Holliston Addresses Town Manager Role and Budget Concerns
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
05/13/2024
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Recording Published:
05/13/2024
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Duration:
268 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Holliston
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent session, Holliston School Committee meeting focused on the proposed transition to a town manager form of government, which was met with discussion and concerns regarding the pace and clarity of the proposal. The discussion revealed a divide among committee members and residents, with some advocating for more time to consider the proposal’s implications and others emphasizing the need for professionalization and improved accountability. The committee ultimately voted for indefinite postponement, with a narrow vote of 127 in favor and 121 against. This decision underscored the community’s desire for a review and consideration of the significant change in town governance.
The meeting also delved into the town’s financials, revealing a budget shortfall of $3 million. To address the shortfall, actions included reducing budget requests by $1.3 million, using $750,000 from the stabilization fund, decreasing capital appropriation by $650,000, and reducing the OPEP contribution by $250,000. Despite these measures, the school committee recommended an operational budget of $41,847,157. This proposed budget aimed to maintain the level of service expected by the town while exercising fiscal discipline.
The enforcement of commercial heavy vehicle exclusions was another hot-button issue, with the select board proposing a $300 fine per incident to address neighborhood concerns. The article was carefully worded to avoid conflicts with existing bylaws and the finance committee, and after discussion, the motion to accept and adopt the bylaws amendment passed.
The select board’s report included updates on various projects, such as the DPW facility, Woodland Street bridge, downtown sewers, and the Marshall Street solar project, along with the hiring of a new Economic Development coordinator. The committee also discussed the allocation of opioid settlement money, with proposals to invest these funds in strategic initiatives to combat the opioid epidemic.
A discussion on the town’s fire department and the concept of privatizing it prompted a resident to speak out in defense of the cultural significance of volunteer fire departments in New England. This led to a broader conversation about the importance of maintaining traditions and investing in community needs such as special education and substance abuse programs.
The planning board faced scrutiny from a resident regarding its approach to public hearings and its impact on business development. A motion to reduce the planning board’s budget by $50,000 was debated but ultimately voted down.
Debate over various departmental budgets ensued, with inquiries into specific line items such as compensation for trash energy conversion and the impact of budget amendments on essential services. The committee approved various budget allocations.
The town’s water meter rental fees were questioned by a resident, leading to an explanation of the fees’ purpose in funding the replacement of water meters and the investment strategy to earn interest on the accumulated funds.
Additional topics included the allocation of funds for golf course improvements, town official compensation, unpaid bills from prior years, and current fiscal year transfers. The committee addressed the need for Advanced Life Services and the financial impact of ambulance services on taxpayers.
Articles involving the transfer of funds for outdated liens, the regulation of industrial vehicles, library construction grant matching funds, the Community Preservation Committee’s budget for fiscal year 2025, the acceptance of Rebecca Lane as a public way, and the lease authorization for cellular towers on town-owned property were all discussed and voted upon.
Dr. Susan Kustka
School Board Officials:
Daniel Alfred, Dawn Neborsky, Amanda Bigelow, Sarah Fitzgerald, Minnie Gupta, Lisa Kocian, Cynthia Listewnik
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
05/13/2024
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Recording Published:
05/13/2024
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Duration:
268 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Holliston
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