town Council for direction if that were the case.
Karla Alfred Representing the Library Trustees who spoke against the motion in May. Thanks to VC Sparrell and the entire SB for listening to their concerns and addressing them and therefore, the Library Trustees approve the new language.
Sam Tyler reminds residents it’s been 30 years and this has been a recommendation of the Town Governance Committee (in the 90s) – “Town has not kept pace” ….. this is de-ja-vu all over again – while not as comprehensive as other towns, this does maintain as much of the status quo as possible, only transfers SB duties to a TM. This Act should pass, it’s long past time.
End of discussion, motion passed.
Article Nine: MBTA 3A Zoning – Overlay District Motion made – seconded
Discussion: Brian Clancy President of Holliston Housing Trust – explained why this was a necessity, advised of the penalties for non-compliance, explained which sites were looked at and how they were evaluated:
The two final sites showed this:
Map of two locations:
Mr. Clancy encouraged residents to support the motion in order to ensure compliance.
Resident Ralph Finos – lives on Cedar Street and indicates there is a project going in with affordable housing in that area. Currently scheduled for 24 unit and curious as to whether they are going to change to 3A zoning? (no response from developer)
Agrees we need more affordable housing but indicates his concerns about locations and availability of sufficient septic and lack of sewers which would hamper the development of multiple units in these locations.
Made an amending motion to remove Jeffrey from the mix of housing due to the existing construction.
SB Chair Hein indicated that only 25 percent of the 24 homes will be “affordable” and indicates that there are potentially other constraints on the property which would alter the “minimum/maximum units”.
Jack Blais – would it behoove Holliston to wait until the outcome of the current litigation about this issue since it could theoretically go all the way to the Supreme Court? Would we be better off waiting for the litigation to settle?
Town Counsel Jay Tallerman – no litigation or pending litigation would help Holliston avoid the issue of needing to act before December 31 (this is unlikely to rise to the US Supreme Court since it does not involve any “Constitutional” issues. Avoiding deciding on this before 12/31 could result in substantial financial losses (grants, etc.) that Holliston could be missing out on if we do not pass this. If the State Supreme Court rules in favor of the town which is currently opposing this (unlikely) then at Spring Town Meeting we’d be looking to rescind this approval.
Moderator Mayer – any further discussion on the motion to amend?
Cecille Freilich – expressed her concern that a larger development is problematic for both water pressure issues as well as egress (only one road in/out). Please look at other options because this is very disruptive.
Principal Assessor Kevin Rudden – Amendment Lots go from A – Z not A – S – that’s a correction to the amendment. There are 26 lots, not 24.
Michelle Zeamer – if we remove Jeffries can we still remain in compliance?
TA Ahern – yes, Laura and Brian are both signaling yes.
Brian Goodman – can the overlay be on currently developed lots for redevelopment (asking of Mr. Clancy) – and can the footprint be extended/modified at future town meetings?
Laura Smead Community Planner – understand that 207 units can’t be built due to sewer restrictions. However, that said, the plan can certainly be extended if needed.
Dan Alfred – does removing Jeffreys preclude the 40B (answer is no).
TA Ahern – the motion is to remove Jeffreys because the abutters do not want to go through another process!
Lisa Brown – Why was this included?
SB Chair Hein – this was based on community feedback. In addition, it’s about risk and what’s good for Holliston. We’re expecting the best options so when we send to the Commonwealth we stand a better chance of being in compliance.
Voting on amendment: amendment passed – Jeffrey is removed from mix.
SB Chair Hein: redefining boundaries as reflected on a map displayed at the meeting (changes could not be identified for photo purposes).
Counsel Tallerman read the amended motion to avoid confusion (very technical) – motion seconded motion – motion passed.
Vote on original amendment with modifications – including both amendments – motion passed.
Article Ten: MBTA 3A Zoning By-Law Consistency – motion made, seconded
Discussion: Town Counsel Tallerman – prior bylaw and other components which have to be amended to accommodate the consisstency of the bylaws (housekeeping)
No further discussion – motion passed.
Article Eleven: Zoning ByLaw Accessory Dwelling Units – motion made, seconded, no discussion – passed.
Article Twelve: Zoning By Law Penalties – motion made, seconded,
Discussion Dr. Ken Szajda article seems to have contradictory language regarding written warnings.
Sponsor of Amendment Barbara Peatie – this was a typo. First offense is a written warning and subsequent offenses are $300. This would be giving the Building Inspector the tools to deal with violators.
No further discussion – motion passed unanimously.
