Why CLRPC Was Created

The Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee was created from a Citizen's Petition at the May 2021 Spring Town Meeting. 

This petition was born out of a conversation that has been going on in silos across Town boards and committees for the past several years. The goal of the petition was to have Town Meeting (the townspeople) own this initiative and see it through to fruition.  

The Town needs a Vision and out of that vision, one comprehensive plan that links together the policies, plans and studies from the many boards and committees.

The vision needs to be developed with active participation of all Hollistonians via surveys, forums, and any other methods that the CLRPC puts together.

Below is taken directly from the May 2021 Town Meeting warrant:

ARTICLE 35. CREATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE LONG RANGE PLAN COMMITTEE SPONSORED BY: Citizen’s Petition To see if the town will vote to authorize the creation of a Comprehensive Long-Range Planning Committee to develop “Envisioning Future Holliston,” a Vision Statement, as Phase 1 of a Comprehensive Long-Range Plan that will guide government and other local actions for the next 10 to 15 years and will protect Holliston’s assets and character, enhance its quality of life and balance Town needs with the ability to pay, or take any relative thereto. 

COMMENTS: Future Holliston: Envision, Plan, Act To see if the Town will vote to authorize the creation of a Comprehensive Long-Range Planning Committee to develop the “Envisioning Future Holliston,” a Vision Statement, as Phase 1 of a Comprehensive Long-Range Plan that will guide government and other local actions for the next 10 to 15 years and will protect Holliston’s assets and character, enhance its quality of life and balance Town needs with the ability to pay. The CLRPC would release the “Envisioning Future Holliston” Report one month prior to Annual Town Meeting in 2022 and at that Town Meeting would present a proposal for funding to develop the full Comprehensive Plan to implement the Vision.


 The CLRPC shall - 

  • Review the Town’s existing studies, plans, and reports.
  • Itemize goals and objectives from the various sources including policies.
  • Research relevant demographic data. 
  • Identify and utilize software that assembles and presents all that information as the basis for a townwide discussion of the Vision and Goals for Future Holliston. 

The CLRPC shall -

  • Utilize forums, surveys and other means to conduct an extensive, inclusive, and creative public engagement, communications and education campaign to gather input from officials, residents, property owners, and businesses.
  • They will build consensus within the community, across multiple populations, groups, and stakeholders. 

The Envisioning Future Holliston will identify goals that have been met, goals that will move forward and new goals to include in the Comprehensive Plan. The CLRPC will present its report and recommend how to complete the Comprehensive Long-Range Plan and define goals, objectives and measures.

The Vision is to be aspirational and not bound by the realities of finances. The final plan will account for the financial implications. 

The CLRP Committee shall be composed of 17 members, one designee (not necessarily members of the Board/Committee) from each of the following: the Planning Board, Select  Board, Housing Trust, Council on Aging, Finance Committee, Historic Commission, Natural Resources (Open Space, Sustainability, Conservation), Parks Commission, Rail Trail Committee, Youth & Family Services, Public Works, Schools, public health, economic development, and Library Trustees.

The Committee shall report to the Town Administrator. The CLRPC shall be a standing Committee with the responsibility for scheduling periodic updates and monitoring outcomes, according to a process to be determined with the Town Administrator.