Good evening, Hollist. Welcome to the December 22nd uh meeting of the select board. We have uh an action-packed agenda. And to get started, we have a special uh commemoration, I suppose you could say. Um and I just wanted to
invite up Haley Petro, um who's the coach of the uh the cheerleaders who were uh at a national championship. Can you just tell us a little bit about um what happened and introduce them? Yeah, >> great. So, I'm Haley Petro. I'm one of
the coaches. There's three of us um with this 12U squad. We have four squads with Hollist Youth Cheer. This year, our 12U, which are made up of fifth and sixth graders, um, started practicing July 28th and really started right from the, you know, close to the end of the summer
and they practiced the entire summer and then the school year and were able to advance to nationals, which is a huge accomplishment. They had to make it through four competitions. Um they started at locals in October and then they went to states and then they went to regionals in Connecticut and then we
went to nationals where we had to compete twice to make it into the final round which they weren't eliminated which was amazing. And so out of 15 teams at nationals that were eligible uh they came in fifth place and so we were so proud of them. >> That is absolutely amazing. Congratulations.
>> That's so wonderful. Um, so, um, you're not on our agenda, but we wanted to give you an opportunity to, um, we wanted to say congratulations. I see if Tina and Damon have anything they want to add. >> Well, um, it's a big group. We'd love a photo op. I wonder if we could have all
the team line up under here to get a >> Sure. We could do that. >> And if I could, real quick, so the shirts they're all wearing, I want to just note we were so amazed. We had 32 businesses, small businesses, larger businesses in town that supported our team. They came in within a week um and
hugely supported us and so we put together a sponsor t-shirt which we have here and we have one for each of you. Um and then we wore on check-in day and really tried to highlight throughout our time in Florida those businesses that supported us and and really jumped to the call so quickly. >> Wonderful. >> Thanks. >> Damon, anything?
>> Yeah, I've been following on online. There's been lots of posts. It's really really incredible and I still owe you a word of thanks anyway for uh for some past help. So this is really incredible. I mean, >> for a small town like Hollist to make it this far shows a lot of great team Hutzo. You guys are incredible. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks. It's great. >> Congratulations. And why don't you >> Awesome. >> You know, come on up and we're just going to mute for a second just so that way we can >> get ourselves organized here. >> Come either way around the table if you like. >> Move the chairs.
Is there anyone else in the hallway? >> I think. >> All right, let's see. Oh, sorry. >> I am not important this equation at all. >> Thank you. One more guys. >> Awesome. >> Awesome.
>> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Great job. >> Nice job, ladies. >> Congratulations. >> Bye. Thank you so much. I appreciate >> you. Happy holiday. >> Happy holiday. Yeah. Happy holidays. >> Happy holidays. Happy everything. >> Still owe you a job. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Are you free now?
>> I am right now. I'm free. Yeah. >> Between now and like, you know, >> just making sure we're set up for coming in here. How many? >> I'm thinking at least four.
>> Well, I know there's three of them here. Four. There's at least four here. I think Hillary started. Uh I said 10 I said 10 minutes and it was five. Um we're going to get started on our agenda. And what are you doing here?
>> Don't worry, I got control my own house. >> Okay, fair enough. Fair enough. Uh so uh why don't uh whoever wants to come up preferably all of you can come on up. We'll make uh make room here so we can have a conversation. I know you guys posted for tonight. You can come on up.
The school committee is here and the superintendent as well. >> We don't have anyone on the Zoom. >> Okay. >> We from the school committee we Dr. Jordan and Mr. L. >> Yeah. come on up and just uh just be
aware of uh microphones and um just before we get started um uh everybody could just introduce themselves because your backs often will be to the audience so people will know who is here and I see a couple other people here too that we can introduce as well. So uh just go
through and introduce yourselves so they can know who you are. Dan Albert, >> Tracy Fletcher, Hillary Breahan, >> Sarah Fitzgerald, >> Susan Kuska, >> Frank Ogor, >> and we have David Jordan and David Liss on the call.
And uh good evening everyone. >> Thank you all for for being here tonight. We're um uh excited about the news that we got from the uh Massachusetts School Building Authority, the MSBA, that uh Hollison has been invited into the eligibility period. Uh
you know, it's like the the pre-dance dance before the dance. Um and uh and so we uh uh wanted to invite everybody here to start a conversation to talk about some of these things because this is a townwide
uh effort. And so having um the select board and the school committee talking and making sure that we're all uh on the same page I think is important uh throughout this process. So um I think just to to start out um you know like
first thing I'll say it too is right now we're not going to be looking for public comment tonight from people. I mean certainly at that time they certainly can interject at the time for public comment they can interject but we're not going to be looking for people to uh speak up during this uh conversation there will be plenty of opportunities.
This is going to be years of conversations probably people will get sick of talking about it but uh we're excited that uh we're getting started on everything. Um so to start out here, I know um uh one of the things that we had that that's going on is we're in the
prep period for module one as I understand it and um working with the MSBA. I know uh David Jordan had spoken to um the uh point person and um I just
wanted to sort of kick it to him just for now to sort of understand a little bit about cuz there I know there's some questions on like what we can do because it's early um and there's certain things that we have to wait for the eligibility period but I know he had some conversation and I'd just like to sort
of hear from him about what kinds of things like they uh he had talked to them about as potential um starting off for the next few months because our eligibility period begins on June 1st, 2026. So David, if you could just give us a
little context of some of that conversation you had with uh the MSBA on some of the things that we can talk about and we can get started on now. Yeah, I mean a few of us um including some of the folks in in the room uh were
at the kind of initial kickoff that was on the 16th um which was pretty much a a pretty generic overview of of the process. Uh but coming out of that is we did lo learn who um our project coordinator is with the MSBA who is
Julia Long. Uh but also um the if if there was potential interest from the town pursu pursuing uh a feasibility study or feasibility study funding uh before um our eligibility period begins on June 1st um that uh reach out to them
and have a have a conversation as far as that. So, um I did speak to Julia. Um they they did MSBA did indicate that we can um town of Hollist can uh pursue um eligibility uh feasibility u funding uh
before the June 1st eligibility period begins. Um the their guess their one caveat is that um we keep them kind of in the loop on that process. um and they have some kind of template language they uh prefer to be used for
um for votes for warrants um but just kind of keep them part of the process to make sure everything kind of runs um smoothly for them. They they also said that um you know the the town is more than welcome to kind of uh put together
a school building committee um and kind of have that uh before the eligibility period begins. Uh but um they can't uh the committee cannot turn in or complete any of the um the the kind of first
requirements that we have to turn in um uh yet. So a once the eligibility period begins, um I think our first due date of things is kind of in that work first 60 days and and uh oh think we lost David Dr. Jordan.
>> Okay. Um so uh we can um pivot slightly. Um >> I do have I'll have a question for him. >> Sure. folks at the table who know the answer. >> You cannot turn in or complete any of the objectives yet. >> Okay. >> Actually says that it's far. >> Okay.
>> Um so we lost you for a second there, uh Dr. Jordan. So um but we yeah, we we get the the gist that there's a um um there's we have to do certain things at certain times and of we have to do a lot of the stuff during the eligibility
period. Um but one of the things that we can get ahead of is um if we wanted to set aside money um appropriate money for feasibility study in May before the eligibility period we were we could do so provided we use the right language
and the right um approach to it. Um, so but, um, I know Tina has a question, but I wanted to say just sort of like I want this to be a conversation, so if anybody has something I don't want this to be, you know, I I'm certainly talking a lot and I apologize, but um, you know, any
additions or questions or stuff like that, we can certainly have that. And there's a couple things that I think we need to get out of the way and start on tonight. Um, but, um, I know Tina has a question. If anyone else wants to ask or interject to Dr. Jordan, we can do that at this time. Uh yeah, Dr. Jordan, just
if we could circle back around to the first comment that you made about we could advance forward with to seek feasibility funding. Could you just provide just a little bit of detail on that? You're talking about raise and appropriate through action at town meeting as opposed to uh grant funding through the MSBA program.
