Decisions

Town Meeting, Monday, October 19 (from the meeting recording)

• Articles 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, consent agenda: approved Articles 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 together as a consent agenda: a new Permitting Coordinator title in the town’s job classification plan and five amendments to the Consolidated Personnel Bylaw (unanimous). Recording, 0:11:54

• Article 1, General Stabilization Fund: transferred $150,000 from free cash to the General Stabilization Fund (passed). Recording, 0:37:01

• Article 2, Pension Stabilization Fund: transferred $250,000 from free cash to the Pension Stabilization Fund (passed). Recording, 0:37:39

• Article 3, capital expenditure fund: transferred $3,040,544 from free cash to the Capital Expenditure Fund, after amending the motion to name that fund in place of the General Stabilization Fund (passed). Recording, 0:39:12

• Article 7, personnel bylaw vacation sections: indefinitely postponed Article 7, the amendment to sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Consolidated Personnel Bylaw (passed). Recording, 0:41:29

• Article 11, capital budget: appropriated $1,272,030 from the Capital Expenditure Fund, $100,000 from Water Enterprise retained earnings and $1.8 million from the Water Enterprise infrastructure account for vehicles, equipment, building work and water mains. Recording, 0:45:17

• Article 12, Community Preservation projects: transferred $219,000 from the CPA General Reserve and $115,000 from the CPA Historical Preservation funds for the Stoddard Park engineering study, central fire station window and stucco work, and senior center sensory garden (passed). Recording, 0:50:43

• Article 13, fire station solar array: transferred $421,500 from Article 22 of the May 2024 Town Meeting to buy, temporarily relocate and reinstall the Central Fire Station solar array and repair the roof (passed). Recording, 0:55:28

• Article 14, Miller and Placentino roof studies: appropriated $900,000 for a feasibility study and design of a partial roof replacement at Fred Miller Elementary and $450,000 for the same at Placentino Elementary (passed). Recording, 0:58:06

• Article 15, opioid settlement fund: dissolved the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund and moved the remaining money to a special revenue account (unanimous). Recording, 1:00:41

• Article 17, Groundwater Protection District bylaw: approved the Groundwater Protection District zoning bylaw amendments as printed in the handout (123–25). Recording, 1:06:16

• Article 18, Constitution Village streetlights: requested that the Select Board work with the Town Manager, rather than the Finance Committee as first moved, to identify a funding source and financing plan for streetlights on Constitution Village roads (passed). Recording, 1:45:44

Zoning Board of Appeals, Wednesday, October 21 (from the meeting recording)

• Special use permit, 1286 Washington Street: approved a special use permit for Martins Cleaning and Painting, Inc. at 1286 Washington Street for administrative office use and indoor storage, with added conditions of no parking in the rear of the building and no outdoor storage (unanimous). Recording, 0:07:27

Planning Board, Thursday, October 22 (from the meeting recording)

• Scenic Road application, Prentice Street: approved the scenic road application to move part of the stone wall and remove two small trees for a driveway entrance, with the brush cleared from the wall and the moved stones used to fill gaps or extend the wall (unanimous). Recording, 0:14:51

• South Street 40Y zoning work plan: appointed the town planner to lead the South Street 40Y zoning district project and prepare a more detailed work plan and schedule for the board’s November meeting (unanimous). Recording, 0:43:01

School Committee, Thursday, October 22 (from the meeting recording)

• ESL literature course at the high school: approved a new ESL literature course at Holliston High School, taken alongside regular English classes and starting in the second semester (unanimous). Recording, 1:14:43

Election Day

Holliston votes in the state election on Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Holliston High School gymnasium, and today, Saturday, October 24, is the deadline to register to vote in it, according to the town’s notice.

Early in-person voting is at Upper Town Hall, 703 Washington Street, through Friday:

• Saturday, October 24, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Monday, October 26, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, October 27, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Wednesday, October 28, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Thursday, October 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Friday, October 30, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The town has posted a ballot questions cheat sheet that it asks voters to print and bring to the polls, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth posts the 2026 ballot questions on the state’s election site. You can check your registration online, and the Town Clerk’s office takes questions at (508) 429-0601.

Coming Up

Saturday, October 24

• Last day to register to vote; early in-person voting at Town Hall, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Goodie bags go out at 9:30 a.m. at the library’s Halloween Trick-o-Treat

• Kids read aloud to therapy dog Molly Bird at the library’s Children’s Room, 10 a.m.

