The Policy Advisory Committee emphasized the importance of developing a partnership with the town’s leadership to advance policies and procedures through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens. The committee, which has been active since March of the previous year, has faced challenges in maintaining engagement due to the loss of members, shrinking from five to three. They noted that only one of the departed members was from the school committee. Currently, the committee is seeking support from the select board to establish a clearer framework for their tasks and to identify potential new appointees from the community to bolster their efforts.

The committee members discussed their scope of work, which includes reviewing existing policies and making recommendations to relevant boards and departments. They sought guidance on which specific policies or procedures to focus on first, particularly in terms of involving town departments in their reviews. Differing perspectives were offered, with some members advocating for a broader approach that includes direct interaction with departments to assess equity in services and programming, while others cautioned against overextending their scope.

Community engagement was a focal point, with a proposal to create a liaison between the select board and the PAC to ensure better communication and collaboration. This idea was presented as a future agenda item, with the suggestion that such appointments usually occur in June after town elections. The need for proactive communication to counter misinformation and to ensure that community policies reflect diverse needs was emphasized. The committee expressed enthusiasm for an upcoming small business diversity event and requested a time slot at the upcoming town meeting in May for educational outreach.

The discussion also highlighted the need for a two-stage approach to community engagement, beginning with informal conversations in the town meeting lobby and followed by a structured presentation at a future meeting. This strategy aims to establish a presence in the community and build trust and understanding among residents about the committee’s work.

In addition to the PAC’s initiatives, the meeting covered updates on DEI training for municipal officials and volunteer committee members, with sessions being formulated for implementation by June 30. A proposal from equity inclusion specialists is under review, with training options tailored for both employees and volunteer members to align with Holliston’s strategic plan.

The meeting also touched on the town’s groundwater protection regulations. A subcommittee is working to update the wellhead protection bylaw to align with the regulations of surrounding towns. The current bylaw was described as outdated, prompting discussions on potential revisions that would not impose undue burdens on stakeholders. The subcommittee is considering integrating actions from comparable towns into Holliston’s bylaw and evaluating how new regulations would affect areas already designated for specific uses.

Moreover, the meeting addressed the transition from elected to appointed positions and the accrual of sick and vacation time for employees working less than 19 hours a week, with a consensus to revisit these items in the fall. The committee also discussed the Jasper Hill open space purchase, which is under consideration by the Open Space Committee after a previous purchase fell through. The conversation included considerations about how this purchase might be funded, either through Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds or the Open Space trust.

Finally, the meeting concluded with updates on community events, such as a tree-planting event organized by the House and Garden Club to honor a respected town member. The event is scheduled for April 25, with plans to include speeches and refreshments. Additionally, there were updates on the school building committee’s formation and feasibility funding discussions, with a working group meeting scheduled for March 4.