>> Correct. Yeah. So um the first kind of funding uh portion is the feas fe feasibility and schematic design and that is something that the town uh self-funds the reimbursement happens on the back
end uh the the end the end of the entirety of the project um is where that there there are different funding cycles that okay uh that happen throughout the course of the project. Uh but the feasibility study is something that we we selfund but that is reimburseable at whatever percentage they end up
identifying for us. >> It all just gets >> into the total >> pushed together into the total so they cut you a check for half of it at some point but >> got it comes back. >> Yes. Um Sarah as the chair do you want to say anything before we get into things?
>> We don't have anything right now. I'm gonna >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, I think like one of the things that I think we need to do here, I mean, I think, you know, we want to talk about a little bit about a school building committee. Um, obviously we're not build building that right now, but I think we
need to be looking at some of what that consists of and what um what that looks like for everybody. Um, and we have we have a little bit of runway to get there because I think it's 60 days after the um we're invited into the per in uh eligibility period. we would have to
name it and identify the people who are involved. Um, but we can start talking about it and thinking about it now and what that looks like. Um, and I think the other thing I'd like to sort of talk about too is I know David started off, you know, talking to the MSBA is like,
are we comfortable having David sort of be like for now until we have a school building committee be like the person that we can talk to like um because I think it's I personally think it's a good idea and please interject if if I'm speaking out of turn here that we kind of centralize like communications from
people in town so we're not inundating this MSBA person with questions and like in that way there's one person who kind of has the answer. So if we, you know, anybody has a question, we can go to him and and talk it through. Is that reasonable to everybody to to to say
that? I think that is, but you know, anybody has another >> makes sense. I I think that you work closely with with with Frank and make sure that both sides and everyone are >> Yes, absolutely. >> No, absolutely. Absolutely. I think uh Frank and David have certainly conversed
about this in the past, too. So, um, Frank, do you have any I think you had some materials you said to kick off to talk about? >> Yeah, I mean, we've talked through a little bit of them already. I basically just have the sort of the calendar of events that we need to uh the major deliverables that we'll need to um
complete by February 26, 2027 in order to get to module two, eight, I think, >> eight or nine or something like that. Yeah. >> Um, so, uh, Ben, you just mentioned, you know, we'll need to have the school building committee in place by July 31st of this year. Um
uh and then there'll be a number of sort of like elements more school focused tasks that will need to be completed uh before the end of the summer. >> Okay. >> Um >> but I think we could form the school or you could select board action could form a school building committee beforehand
and they have to be formalized again after the eligibility period. Alternatively, if people weren't comfortable with that, I mean, this could form a building committee that effectively was still just looking at the the schools and then that morphs into the school building committee just so that you can start having a a formal organization that that's that's working
on it as we >> Yeah. >> because obvious if you look at the the letter, every district that was invited into the eligibility period, this got slotted in to a a period, right? March 2nd, April 1st, etc. And we just happened to be June 1st. So
>> I think they just spread that out because of the the workload. >> Sure. >> Um and so I think that I was just speaking for myself. I mean we would certainly be very interested in doing as much work ahead of time, pre-work if you will, so that way we can really hit the ground and maybe we don't need the full 270 and we can get because a lot of
these things need to go back for a vote >> to the to the MSBA and then they don't uh you know they meet >> more regular I think in the fall and the in the early spring but not so much over. So, so just you know making sure that we can get on their agenda when we need to.
>> Yes, absolutely. And I think like I think along that line I think you know I mean forming a school building committee beforehand I think makes sense. I think >> I'm not saying tonight by the way. >> We we can't I mean there's there's a lot of there's a lot of hats that have to be >> just being clear I'm not incredibly
excited but you know not >> but I think one of the things that I've you know I was looking at um and some other towns have done this is having a memorandum of understanding between the select board the school committee and a school building committee so everybody kind of understands sort of who's doing what. So that way it's sort of you know
a long line having David as sort of a point person now makes sense and then maybe down the road obviously it would probably be the school building committee doing a lot of things and making recommendations and you know to to various parties and I think it would be important for us to sort of just all understand like the roles that
everybody's playing and things like that so we're not um stepping on each other's toes and then also we can make sure that everybody you know kind of knows where what we're what we're doing and what who's doing um any particular things. Um >> I have one question about uh David being
point of contact Dr. Jordan. Um he would be representing the eligible applicant which in in the case of the MSBA program is the town of Hollston. It's the it's the executive board. So it's the chief executive officer, it's you uh and the town manager and the select board. So I
think that's just one thing. David, Dr. Jordan, if you could just speak to communication. So when you're acting on behalf of the eligible act applicant as that point of contact, how do you see communication going? I I'm confident you and our town manager have wide open
lines of communication. Um but could you just speak to that a little bit? How acting on behalf of the eligible applicant to the town of Hollist, how that would go as you're uh having calls with and meetings with uh the MSBA um contact Julia Long.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I think, you know, Frank and I are in regular communication as as this relates uh to this, but I think we're at the really um early phases of this. I think uh what Ben indicated is like once the committee is is kind of put together, that's going to be a great
vehicle for like the way a lot of this communication funnels through even if I'm receiving the initial email of certain things. But um yeah, I I don't um I don't anticipate, you know, me being a place where I'm trying to make any kind of decisions as much as just being a place that they can reach out to
and and contact me and then >> um I you know can funnel that since it's it's managed oversight by this the select board as I can funnel that um over to Frank. >> Yep. Okay. It's a liazison position not not acting on behalf >> and I mean until we're in the eligibility period as far as I
understand there's not a lot of decision- making I mean that you know uh that that board is making and you know we'd certainly be involved in any and the schools would be involved in any decisions that we're we're making here. Um I think you know one thing I think we
we should talk about and if people are comfortable is like you know if we are moving forward with the school building committee maybe we've sort of break off and have a couple of us sort of talking through like some of these things and maybe starting to talk about like a memor memorandum of understanding. Um I
saw I think it was I want to say was it Lexington or Hingham had it. Um I could be I could be misspeaking there. Lexington's been on the news a lot, so I think um and we're not looking at a school like that. Um >> I don't know if we want you to do any >> I'm not forget it. Forget I said
Lexington. Let's let's not talk about that. Um but I I think the idea is just like just making, you know, they had something along the line of just, you know, here's who does what, you know, here's how the relationship works, here's what the school building committee does, here's what the school committee does and stuff like that. Um
what do you guys think about doing something like that? like having a you know a couple of us like one of us and a couple of you just sort of start talking through some of these things and you know putting some stuff together on maybe the memorandum and then we can start thinking about
you know how there's a lot I mean if you you make the the committee from the school the school building committee based on all the roles it's like 15 or 20 there's quite a few so hopefully we can have people wearing multiple hats because >> I was on the uh envisioning future
Austin when it was 17 people and it wasn't n't the easy to get a quorum and it wasn't easy to do a lot of work. So trying to narrow that focus a little bit I think would be impactful and then having advisers exeicial members I think would be would be beneficial.
>> I if I may yeah >> I have three comments on that. I so I'm looking at like work load and flow and I'm seeing the work to get to the seating of a school building committee including things like defining the charge the purpose and goals of the the
school building committee a memorandum of understanding that sort of defines the process uh and then the selection process itself of the members so identifying who those uh categories will be and then who who's going to fill so seeking the candidates we've been through this before in a way not on a
school building committee, but we've been through this say in the the hiring of a town manager. It is a it is a weeks to monthsl long process. >> Um so just realistically I'm looking at I'm thinking about uh as we enter into budget season and preparing for town meeting just that we're all having
reasonable expectations on the ability to dedicate the time. I like the idea of a working group. I think that takes it away from an agenda item and keeps the board's focus on what they have to do. But I am I am cognizant of the amount of time that will go into doing it well. So perhaps that's an argument to do it
early. >> But I also think but I also think because the fact is is we'd want to be able to seat that committee before June 1st. We've got you could think about six months basically to to get there. So you know to that point I think yeah you're right. There is a lot of work but we've got we have time.