• SEPAC Trunk or Treat set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 235 Woodland Street

• Pink Granite Pedalers bring their ride back to Holliston trails

Sunday, October 25

• HNN’s Great Pumpkin Trail Walk fundraiser, for ages 0 to elementary school, runs 10 a.m. to noon

Monday, October 26

• Early voting at Town Hall weekdays through Friday, October 30, from 8:30 a.m.; open until 7 p.m. Tuesday

• School Communications Subcommittee votes on newsletter at 7:30 p.m. Zoom meeting Agenda

Tuesday, October 27

• Board of Health weighs groundwater protection bylaw changes at 7 p.m. Zoom meeting Agenda

• Envisioning Future Holliston Committee, 7 p.m.: 1999 Master Plan and FY27 strategic plan items on agenda Agenda

• Conservation Commission, 7:30 p.m. on Zoom: 100 Linden Street spillway and park hearing at 8 p.m. Agenda

Wednesday, October 28

• Fire Chief Cassidy reads at fire-themed story time, Children’s Room, 10:15 a.m.

• Zoning Board deliberates on Lowland Street comprehensive permit at 6 p.m., remote only Agenda

• Opportunities Night for Grade 8 and high school families is at the HHS Auditorium, 6 p.m.

Thursday, October 29

• Registration is open on the Advantage App for Patriot Place trick-or-treating, 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 1

• Overnight parking ban begins: no on-street parking 1 to 5 a.m. through March 31

• Metrowest Symphony opens its season with Beethoven’s Fifth at Framingham State, 2 p.m.; seniors $10

• Butterfly Garden reunion planned at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

Monday, November 2

• Small business owners can meet SBA and state officials at Town Hall, 5 to 7 p.m.

The Holliston Ledger reports from posted agendas, minutes and meeting recordings. Items marked “from the meeting recording” were written before the board approved its minutes and may change when it does. If something here is wrong, reply to this email, and the correction will run at the bottom of the post and in next week’s edition.

Decisions

Board of Health, Tuesday, October 13 (from the meeting recording)

• Cigar definition and minimum cigar pricing: failed to adopt the new definition of cigar and the proposed minimum prices for single cigars and packs of two or more, so the tobacco regulations stay unchanged for now (failed). Recording, 1:09:36

Conservation Commission, Tuesday, October 13 (from the meeting recording)

• Prentice Street 12A order of conditions: issued an order of conditions, with conditions on bounds and their perpetual maintenance, for the notice of intent at 12A Prentice Street (3–0). Recording, 0:45:36

• Prentice Street 12B order of conditions: issued an order of conditions for the notice of intent at 12B Prentice Street (3–0). Recording, 0:47:00

Planning Board, Wednesday, October 14 (from the meeting recording)

• Prentice Street subdivision (ANR): approved the plan dividing one lot on Prentice Street into two, after the applicant corrected the frontage and depth requirements shown on the plan (unanimous). Recording, 0:03:02

• Groundwater protection bylaw hearing: closed the public hearing on the groundwater protection district bylaw amendments (unanimous). Recording, 1:11:55

• Groundwater protection bylaw, report to Town Meeting: recommended that Town Meeting adopt the groundwater protection district bylaw amendments, but without the animal feedlot definition and prohibition and without ‘landscape refuse’ in the solid waste definition, and with new prohibited uses Q through V allowed if suitable technology protects groundwater (unanimous). Recording

School Building Committee, Wednesday, October 14 (from the meeting recording)

• Communications working group lead: appointed Christy as lead of the communications working group (unanimous). Recording, 1:35:44

Zoning Board of Appeals, Thursday, October 15 (from the meeting recording)

• 1286 Washington Street special permit hearing: closed the public portion of the hearing on a special permit application for a painting and cleaning company office and storage use at 1286 Washington Street (unanimous). Recording, 0:12:37

• Lowland Street comprehensive permit hearing: closed the public portion of the hearing on the comprehensive permit application by MP Properties for LLC for 0 and 194 Lowland Street (unanimous). Recording, 3:14:42

Coming Up

Saturday, October 17

• Free flu and Covid-19 clinic runs 9 a.m. to noon at 235 Woodland Street

Monday, October 19

• History Book Club welcomes new members at the library, 10:30 a.m.

• Holliston varsity soccer travels to Hopkinton for a 4:30 p.m. conference match

• School Committee preps for Town Meeting at 6 p.m. at the high school library, may vote on presentation Agenda

• Finance Committee meets at 6 p.m. to finalize Town Meeting recommendations at the high school Agenda

• Holliston Town Meeting convenes Monday, October 19

• Holliston faces Hopkinton in conference volleyball

Tuesday, October 20

• Library’s Tuesday Matinee shows “Remarkably Bright Creatures” at 12:30 p.m.

