The school committee’s decision to create a working group represents a critical step toward improving educational infrastructure in Holliston. The group is tasked with making recommendations for a school building committee, intended to ensure diverse representation from various stakeholders, including members from both the select board and the school committee. The timeline set for providing feedback by March is ambitious, with the goal of preparing recommendations for an upcoming town meeting, particularly regarding a potential feasibility study.

The working group’s formation is seen as a vital component in Holliston’s effort to address both immediate and long-term educational infrastructure needs. Members highlighted the importance of representation from all relevant stakeholders, including public safety teams and youth and family services. The group will also provide input on the feasibility study and determine funding requests, emphasizing the need for accurate financial estimates to avoid future funding complications.

In conjunction with educational infrastructure planning, Cynthia Levnik’s recent promotion to center director was another focal point of the meeting. Having served a decade on the school committee, Levnik expressed enthusiasm for her new role, with a primary focus on addressing persistent staffing shortages. The center has been operating with a reduced staff, which has challenged service maintenance. Levnik plans to revise the outreach position and post for new staff to achieve full staffing.

Levnik emphasized the importance of developing partnerships with local organizations, highlighting a new food recovery program and an upcoming lunch program collaboration with a culinary department. These initiatives aim to support community needs, particularly in light of reduced SNAP benefits. She also discussed the introduction of an aquatics class partnership with an assisted living facility, health and safety response efforts, and plans for a community open house in the fall.

The meeting also covered the town’s water department budget, with Director Mr. Reese discussing the proposed water rates for fiscal year 2027. A motion to hold a public hearing on water rates was scheduled for February 2026, with discussions focusing on extending the tier two charge cap to three-family residences. The budget was described as having little flexibility, with increased purchase services costs attributed to liability insurance reviews. Concerns about managing capital projects to avoid disruptions were addressed, and updates on the Norfolk project for water main replacements were provided.

Public engagement was a recurring theme, with suggestions for forums and open communication strategies to facilitate community involvement. The committee expressed a collective understanding of the importance of transparency and collaboration, particularly regarding the feasibility study and long-term goals for school infrastructure.

In addition to infrastructure discussions, the meeting included updates on ongoing projects, community events, and budget processes. A successful soup bowl event organized by the local food pantry was noted, along with upcoming town elections and budget hearings. The committee also discussed changes to the Marshall Street Recycling Center’s schedule and ongoing snow removal operations.