>> If I might also there there are some very statutoily required positions. Yes. And so you could seat a committee essentially with the substantially required positions and then the committee could actually act to >> decide how many community people they
want on there and then even go do the work to to find those those community members and then sort of put forward a list to the select board who who obviously controls the membership. So it could even be you form the committee and the committee then starts to do the work that sort of so you're not necessarily having to vet everybody you know.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And I I think, you know, um we I think yes, we certainly could do that. And I think, you know, maybe we start off with just sort of conversations a little bit about that and then we can start to figure out, you know, what that looks like. Um >> and just a point of clarification, the
the school building committee needs to be seated by what date? >> July 31st. >> July. It's 60 days. It's 60 days after the start days after eligibility period, commencement date, and then another 60 days. Yeah. I I hear the June 1st. I hear I hear the motivation desire to
start early. I I'm looking forward uh benefit to that. So if we I think you mentioned seating them by June 1st. The benefit for that would Oh, okay. The benefit for that is just we get a jump start on the process. >> Yeah. >> Okay. There's a ton of stuff to go on
and I mean and what exactly goes into the feasibility study and all the stuff that so and then you have people who know they're going to be on this committee or more than likely going to be on the the final committee who can start really you know up and gearing up to understand the process. I think I think starting earlier and starting to
develop things earlier I think getting too much information I don't think is a thing and I think having the ability to have more time I think is good rather than trying to rush and squeeze if it's >> you know there because when you look at the the the deadlines after the eligibility period start there's a lot
of them there's quite a few deliverables within the first 270 days and if we can sort of bring this forward a little bit sooner and and start working on what we can earlier I think benefits everybody
>> and the 270 starts on June 1st is more >> and we're going to seek feasibility funding in May. >> Yeah, >> probably should have a committee who has been looking at this before then. >> Yeah, we'd like to try to have something there before then. >> And the advantage of of getting feasibility funding in May is
>> it's appropriated and done if we can do it. >> Are we required to have feasibility funding within the first 270 days? >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay, got it. Okay, >> so we'd have May and October is basically our options. So we can start in May. >> You got the pest visitor I had.
>> We could start in May if we can if we can. Um, you know, so we have two options and if we can start in May if there's extenduating circumstances that prevent that, then we can figure it out. But I think we should make a a good faith effort. No, it's good to it's good to put all these dates
and significant um milestones out on the table so folks understand why we're moving in the way that we're moving because this news is 2 weeks old. >> Yeah. So can I just clarify because when I >> in the number of conversations when they reached out to me prior to December 12th they did they were really encouraging
that June prior to June because they really wanted >> to ensure that we are >> in terms of the funding or in terms of the building >> the feasibility piece they really just it it even though we don't have to have it that date I think they really wanted that reassurance that we are moving forward and that's why they were encouraging the earlier date. Okay. So,
we should prioritize. We are going to prioritize that. We want to prioritize meeting. Yeah. Especially like, you know, we, you know, not saying that we're going in this direction, but if we needed to have a vote for from the um the uh residents,
getting that done sooner, better than later would be a good thing. >> I would also throw out there just as I I work for a bank, so we're always worried about risk. Um if for some reason we were bring this forward in May and there were going to be concerns by the residents going forward in May gives us
an opportunity if it should run into some issues to bring it back in October. So >> Exactly. >> Yes. Yes. >> Um >> and there's always a special time you can call too, but you know we >> Yes, we certainly can. >> We know about those. >> We can do that, but we want to try to avoid that if we can help out. >> We do.
>> Um this is fun. Sorry. The thing was um all right. So, um, let's see. I mean, that's all I have right now is sort of talking through those things. But, um, and I think the
main thing that we want to have coming out of this, I mean, obviously having, you know, David as a point person, I think is important personally. And then I think having, um, starting to work on anou starting to work together to sort of figure out what this looks like, what the school building committee looks
like. So, um, you know, I, uh, I guess I put it out to you, too. You know, who do you want to do it? Do you want me to do it? Do you want to do it? What do you, what do you, what do you two think from our perspective? >> I think if we're talking about liazing, it probably falls between one of you two, but more of a different kind of
infrastructure. Do you guys have preferences? >> I'm only thinking about the the way we cycle through chairmanships. >> Uh, this will carry into the next chair's uh, term. >> Yep. Um, >> well, it's going to car. I mean, you think about this, you think about
it's going to be years and years. So, I think I think at a certain point we just sort of say here's the person and we count on that. >> I I I'm going to put my hand up because you'll be chair through till almost June 1st and the line share of the work will be before June 1st. And I'm just
thinking about the the work of the chair in prepping for town meeting. Um, and so I'm I'm thinking about you, Ben, and I'm put my hand up to say I'd like to do it, but um I haven't set up We're not looking for a vote here tonight. >> No, no, I think just sort of trying to think about it. I think um we can do
something more official in January. We sort of >> perhaps another two chairs. Yeah. >> Yeah, >> maybe. I don't know. I mean whatever you know um you know we can throw to you and you guys can have your conversation about obviously posted so you can certainly talk about whatever you want
pertaining to this if you so choose but you can certainly um we can talk about it in a couple weeks like after you've had a couple meeting a meeting or two to sort of figure out like how you want to approach it if you want you know a couple people I think I think it' just be good to start having those conversations you know um and we can set
something up in like mid January to get started on a process like what it looks like if if everybody's comfortable with that. >> Don't get too excited. >> It's palpable here. Excited. >> So inly very
>> Okay. >> Um >> did there have been discussion of a press release? >> Yes, I think we we did talk about Do we have anything? Uh, so we did one for the this meeting, but it sounds like maybe
the next steps the press release for the post meeting, I guess, would be that the next steps would be for um the select board and school committee to work together on a development of a >> Yeah. school building committee. >> Yeah, sounds right. >> That sounds good.
>> And and yeah, the other >> Yeah, then we had the thank you. >> Yes. So, the the other thing was I know um we had um thank you letters to our legislators to look at um and I don't know did do you guys see them? I don't remember if they were in
your packets or not. >> Okay. >> You forget the boards of them. >> Well, Frank got them too. So, but it's I will take I will take the fall. It was it was on me that I should have I should >> I'm going to go out on a limb and say however you wrote the thank you letter is perfectly fine and please send them.
I think I think we can I think we can send them probably as >> you guys are probably the one that wrote them. Yeah, >> we'll just we'll just make sure that we're we're grammatically correct. >> If if people you guys want to do non-s substantive edits or what not. I mean very I mean you know just basically thanking them for the support that they show. >> I think I think we can have a vote to
sort of say like you know we'd like to do that and then um we'll take a vote and you guys can take a vote on your behalf to to do it and then we can >> Frank on letterhead. >> Yeah, we can just put it on letterhead and um put some signatures on it to send out. So, I'll I'll do ours and then you guys can do some vote.
>> And just to be clear, this is from the the select board of the school committee, Dr. Kuska and and >> correct. Yes. >> Yes. >> Can I mention to the U Milford Daily News reached out the other day, so I think they're going to be doing an article. >> Okay. >> As well, I think they took a picture today. So, >> wonderful. Okay. Yeah, that's exciting.
>> Yeah. >> Was there an elf? Um so um I will take a motion to approve uh the letter to approve letters to our legislators uh our senator or state
senator and state representative uh thanking them for um their help in this process to be accepted into the MSBA. >> Uh so moved. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor >> I >> I >> and we'll and that's with non-substantive edits I should mention.
I'm just gonna say that we have a family coming home now for the holidays and so I have four H Hall High School graduates in my house and they did ask what was going to happen to the ducklings the new high school whether we were going to keep the space. >> So wouldn't that be five in the house?
