Recent Select Board Community Forums
Below is a summary of “Community Forum” discussions conducted during Select Board meetings in May and June 2022. The general format of the Forums begins with a presentation from the consultant on the topic, followed by Q&A from the Select Board and audience (at the discretion of the Chair). The Select Board holds “hybrid” meetings, meaning that a resident or stakeholder of Holliston may come in-person to Town Hall (703 Washington Street) or join via Zoom with instructions on each agenda posted on the website (see calendar function on left of main page): https://www.townofholliston.us/
In many cases, initial Community Forums are followed by additional Select Board meetings on the same topic to allow community feedback to influence these important processes and projects.
Monday, May 16, 2022
Watch a recording of the May 16th meeting HERE
Factory Pond & Houghton Pond Dams – Cost Benefit Analysis Presentation (7:00 PM Approx.) (Consultant: PARE Corp.)
Reviewing cost estimates on three (3) options for any dam in need of capital investment: (1) Repair – 25 year life, (2) Rehabilitation – 50 year life, and (3) Removal.
Highland Street Traffic Operations and Safety (8:00 PM Approx.) (Consultant: McMahon & Associates)
Assessment of traffic operations and pedestrian accommodations for Highland Street at (1) Prentice Street and (2) Hollis Street.
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
See the Full Report and Presentation HERE
Watch the recording of the Meeting HERE
Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Organizational Evaluation (Consultant: Municipal Resources Inc. – MRI)
Reviewing the manner in which Fire and EMS services are provided within the community; including review of: target hazard analysis, incident response metrics, current facility and apparatus/equipment condition, staffing models, and more.
Monday, June 6, 2022
Downtown Sewer Feasibility – Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Analysis (Consultant: Lombardo & Associates)
The ARPA Steering Group and Select Board heard and approved a request to analyze the unused capacity of the current WWTP on Linden Street, including feasibility of taking wastewater flow from other public or private users, like downtown businesses.
Monday, June 13, 2022
Update on Changes to Cannabis Industry – Including Allowance of Delivery in Holliston (Consultant: MTC– Town Counsel)
Recent changes approved by May Annual Town Meeting will be discussed with a Q&A with Town Counsel.
Monday, June 27, 2022
DPW Facility Feasibility Study – Progress Update #2 (Consultant: Weston & Sampson)
Follow up to initial presentation of findings and cost estimates was held at Public Forum on April 4, 2022 and is online:
https://www.townofholliston.us/select-board/pages/2021-2022-project-study-reports-information
Monday, July 18, 2022 - 7PM
Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Organizational Evaluation – Review & Discuss Recommendations
Follow up to May 31, 2022 presentation from consultant Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) to the Select Board. Both the presentation and the full report are available online: https://www.townofholliston.us/select-board/pages/2021-2022-project-study-reports-information
MRI was tasked with reviewing the manner in which Fire and EMS services are provided within the community; including review of: target hazard analysis, incident response metrics, current facility and apparatus/equipment condition, staffing models, and more.
Over 100 recommendations (of various scale and scope) were made in the report, and responses from staff (Fire Chief, Town Administrator, HR Director, Treasurer/Collector, Facilities Director and IT Director) will be provided to the Select Board and community for consideration as the Town looks to ensure the very best level of service is provided in these critical service areas.
Monday, August 15, 2022 - 7PM
DPW Facility Feasibility Study – Review & Discuss Site Options
Follow up to presentations from the consultant Weston & Sampson on April 5 and June 27 to the Select Board. The presentations and report are available online: https://www.townofholliston.us/select-board/pages/2021-2022-project-study-reports-information
The Feasibility study reviewed the condition of two current DPW Facilities (Arch St. and Central St.) which are well past useful life and in need of replacement, and determined the optimal facility size and layout for a combined DPW operation, before scaling back for cost effectiveness. The study considered five (5) locations and the Select Board will look for community input on these site options. Based on the Q&A from this meeting, it may not be possible for a final site selection to take place on August 15, and an additional Community Forum is therefore likely after Labor Day.