• Select Board preps for Town Meeting at 6 p.m. session in High School Library Agenda

Wednesday, October 21

• No registration needed: Little Builders Story Time at the library’s Gilman Room, 10:15 a.m.

• Red Sox historian Herb Crehan talks World Series history at the library’s Gilman Room, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 22

• Planning Board hears the 385 Prentice Street Scenic Road application at 7 p.m. on Zoom Agenda

Friday, October 23

• Dance Party with Stacey Peasley in the Gilman Room at Holliston Public Library, 11 a.m.

• Holliston Panthers face Norwood Mustangs in varsity football at 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 24

• Goodie bags go out at 9:30 a.m. at the library’s Halloween Trick-o-Treat

• Kids read aloud to therapy dog Molly Bird at the library’s Children’s Room, 10 a.m.

• SEPAC Trunk-or-Treat runs 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; admission is $5 per child, $25 family cap

• Pink Granite Pedalers bring their ride back to Holliston trails

Sunday, October 25

• Great Pumpkin Trail Walk is Sunday, October 25

The Holliston Ledger reports from posted agendas, minutes and meeting recordings. Items marked “from the meeting recording” were written before the board approved its minutes and may change when it does. If something here is wrong, reply to this email, and the correction will run at the bottom of the post and in next week’s edition.

The Select Board voted 2–1 on Monday, October 5, to remove the master plan continuity bylaw, Article 18, from the October 19, 2026 Town Meeting warrant, and then unanimously approved the rest of the warrant for signature and accepted the Circuit Breaker Senior Means Tested Exemption at 100% of the state benefit for fiscal year 2027. The School Committee on Thursday, October 8, unanimously approved the superintendent’s goals for 2026-27 and an amended acceptable use policy that adds language on AI. The Board of Health holds a hearing on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:05 p.m. on limiting nicotine pouch sales to adult-only tobacco stores.

Decisions

Select Board, Monday, October 5 (from the meeting recording)

• Senior means-tested tax exemption, fiscal year 2027: accepted the Circuit Breaker Senior Means Tested Exemption at 100% of the state benefit for fiscal year 2027, as the Board of Assessors recommended (unanimous). Recording, 0:55:27

• Master plan continuity bylaw (Article 18): voted to remove the master plan continuity bylaw article from the October 19, 2026 Town Meeting warrant (2–1). Recording, 2:22:13

• October 2026 Town Meeting warrant: approved the October 2026 Town Meeting warrant as presented for signature, letting the town manager and town counsel make non-substantive edits (unanimous). Recording, 2:40:00

School Committee, Thursday, October 8 (from the meeting recording)

• Superintendent’s goals for 2026-27: approved the superintendent’s goals for the 2026-27 school year (unanimous). Recording, 0:29:26

• Acceptable use of digital resources policy: approved the amended acceptable use of digital resources policy, adding language on AI and enhanced technology tools (unanimous). Recording, 1:20:56

From minutes the town posted since the last edition

Finance Committee, Tuesday, September 15 (from the minutes)

• Capital Subcommittee vacancy: elected Sandra Graham to the Capital Subcommittee to fill the vacancy left by a member no longer on the Finance Committee (6–0). Minutes

Finance Committee, Tuesday, September 22 (from the minutes)

• Association of Town Finance Committees dues: authorized payment of $235.00 for Association of Town Finance Committees (ATFC) dues (7–0). Minutes

Coming Up

Tuesday, October 13

• Farmers market at 24 Water Street is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Board of Health hearing at 7:05 p.m. on limiting nicotine pouch sales to adult-only tobacco stores Agenda

• Conservation Commission meets by Zoom at 7:30 p.m.; hearings on two Prentice Street homes follow Agenda

• School Committee communications panel votes on newsletter at 8:30 p.m., online only Agenda

Wednesday, October 14

• Economic Development Committee meets at noon on Zoom to discuss Master Plan and bylaws with Town Administrator Agenda

• School Building Committee meets at 6:45 p.m. in Town Hall Room 105 or on Zoom, with public comment Agenda

• Planning Board, 7 p.m. by Zoom: hearing resumes on Groundwater Protection District by-law change Agenda

Saturday, October 17

• Free flu and Covid-19 clinic runs 9 a.m. to noon at 235 Woodland Street

The Holliston Ledger reports from posted agendas, minutes and meeting recordings. Items marked “from the meeting recording” were written before the board approved its minutes and may change when it does. If something here is wrong, reply to this email, and the correction will run at the bottom of the post and in next week’s edition.