>> Yeah, there are five Hollston High School graduates in the house. Yes, but there were no ducklings when I was there, but there have been ducklings for a number of years. And that was the question at the table tonight is what's going to happen in a while. So >> boy, >> they're an annual spring uh recurrence, I think.
>> Lots of excitement. >> Um probably part of the uh the feasibility study. >> All where's the where the ducks? >> Does it make way for ducklings? >> Make way for ducklings. >> Do you want a motion to uh approve them as well?
>> Sure. I'll make a motion to approve the uh the thank you letters to our our representatives. Uh including non subentive changes. >> Some roll. >> Yeah, Don's on. Don is
>> Oh, Don is on. Okay. >> Yes. She's >> Don, are you are you listening? >> You're on mute. >> There she is. >> Hello. Yes. >> Okay. >> She said yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Frank.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Great. So, uh um we get them get them out and uh signed and all that good stuff. And thank you, Dan. Thank you for putting that. >> Appreciate it. Um you know, this is we're we're talking about a lot of
things here. Is there anything else you guys want to talk about or next steps on the press release? What do you suggest, Sarah? >> Yeah, I don't. Did you want I can I'll if that's all we want to include I think it'll be pretty bare bones but um I can circulate it to the chairs.
>> Sure. >> Okay. >> Sign off from there. >> Yeah. >> The only thing I would add just not about the the press release per se but just as we go through budget season we look at that. You know some things that Lexington and and I think Mil also did it uh which was interesting is you know
putting uh money aside. you know, we have three plus years until you even maybe seek it, sort of seek the debt funding, then probably two more years until the building is sort of finished and you have to fully fund everything. Y >> um so you really do have some runway to potentially build up a a reserve to help
um inside the levy, put, you know, put money aside to sort of allow the increase to to step rather than shoot the root. So just as we work through the budget process >> Yeah. And I think I I mean I've certainly had conversations with Frank
um off offline about some similar things. I think there's opportunities for us to look for ways to >> manage the spikes from um from from the borrowing to minimize the impact on the taxpayer. So I think we we haven't put any pen to paper but I think no
>> so you know but I I think it is a it is good to to think about and I think as we go forward we can look to see what we can do over the next few years because I mean this is going to dominate and this is going to be expensive for some people and all of us. So just being aware of it as much as we can to uh to do what we
can and plan ahead I think is a good thing. Any other >> I just one one more thing um >> yes >> just in terms of our community I I do know I've already received some re you know people reaching out saying hey I
you know I'm an architect I have you know experience whatever um that will be to come you know I think we will be involving community members in various you know whether it's formally on the on the building committee or >> reaching out for various expertise so just to let people know that
>> yeah there'll be lots of opportunity got a running list already so of people who reached out and we'll keep all of those people >> and I think there's going to be lots of opportunities to participate to help to to try to have um their voices heard lots of comments I think there'll be
plenty of chances for >> people and this is going to be years long and there's going to be lots of public outreach and forums and >> there's always I wonder though to Sarah's point to her comment is it worthwhile having uh Frank
if I'm wondering if it's worth directing either forwarding the emails or directing the individuals to Frank so that you can start collecting interested candidates. We've done this again in other in other situations where if you're interested in being on um to to contact the town manager and then you
can start collating and and gathering those names. >> Would that be appropriate? >> Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah, that works. I'm sure at some point we'll be reaching out more formally >> to ask for people's involvement. But yes, just in the meantime while we're getting >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> You know, people are reaching out.
>> Yeah, I think there'll be lots of chances for people to do different things and to communicate with different groups and things like that. >> Uh yeah. No, that's a great idea. I think we should do that. And then um anything else here? I mean,
anybody else? >> No. Okay. >> Excitement level is very high. >> We are so incredibly excited. >> We're so excited. We're speechless. Yeah. >> No, but I mean in all seriousness, this is an amazing opportunity for our town at this point to be something that will help us
>> uh you know the district, the town, uh everybody, you know, as we talk about the cost of this and and the taxpayer. there is the other side of it which is which is which is all the benefits and >> and people will see some of that and and >> values and and just you know
>> and I and I hope um you know uh we continue our boards continue to talk like this and to have these kinds of conversations um frequently I think it's important for you know for all be I mean we don't have to sing kumbaya together but we should at least
be um you know talking together and having conversations and making sure that you know um we're both both of our boards are aligned towards the process and and making sure that we're moving forward. So um I think so David will
there's questions and things coming. We'll send them to you and to talk to the MSBA. Um Frank's going to start collecting names. So if anybody gets any names or um people they want to to help out or that have asked, we'll send them
to Frank. And then um we're going to send the letters to our legislators. We're going to um come up with a press release. Sarah and I will review it just to make sure it's okay and then we can get it out there. Um probably the, you know, one of many. And then um in
January, let's, you know, pick a couple people to kind of get together as like a working group to start um ironing out what the a school building committee looks like and things like that to start having those conversations and start thinking about it. And did I get everything? I think So,
>> all right. Any last words? >> Anything? >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> And I appreciate everybody being on the on the calls and I know >> and one thing too just you know we very grateful for your support for you know for your you know support of the SOIS and the submissions over the years and
so thank you guys very much. >> Our pleasure. >> We all benefit from this. So it's awesome. >> Yeah, we do. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Thanks. >> Have a wonderful evening. Happy holidays. >> Happy holiday. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. >> Happy Quanza. Happy Festivus.
>> All the things >> is over thing. >> Yes. >> All right. So, let the room clear out. We can move on to the next. >> All right. Now, we're on to number one. >> Oh, yeah. Um, so, uh, let's begin with,
uh, discussing select board policy priorities for May 2026 town meeting. Now, Frank, I think you'd sent out a, um, spreadsheet that we could kind of chime in and interject on what our thoughts were about the the number of
different things that are out there. Um, and, um, because we can't actually talk to each other about these things until we get here. So, um, if you could just kind of give us sort of a brief summary of like what that looked like and, uh, what the results are and we can start
talking about what we're going to do for May. >> So, yeah, I'm sorry. >> Better. Awesome. Awesome. Um so of the 10 to 15 um different I guess priorities
that we had talked about there were one two three five really that sort of roast the top uh in terms of I guess I call it level of excitement or priority. Um so uh just to run through them really quick and then I can go back individually and
talk about the uh each of them. uh the wellheaded protection bylaw, personnel bylaw changes, bylaw review committees, uh committee, excuse me. Um shifting the town clerk from an elected to appointed position and the lemonade bylaw. Um so
>> now is that so the prioritization that's our prioritization that we put in there? >> Yes. >> What about you? What do you think here? Is there anything in there that you think that we should >> move or change here? I think uh operationally um or internally um I
think the personnel bylaw changes are are very important. Um they do require a town meeting vote um but I think you know while the the the the financial impact um might not be great
um or it's not a huge financial impact it there is a financial impact to that um and making those changes will be a positive financial impact for the town. Um but I think also just in terms of some of the logistics that our departments have about managing um sick
time and managing how uh sick time is taken amongst employees um and how vacation is accured and all of that I think is sort of a little bit of cleanup that we should do. I also think um one of the pieces that I'd like to focus on is allowing employees to use sick time
to care for uh family members and loved ones. Um, that's uh something that I think is actually also required by MA MGL, Mass General law. Um, and our I think our bylaws could maybe just use our personnel bylaws, excuse me, could
just use an extra, you know, fresh pair of eyes and just make sure that okay, >> that type of stuff is um is is again cleaned up. >> And maybe we could um when the new HR person comes on board, they can >> take a look at those in the early days to make sure that
>> if there's some lowhanging fruit or something else that we need to include in May, um we can >> Yeah. And I think um you know hopefully this time next month I will have a uh a a candidate for you to ratify as the assistant town manager. >> Okay,
>> that is going very very well. Um but you know I don't want to >> okay >> put any bad karma out there by saying the name now. Um but yeah that p that individual and I have discussed that this is a top priority for for me. Um, so yeah, that would sort of be of the
ones on the list, those sort of my >> Well, and I was also asking like is there something that was not in those top ones that you say like, you know, this is something I think we need. >> Um, I think the uh sort of the debt
stabilization outlook I think was the one that you just brought up. Uh, I think that's something that we should probably take a look at very closely. >> Um, with the DPW and high school projects on the horizon, I think that um, >> we should look at what the resources
that we have >> um, the impact that that's going to have on the tax bill and, you know, try to figure out ways to mitigate those spikes as you put it. >> Okay. A question on that. Would that be so within our fiscal policies, financial policies, would this potentially be an
addition to those policies. So it it directs it oversee it gives guidance for how the finance committee, the select board and the finance. >> I think it would probably be I think to that I think there would be a policy component, but I think there would also have to be a uh a town meeting article,
but if we're kind of going in that direction that it would be a stabilization for that purpose. >> Oh, creating a stabilization fund. >> Exactly. Exactly. So I think I think yes there should be a policy aspect to it if we do go that route. I mean we might see that we might not have to right >> but I think we should have some kind of
mechanism and um you know maybe it is a policy and not because you could make the argument that some of that could come out of capital. >> Can you do a stabilization fund like that? So Keith Tech did that we town meeting approved the uh contribution of $75,000. I think it was >> pension stabilization fund is a similar kind of question.
