Holliston Town Manager Frank Gervasio would like residents to be aware of the town's Tax Work-Off Program. Property owners who are 60 or older as of July 1, 2026, or who are veterans, who have lived in the town for at least five years, are eligible to earn credit toward their property tax bills by doing work for town departments that need the help.

"When I came on, one person was utilizing the program," says Gervasio, "We need to make this more readily accessible, available, and known. There are plenty of people who could potentially earn up to $1,500 off their tax bill, and we all know things are getting more expensive. It's a win-win, not only for our staff, but the folks who would be interested."

Cheryl Houle, Assistant Town Manager and HR Director, has been working with the Senior Center, Veterans Services Office, Assessor's Office, Town Clerk and Treasurer's Office to spread the word.

"We're trying to put it wherever we see foot traffic."

The town has created a specific web page for those who are interested. Find it at https://www.townofholliston.us/249/Tax-Work-Off-Program-FY27.

Since there is a budgetary impact of the program, the Tax Work-Off Program will be capped at 20 participants, says Houle.

"Our goal is to grow from 20 in future years," says Gervasio.

Holliston Cable Access Television (HCAT) has begun a new segment entitled "Ask the Town Manager," notes Gervasio.

"The idea is to increase understanding of what our departments do and what that means for residents and other members of the community, so folks can understand how town government works, and how it impacts them," says the Town Manager.

The first episode, featuring Holliston Conservation agent Tyler Skrzypiec, first aired in mid-June. Gervasio explains the feature will explain some of the processes the conservation commission has such as Notice for Intent, and Request for Determination, "so folks can understand in plain language what departments are working on."

The video segments will be under "featured videos" at the HCAT website, www.hcattv.org and will also be available as a podcast. You can also find them under "Holliston Hub-HCAT" on YouTube.

"In preparation for the May 2026 Town Meeting, we had anticipated that we would be proposing the development of a new DPW facility on Arch Street," says Gervasio, noting that about 10 months of public dialogue and feedback has determined Arch Street as a desired location. However, he says, a few weeks before Town Meeting, news that the land court process for Cross Street, a location previously considered, was coming to a close, paused the process.

"We received notice just before Town Meeting that we're nearing the end of legal process," says Gervasio, "Understanding we are the stewards of public resources and trust, we wanted to have a very well-thought-out process to present to the town for consideration. The Select Board opted to pause and allow for the Cross Street proceedings to unfold before making the decision.

The Cross Street location, he says, is still owned by Axton Cross. If the property is claimed, not only do back taxes need to be paid, but potential significant environmental concerns from the former chemical processing site must be dealt with.

"I will say we have been working hand in hand not only with the Mass DEP, but also with the Federal EPA on these next steps, and so, we will be making a very careful evaluation of the site," says Gervasio. The environmental concerns at the location, approved by the town for a DPW site in 2023, are deeply underground, he says. The process of environmental testing at the site would begin in earnest if and when the town takes formal ownership of the property, which is could take place by the end of the summer.