Article Thirteen: Sewer Commission Adoption – motion made and seconded
Discussion TA Ahern – what we’re doing and not doing
This is simply a step forward (concept)
Ultimately:
Town meeting approves all funds, not approved any other way. This would be an opt in this gives the Town a framework to see if this is warranted. (Estimated May 2025)
Jack Blaise – reminds residents of how long it’s been since sewers have been proposed in Holliston! Recommends voting down.
No further discussion – motion passed.
Article Fourteen: Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) System Replacement – motion made – motion seconded $115,000 from free cash – No discussion – motion passed.
Article Fifteen: Licensed Site Professional (LSP) Services – $45,000 (for Green Street) – from free cash – motion, seconded – motion passed.
Article Sixteen: Storm Water Management & Engineering (MS4) – Appropriate $130,000 from free cash – motion made, seconded, motion passed.
Article Seventeen: Houghton Pond Dam Design/Engineering – $90,000 from free cash – motion made, seconded, motion passed.
Article Eighteen – Climate Action Plan – motion made to appropriate $60,000 from free cash – motion seconded, passed.
Article Nineteen – Matching grant funds related to design improvements of Whitney Street and Washington Street – motion made to appropriate $50,000 from free cash, motion seconded, passed.
Article Twenty: Non-Voter speaking authorization at Town Meeting – motion made, and seconded.
Discussion Robert Principe in favor of amendment but would like to amend the motion to eliminate “at the discretion of the moderator” and further moves that “non-voter” not be “segregated” during Town Meetings. Motion is seconded.
Dawn Hammond is in favor but indicates her concern is that nothing in the language indicates a person must be a town resident which potentially allows anyone to come to town meeting for disruptive purposes. Feels this should be left up to the Town Moderator as in the original language.
Town Counsel Tallerman indicates the amendments are outside the amendment (11th) which is being suggested and while they may be loosely related, they are not the amendment under discussion and the Moderator should use their discretion.
Town Moderator decided that it should be considered.
Tracy McSherry – clarifies that the “segregation” is non-voters not non-residents.
Dr. Ken Szajda – we do not need to change this – if a proper reading of the state’s open meeting laws are read, the Moderator already has discretion. Furthermore, it is not the task of the town meeting to give directions to the SB to look at rules, but rather for the SB to set our policies. It makes no sense because it potentially could conflict with the laws of the Commonwealth. Makes a motion to indefinitely postpone the article since it is unnecessary.
Motion to indefinitely suspend and seconded:
Discussion Walter McLennan in favor of indefinite postponement. Supporting postponement.
Laurie Markoff a non-voting residents should be able to speak a town meeting, and they should be able to sit anyplace not be segregated from the rest of the participants and would be more inclusive.
TA Ahern stated agrees with VC Dr. Szajda that the amendment IS in the state bylaws BUT our intention was to be deliberate in stating this outright. It would be more influential in practice and would be thoroughly voiced to town members, which is why it was brought up in the first place.
Town Counsel Tallerman states our bylaws are completely compliant with state laws. It could be a logistics problem for the clerk to not segregate non-voters.
Mr. Principe indicates all points brought up were valid, his intention is to simply point out that yes, it may be difficult but we as a town should be more inclusive. In some other towns non-citizen residents have been able to vote in local elections and serve on some boards. Keep in mind, this is a larger issue which we cannot solve where it exists, but we CAN make a difference in our own community.
Vote on Motion to Postpone: motion passed.
Article Twenty-One: Goodwill Park renovations – motion for $1.7 from Community Preservation reserve – motion seconded – no discussion – motion passed.
Article Twenty-Two: Open Space Acquisition (Adams Street) – motion for $35,000 open space acquisition fund – motion seconded –
Discussion Alix Carey showed maps of property indicated it would encourage trail use, indicated the funds can ONLY be used for open space and this fits the bill.
Motion passed
Article Twenty-Three: Water Meter Replacement (Supplemental) – motion for $200,000. Motion seconded
Discussion: Mr. Blais – we’re paying fees for water meter replacements annually – where is all this money going?
TA Ahern the replacement account currently has $910,000 but because of changes in technology we need additional funding for total replacement (residential and commercial). Keep in mind, the fees we collect amount to about $180K annually, which builds up so when we do replace we don’t have to hit taxpayers with higher rates. We have not always replaced the full town but we DO replace as they break/become unviable, etc.
Article Twenty-Four: Water Main Replacement Design & Construction — motion to allocate $600,00 from water infrastructure fee – seconded – no discussion
Motion to adjourn
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