>> But can you do that for municipal and school buildings combined? um >> one stabilization fund that serves both purposes. >> Yes, you could do it as a sort of like you could just call it a generic Okay. >> debt stabilization fund. >> Um again, which would sort of smooth out
>> Yeah. >> some of those spikes. >> Yeah. And I think we I I think we have work to do to sort of figure out what that looks like in terms of policy, in terms of articles and things like that. From a policy perspective, you know, in many cases, the stabilization funds that we have aren't meant to be spent all at once, but
>> right >> for, you know, a debt stabilization fund, you might envision the entire balance being spent within, you know, 3, four, five years. >> And that debt stabilization fund, not to get too far off the track here, that also would be for other projects as well. So, it's basically if I have Okay.
And anytime the town is moving forward to borrow for a purpose, this fund would could come into play. Okay, I understand. with it. >> The only thing is with a the stabilization is that you need a two-thirds vote versus an appropriation that could be smaller and then that that
doesn't necessarily have to be excluded or not excluded. I mean, we'd have to sort of iron out what all those pieces look like, but I just think, you know, and we don't have any language. We're just sort of split. >> Yeah. Right. But just thinking about like are there ways that we can set some money aside to make it a little less um
um to smooth out th those crazy spikes for debt from borrowing. >> Anyway, sorry. >> No, no, >> we're talking about the other the other we had the wellhead protection plan. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Bylaw review committee. Um appointing
the clerk personnel bylaw changes. And what was the last one? >> Lemonade. >> Lemonade law. >> Okay. The lemonade law. So, um, the ball is kind of rolling on a few of these and so it might be a good idea maybe in early 2026 to regroup and I can I can run through some of these. So,
>> for the wellhead protection bylaw, we have uh the an envisioning future hall subcommittee that's already actively working on this. >> Okay. >> Um, so I'm not sure exactly of their timeline. Last time I spoke to Barbara Pey, she was hoping to have something on
the May 2026 town meeting warrant anyway. Yeah. >> Um, so maybe we could target like a January, February time frame for that subcommittee to come before the board and >> update the board on on where they stand, where their works at, and if that May
2026 timeline is is still >> feasible. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I would say that it would be premature to to commit at all to this without actually knowing what they're talking about. >> Right. Right. And they might look at it and be like, we there's there's too much work that we're going to be able to get this done at night and I need more time. So,
>> yeah. Um, second is Oh, we just discussed the personnel bylaw cleanup. Yep. >> Um, I'm going to come back to the bylaw review committee. Um, the town clerk uh conversation. I think we've sort of dabbled in a little bit already. So, we've sort of walked through the process
of what that looks like. This is uh something that even if we voted on it tomorrow, likely I mean it would by statute would not take effect until after the current clerk's term, elected term has ended. Um >> and and isn't there there's also an elected component to it too, right?
>> Yes. >> So like they would have to go past town meeting and then there would also have to be a ballot question. >> Uh correct. Okay. >> Correct. Um and so um you know I think the clerk is up for re-election in 2028. >> I think she just had her election. Yeah.
This >> year. So I think um >> you know there'd be a little bit more time before that would actually take effect. >> Right. >> Um but again that seemed of interest to the board. >> Yes. Um, and then, um, the lemonade bylaw I think is a really, really good
one. Um, a way to not only teach younger residents about, you know, the process of how local government works, get them engaged, but also encourages entrepreneurship. So, >> um, I think that one is going to require a little bit of a lift with the not a lift, but I think the the primary focus
there will be me working with the board of health to figure out what the what the right steps. Have other towns done something like that? Have we found? >> There's some in other states. >> Okay. >> Utah's got something like that. And it's basically the the contours of it are generally that the thing that is signed is an acceptance of liability. So that
the town is saying, "Hey, if you want to do this, it's kind of on you." But there it really depends on like the state laws as well, which is why I think we need to work closely with the board of health. >> Yeah. And council. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so I think Oh, and then so then I'll
I'll come go back now to the bylaw review committee. So, um, this is a topic that, uh, was raised to myself and Liz Greenale by a couple of residents who were interested in potentially bringing forth a citizens petition in May. Um, and so given some of the
conversations that we're have that the board were having, I sort of put that on uh the radar as well as you were looking at policy priorities for 2026. Um, so unsure if you want to treat this the same as the envisioning future Hollist suggestion or excuse me um, uh, wellhead
protection bylaw subcommittee. >> We have a group that's already sort of quasi working on this. They've sought research from myself and from Liz Greenale. Um, and so and I think Liz is is has gotten a wealth of information from her fellow clerks on how other
towns do this. Are they are bylaw review committees only looking at existing bylaws? Are they looking are they sort of a sounding board for new bylaw proposals? Are they both? >> Um, who appoints them? All that type of stuff. So, um, >> I think we I think anything like that. I
said I I do think that there's value somewhat. I mean, I thought it was interesting looking at some of the other towns things like the they have like a warrant committee. They said they so they go through all the articles and the warrant and stuff like that. >> Um, and I mean we we had a governance
committee and it was um it didn't quite work the way intended. Um so you know trying to find sort of a place where this can be an effective tool I think is important and then making sure that it has some you know
sort of understand what the the role is and I do agree that maybe we can wait till there's a proposal before we um act or to take any make any comments really about that. I think I'm I'm intrigued but I want to I do kind of want to have >> by way of a citizen petition. Do you
mean a proposal or through the clerk? >> Well, I think the idea would be kind of like we talked about with the voting. I think they would bring something forward and say, "Do we want a sponsor and put it on the warrant or they want them to go through a citizen petition process?" >> Okay. So, there'll be feedback back to the residents who've approached you. Okay.
>> I think that's that's the way I I see it. I mean, if somebody else has a a different way, I think that would be fine, but I think we can look at a proposal before we uh move forward or decide. >> Okay. So, uh, with the warrant closing probably, uh, mid-Marchch, first week of
March or second week, second first meeting of March. >> Yeah. >> Um, I can communicate that now and then, um, >> yeah, if they can have something like in the February time range, you know, early midFebruary, we can have a conversation about what that looks like and see what
we want to do and if there's, you know, more work to be done or if it, you know, how we want to approach it. >> Okay. Um so again those are the ones that um sort of rose to the top. >> Um obviously you know as bandwidth
permits we can look at others um but knowing that >> May is going to be busy are pretty busy. Yeah. Um you know just want >> it's a lot of bylaws too and they're all kind of in different places too. So I think putting too many forward can be
problematic. I guess my com, if I may, my comment would be that the the residents who reached out about the bylaw review committee um they get some some uh what's the word I'm looking for? Um the board's interested is is how I would phrase it for myself. Board's
interested, some encouragement. Uh because for me looking at the list and I I spent some time talking to some residents. I sought their their opinions on on um these proposals and uh the general consensus was a bylaw review
committee is is where many of these should go to to be further fleshed out. So for me I saw the bylaw review committee as holding many of these on this list. So I I I would I would amplify I would raise in my mind at least the bylaw review committee. So, if we're going to go the route of having
residents bring it forward as a proposal, I would ask that that communication goes out. >> I've talked to them and I have said that and I I think we but we what I've also think I've mentioned too that I think they're adamant about bringing it forward in some capacity. And I think we just need to have something to look at
before we can sort of judge whether or not we're yeah, this is great. Let's we'll sponsor it or you know what, we we kind of want to step back and let town meeting talk about it on its own. Okay, >> that's a good point. >> So, in terms of next steps, um, you
know, I think Ben, one thing that you've mentioned is moving forward from now between now and May is sort of having a placeholder on the agenda for not only anything high school related or high school project related, excuse me, but um, >> yeah, >> do we want to do the same for just sort of generic policy? Well, I think what we
do, you know, what we could do, um, let's have sort of we could have like a generic like MSBA updates and it could be there's no updates this week this this this session. I mean, especially we're meeting every other week, there might be, >> you know, we could get stuff caught in the middle there. And then similarly, I
think uh maybe not in January, but certainly once we get into February, definitely having like town meeting has should be a a topic in every um on every agenda, even if it's you know, there's not much to talk about. I mean, January, there isn't
really much yet really. I mean, unless there's something specific that we need to discuss, I think we can hold off until February. Um, but yeah, but once we hit February, we should it should be a topic on every agenda, even if it's nothing new. Let's move on. >> Okay.
So, I will work with uh the Wellhead Protection bylaw subcommittee. >> Mhm. as well as the um resident group currently working on the uh bylaw review committee proposal. >> Okay. >> Um to see when they might be available. We'll target February. >> Yep.
>> Um >> personal bylaw will probably be an HR function. >> And then um we can work on with the clerk to iron out some of those things. And I think Damon, you're working on the lemonade law. >> Y >> sorry Tina left out. >> Can work. She volunteered for the high
school. That's true. >> I I may still >> deal. Uh, Mr. Chair, I still do a little bit of side work on the opt-in for public hearings on minor license changes things. It just it feels like a really I think it just needs like a little bit of research to figure out the legalities
and where it might fall. >> I think the the like the lemonade law I think is going to be a little bit tricky. It not tricky, but it's going to take a little bit more work because there isn't a lot in Massachusetts it sounds like. Yeah. And I think that's kind of the big big area I point to is like, are there other towns that do
something similar or have something similar and then we can cop their language and we know the attorney general's already approved it. It's already kind of been vetted in some way and then we can kind of customize it for Hollist through council. Totally. >> But if it hasn't been there, you know, you're that it could be a big uh you know, I I I think it's a good idea, but
I think you know, trying to basically design two from the ground up might be a little bit >> a big ask. Could be hard. >> But yeah, go ahead. If you want to do a little more research, I don't I don't have any issues with it. What do you think, Tina, on that? >> No comment. I was thinking something else. >> Oh, >> okay.
>> You can go for it. >> I was thinking that in March, we have the we have our state rep and our state senator come. Yes. >> Uh and and meet with us. And it just that feels like a fine point on a calendar by which if we're going to be considering bylaws, changes, proposals for Maytown meeting to have that
buttoned up a little bit to present to share with our state legislators, particularly when we're talking about something that will likely they'll be aware of if it's going to the AG's office and as we do more research, we may find we need their support as well. I like that. >> Uh and so keep just tracking that date when we typically it's usually the
second or third week in March where we have them come. Uh and so if as we pursue these these proposals, these bylaw considerations that we're keeping an eye on that date for something to be somewhat solid to share with them. >> Yeah. Hope I mean I would hope that by
the time we close the warrant we're pretty well into having language and we might just be tying up a couple little things. So I think uh to your point, yeah, I think we would have it ready for that and uh being able to discuss with them if we need to at that time. They always
show interest in uh governance at the local level. So be a good topic to have on that for that meeting. >> Totally. >> Okay, cool. Anything else here? I don't think so. >> Great. Good. >> Nope. >> All righty. All right. Number two at
7:50. 750. >> How we doing? >> Actually, pretty well because the first one is a big long thing. So, uh we're going to talk about the hazard mitigation plan. And this is always uh the joy of our evenings when we have Chief Cassidy coming forward. And I say
that because for a long time when he would come forward and we were talking about co things and as much as we enjoy talking to him, it could be very um >> heavy >> heavy >> lots of charts and graphs. >> Lots of charts and graphs, but also we're talking about people's lives and
and that impact. And so uh >> welcome. Thank you for coming. Thank you for for having me and including this on the agenda this evening. Just to bring us back to how we got here tonight. Sure. >> Uh the town is required to have a hazard mitigation plan. It's normally on a
5-year revision cycle. Our 2016 plan was uh completed by the uh area planning council. They had a grant that they offered multiple area communities and they did a whole bunch of plan updates and submitted those to MIMA who then
submitted them to FEMA for approval. When our 2016 plan was coming up for its 5-year revision, uh there was a federal grant program that I had applied for to uh offset the cost since the regional
planning committee council was no longer um in the business of helping local communities with updating their hazards mitigation plan. Uh and we were fortunate to receive funding as part of the building resistant infrastructure in communities, the brick program through
the federal government. Um and so we went to town meeting, we got some matching funds. Then as you referenced earlier, there was this worldwide health thing that was going on. So a lot of things were put off to the side. Uh so by the time we issued an RFP, thank you
to uh James Ke for helping to manage the RFP process. Uh we did get a contractor who uh agreed to help us update our plan. We engaged with them. They were uh located out of Oklahoma. And last August, I brought to you the plan which
we we reviewed with the uh the vendor. We had some technical issues the night that she was uh supposed to be on board to to to chat with us. But we did uh talk about the plan and talked about the fact that uh it was to the point where we were comfortable sending it to MIMA for their review prior to it going to
FEMA for their review. The board very um preciently asked uh how long will this take? You know, we estimated oh 6 to8 weeks is usually the turnaround time. Well, here we are 14 months later because that was August of 2024. >> Uh it went to MIMA. we were in the queue
behind several other communities who needed their uh plan to be reviewed. Uh then they had suggested that we make some revisions which we did non-substantive um and then it got sent off uh to FEMA. Um and we have a conditional acceptance
from FEMA of the plan which has been submitted. But since it's been more than a year since the board voted, uh, we would like a confirmatory vote so that FEMA recognizes that you're still on board with the 2025 hazard mitigation plan. >> What are the conditions that they
>> they needed the board to vote more recently? Yes. Uh, it was just that it was like had this been two months ago, the the FEMA would have had recognized your uh vote from August of 2024. But understanding that boards change and
composition and people and priorities can change. They just wanted to make sure that the uh local authority is on board with uh the 2025 plan. In terms of the the minor changes that uh were made from when we submitted for the initial review to to MIMA and where we are
today, uh they wanted a little bit more detail on what the status of the things that we'd identified in the 2016 plan, like what we'd done about that. worked with Rob Walker to identify a lot of the um culvert improvements that we've done that were identified as priorities in
2016 uh plan and then uh they just wanted a couple more things on maps. So uh the vendor worked uh with their mapping division and added a couple more maps. So they were non-s substantive changes that were made. It was just so they could check the box. Is there um
the plan is on the website at this time or not? Obviously not the 2025 because it hasn't been approved, but it's the 2021. >> Uh the the 16 would have been on the last website. I'm not sure with the new website and we were limited to the number of files that we moved over.
Okay. >> But certainly uh I have no problem with us uh publishing the 2025 plan. Okay. Uh should the board vote this evening and we be able to tell FEMA because that's the last thing from it being an approved plan as far as they're concerned. >> Gotcha. Gotcha. Tina, any thoughts
coming? >> No, just uh with Well, yes. One one question. What happens after it's approved? So, we we vote tonight, it's approved, and then what changes or what happens? >> Uh so then so then with compliance, it makes us eligible for some grant opportunities. Uh which is always a a
good thing for us. Uh and then it can be uh similar to the way a strategic plan is used to evaluate uh certain initiatives that come forward and folks always want to know like is this identified in an existing strategic plan and that can be used as a uh determining
factor when funding is being sought. So as projects move forward in town um that might have an impact on us mitigating natural hazards in the community uh it's more it it's advantageous for us to be able to say well it was identified in
the 2025 plan therefore we should be you know moving forward with these um initiatives. >> So will not change operations may ch change budget requests. >> It could bolster budget requests. >> Okay. Okay. and would be an important
document for say a new building. >> Oh, >> through the building process, we would want to be reviewing that to the extent that it speaks to natural disasters only. >> Uh primarily uh natural a little bit of of man-made, but uh certainly as it
relates to uh areas prone to flooding, which has been an issue with a previous educational facility location. >> Okay. Um but yes, there are um some of the maps and the inundation maps and the historic flooding events all could be
taken into consideration if we're looking at uh citing a a different municipal building. >> Okay. Okay. You know, we always want to do our part to not allow plans to sit on a shelf untouched, unused. So, it's
helpful to hear your thoughts on how a hazard mitigation plan should be used in a community. So, those are where my questions were coming from. No concerns at all about this. >> Okay. Tina already had my primary question which was around the budgeting implications which you answered. So, no concerns on my end.
>> No. And I appreciate all your leadership and hard work on this. So, thank you very much for all that. Um, thank you. >> I believe there's a resolution that we need to >> Would you like me to read the resolution then the board vote or the board vote and then we read the resolution? I think probably read the resolution and then vote on the as resolved.
>> Yes, >> please. And thank you. >> Okay. Uh certificate of adoption as read. Town of Hollist, Massachusetts. A resolution adopting the town of Hollist Hazard Mitigation 2025 update. Whereas the town of Hollist established a committee to prepare the town of Hollist
Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025 update. And whereas the town of Hollistston hazard mitigation plan 2025 update contains several potential future projects to mitigate potential impacts from natural and man-made hazards in the town of Hollist. And whereas duly noticed public
meetings were held by the local hazard mitigation planning team on August 5th, 2025 and tonight, December 22nd, 2025. And whereas the town of Hollison authorizes responsible departments and/or agencies to execute their responsibilities demonstrated in the
plan. And now therefore be it resolved that the town of Hollison adopts the town of Holliston hazard mitigation plan 2025 update. So moved for adoption. >> Uh with one um correction. Uh you read August 5th, 2025. It should be August
5th, 2024. >> Correct. >> Seconded. >> All right. Uh all those in favor I >> I >> I >> All right. Excellent. Thank you all very much. Appreciate it. >> All right, moving on to number three. Uh, vote to
approve the housing trust sale of 31 Regency Drive. Frank, do you have some information you can share with us about this? >> Yes, this this is uh sort of a housekeeping item. So, if you recall the meeting that we had before town meeting, uh we authorized the housing trust to
purchase uh 31 Regency Drive. Um, and the motion sort of a um I don't know if it's an oversight or not, but the motion should have or could have read uh allowing the the p the purchase purchase and sale of
31 Regency as a as opposed to just the purchase of 31 Regency. So, the housing trust is now selling the unit back. They bought it for about 140. They're selling it for about 150 um which roughly ties to the amount of money that they put into the unit for some basic repairs.
>> Okay. Um, so that um that agreement will take effect in January. However, we technically needed the vote to actually reflect the housing trust's ability to uh to sell the unit. >> Okay. Any questions or comments from the board?
>> You would like an additional motion that includes simply the sale. We already have the original motion that had motion to >> permit the uh housing trust to sell 31. >> Okay. David, >> I'm into it.
>> Excellent to be honest. >> All right. Uh, I will take a motion to approve the housing trust sale of 31 Regency. >> I mean, with Damon's overwhelming endorsement there, uh, move to approve the housing trust sale of 31 Regency Drive. >> Seconded with vast enthusiasm, I guess.
>> All those in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> I'll just start being more like a curb your enthusiasm. It's It's okay. I'll do it. pretty pretty good. >> Pretty pretty good. All right, here we go. Um,
moving on to public comments. Would anyone in the room like to make public comment this evening? You're welcome to come on forward if you'd like to. Don't all get up at once. Okay.
Anyone on the Zoom like to make public comment this evening? Who can raise your hand under the reaction button? Doesn't seem like we're going to have any, but I will also remind people that if you think of something later or you missed your opportunity to speak at this
this time, uh you can certainly email the town manager's office and indicate that your comments are for public comment and we can read them into the record at a future meeting. That's also available as well.
Anyone else? One more time. Okay. Warrants. >> Frank, we have had two warrant signs since your last meeting. Uh December 8 or it was dated December 8th, 2025. >> Mhm. >> Uh 1,420,241.39.
the 2nd uh December 15th 3,224,621.74 questions or comments about the warrants? >> No. >> Select board member updates. >> Uh I have three comments. Sure. >> Uh first, Ben, I'd like to thank you.
You have been doing the lion's share as chair of the select board in coordinating and communicating on a number of issues. This board in the past six months has had significant topics to consider. 40B housing. Uh we've had uh
the MSBA uh acceptance. We are moving forward with the DPW and a whole host of other responsibilities that fall to the chair. And I just want to thank you for the leadership you've you've demonstrated in those meetings and representing the board so well and
communicating well with Frank. Um it is not unnoticed how large of a responsibility that is. So wanted to call that out in public. So thank you. I also would like to thank our public safety uh crews from Friday night. Uh
that was an an impressive and perhaps from where I sat at least unexpected windstorm. Uh we're talking about hazard mitigation tonight. We know that every community uh is exposed to extreme weather. We certainly experienced that
here in Hollston on Friday. And um I I don't know from having spoken to the chiefs and our DPW director directly, but I I understand from from what we heard through Frank and from the community at large that it was a it was
a major event. uh and when those events happen, you think of the safety of the people who are working on behalf of the rest of our safety. So, um I just wanted to share that uh this board was very much uh thinking of you, our public safety crews that were out on Friday and
want to thank you for your service to the town because they were dangerous conditions with the wind, the down power lines, and um just the overall uh extreme weather event that it was. So, thank you. And then finally, I'll be talking to Chief Cassidy because I I got
word uh from a resident uh on a another really positive experience that a resident had through our EMS services. So, I might be bringing something back to the board. Um but these things don't go unnoticed in our community. Uh and so just thanks across the board. Uh that's all I have.
>> Okay, great. David, >> uh minor brief. I'm just um you know, as we sit here listening to all the different plans coming through this board and other boards, we're we're kind of heading towards infrastructure renaissance for the town. We're talking about the sewer. We're talking about a new school. We're talking about a new DPW. And that's just the most obvious
ones. I think that there's a lot of work for all the different parts of this town coming up in the next year to 5 years. And I'm I'm gratified that we have really capable people, including everyone who's here tonight. Um it's just worth noting that we're probably heading for a bit of stress. So, I think
as long as we work ahead, really practice fiduciary discipline, and think about the best interest of the town, as Ben would always tell me, I think we're going to be okay. But I think there's a lot of work coming, and we just got to let's buckle in because I think it's going to happen sooner rather than later. >> Great. Okay. Um I get a few updates. Um
the first is um we had a budget meeting um with some different actors from the schools, from finance committee, from the town side, just talking about some general things and trying to uh look at uh our uh the landscape for FY27. Um
nothing really substantive to share from it, but just sort of to mention to everybody that we're um you know, we're looking at uh some different things. And >> say FY27. >> Yeah. Yeah, for next year and um so um thinking about um there could be
opportunities for uh um sharing information through a tri some sort of a tri board meeting. Um I think you know um it's brought to my attention frequently. Um I was at this meeting. So there was the last tribard meeting we had was did not go very well. um because I think we didn't have clarity on what
the intent was and I think it's important that a tribe board be um an opportunity for uh sharing information and particularly from staff and the experts in our in our town. Um and uh I think there could be an opportunity there to make sure that everybody
understands the the landscape and things like that. So that still hasn't uh there's no date yet. Um still trying to push on that. um if we don't get a tribard meeting at least the uh the information should be um uh disseminated um from a centralized point and um given
to all relative stakeholders. Uh second thing is just to put on your radar. I kind of mentioned this before um we're talking about and we're getting into the budget um budget season. Um what this board has done in the past is had like our summit where we brought in all of
our um uh departments to talk about their budgets and I'm trying to um bring in the finance committee into um some of that. I think there's a lot of budgets that are small budgets that um the presentations are the same and if we can find ways to um economize time and
things like that for people um for the department heads, for the finance committee, for us to basically have an opportunity to sort of work through some of those things in a collaborative way. I think we can save some time for uh for a lot of people in that regard. So, um, we don't have all the clarity yet, but I
think we have some things to iron out and I just kind of want to put it on your radar >> now to start thinking about it and, um, as we get a little closer, probably in January, we can sort of say like, here's some of the challenges we want to work through to sort of see like what this looks like to ensure that it's a smooth,
um, occasion and we're not turning it into a three-day gala event, which we want to avoid. But, you know, if there's ways that we can do it and sort of make sure that we're best use of everyone's time and things like that. So, >> are we still looking at a Saturday? >> Yes. I think it would still be
>> our family calendar, but the fight's getting harder. >> I know. I think it's I think it should be a Saturday. I think the main issue basically sort of uh I'll show the cards now is that the finance committee doesn't review um department doesn't review budgets unless we have approved them, right? Our
budgets unless we've approved them. So, you know, there's a couple different ways that we could handle it, but I just, you know, we sort of need to say like it could just be as simple as the person presents the budget. We say yes, the finance committee can ask questions and talk about it or we could have some other sort of a way to do it. But we
don't have to do that right now. I just want to put it on your radar to think about. We'll talk about more in January. Uh third thing is is I know you've this is something you've asked a couple times about bringing the historical commission back to talk about that census. um with some of the things that have been going on, we've kind of had to push them into
January. So, we want to we've pencil them in for January 12th and um to be at that first meeting in January to talk to us. Um I think that's sort of an opportunity I wanted to bring up talking about, you know, talking with them about master planning and how because there is a historical component to our master
plan and talking to them. I've talked to them uh Frank and Sarah um about what that looks like and the historical nature of things and trying to sort of understand a little bit more about you know is it the master plan that the things that were
historical in nature were they done were they all finished and everything's great were they not finished and why and is it you know there's something we need to revisit there so I want to have that conversation on the 12th >> they make a really bad joke about time being on their side so January is fine but it's not a a joke.
>> Okay, it's all good. It's not 9:00 yet, so make the jokes. Uh the last thing um is I'd like to sort of talk a little bit more in again in January we can talk a little bit more about um DPW oversight when we're talking about these things. I
mean, James is doing the lion share and I think there needs to be a little bit more um input um to to help him and to make sure because he's, you know, he's got a day job, too, and I don't want him worrying about these things that I would like to sort of figure out. We talked about having a committee. Let's bring this back forward in January so we can
say like what does that look like? we need to sort of have some sort of a structure to um arrange that because I don't think we should be doing it but I think there needs to be some kind of a group and it's a big enough deal that there should be some kind of DPW committee that's sort of overseeing the process. We can talk about that in
January. Just wanted to bring it to your attention and that's all I got. Right. All right. I'll finish with select board member updates comments from the town manager Frank. I will keep it very brief. Uh just a quick update on town
hall hours for this and next week. Uh this week, as in years past, town hall will close at noon on Wednesday, December the 24th, and reopen on Monday, December 29th for normal business hours. Uh and then next week, town hall will close at noon on Wednesday, December
31st, and reopen on Monday, January 5th. A reminder that trash pickup will also be delayed this and next week, Thursday pickups will take place on Friday. Um, I'm actually going to miss this this year, but uh just a reminder about one of my favorites event, one of my favorite events uh of the year in
Hollist is the first night rail trail walk that will take place on December 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ringing the new year with a favorite regional tradition, a walk along the Hollist rail trail. Um, this is actually really cool. This year the walk is being extended and
will span the section uh from the Placentino School on Woodland Street to Blair Square to Mil Pond which is just past Cross Street um where you can light a candle, make a wish for the coming year and set a float on the pond. Uh and thanks as always to the Friends of the Rail Trail for putting on that event.
It's really really cool. >> Um with snow in the forecast tomorrow, just a reminder that uh a sand and salt mix bucket is available for residents to use at the highway garage on Arch Street. So feel free to utilize that if needed. Uh and with that, we just wish
everyone a very safe and healthy and happy rest of the holiday season and happy new year. Uh as we discussed earlier, 2026 is going to be a very busy and exciting one in Hollist. And to kick it off, the select board will meet next on January 12th, 2026.
And thank you again, as Tina mentioned, to our police, fire, and DPW departments for all their work over the long their their long weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thank you. Any questions?
>> Board business consent agenda. So, it's a seasonal population increase estimation form and a renewal certification for 2026 who failed to renew. And I believe that it looks like the only non-renewal is Bertuchi's restaurant.
>> Why? >> Um, it's a spirit Halloween. Well, it's not going to be a spirit for >> four months. >> Um any any objections to having that be part of the consent agenda? Okay. >> Uh just caught on the estimation the
population estimation increase for increase estimation form. It's 15,139 residents >> and I think we get one and then an additional one for each five every 5,000 residents I think it is. So I think it's four total but then we had a couple that
we've had by town meeting to add. Um, so >> like a motion to Frank, anything you would >> I'll just go ahead and read the motion. Okay. Uh, motion to approve tonight's consent agenda. >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> All right, we're all set with the
consent agenda. Any other business? >> Uh, two comments from me. Frank, I will be sending you an email. I was contacted by the chair president of the friends of trail committee uh friends of the trails rather uh regarding first night. They
had a couple questions. So I'll be um forwarding that to you and I did direct Geanna to reach out to you if you haven't already heard from her. >> We talked uh early this afternoon. >> Okay. All right. Uh and then uh thank you for considering me for the working group with the school committee. I am really interested in it. Um it is
exciting work and I'd like to be a part of it. Uh, I I liked Dan's comment about an interim building committee. We've talked about a building committee here. You brought it up a few moments ago in terms of the DPW. I don't I I thought his idea was was clever. Um, and I wonder if that's something that we
should consider is starting a building committee that either grows into or um forms as a an example for a school building committee. So, I'm I'm intrigued by that idea. Uh, I wonder if that's something we should consider sooner rather than later.
>> Okay. Um, just just food for thought. Yeah, that's all I had. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah, we can talk. I think when we can get a little bit more into the weeds on it in uh in January, start doing maybe on the 12th we can talk about it a little further.
>> Sure. >> Um Tim, >> nothing here. >> Nothing. >> Yeah. Keep me keep me brief. There's not much you want. >> Uh I thought I had one more thing and I'm trying to remember if it's here. Uh, >> no. Uh, my last I don't have it, but I
can. >> Okay. All right. Uh, Frank, do you have any other business? >> Uh, none for me. No. >> All right. And I do not either. So, I think we will take a motion to adjourn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> I. All right. Hollist, we are adjourned
at 8:24 p.m. Thank you very much for your time this evening. Hope you have a wonderful, happy, and safe holiday season and we will see you on January 12th at our next meeting. Thank you. Recording stop.