25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

The Town extends its thanks to the American Legion Post 47 and VFW Post 8507 for organizing and hosting the annual 9/11 awards and the memorial service on Friday, September 11, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Both events were incredibly meaningful and well done! Congratulations again to Officers Loftus, Downey, Davis and DiGiorgio and Sergeants Parent and Belson of the Holliston Police Department and FF/EMT-P Mahoney, FF-EMT-P Crawford, EMT-P Dumican, and Deputy Chief Gulla for their recognition this year – and thank you to all of our first responders!

Town Meeting – October 19, 7 p.m. at the High School, 370 Hollis St.

A reminder to the community that the fall town meeting will take place on Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m. at the high school. Anticipated topics for debate include capital expenditures, personnel bylaw adjustments, groundwater protection zoning bylaw updates, master plan continuity bylaw, sewer commission bylaws, and others. Follow the Town’s website and Facebook page for updates. All residents should also receive a postcard in their mailbox with a QR code linking them directly to the full warrant and related materials. We look forward to seeing you there!

Norfolk Street Update

Eversource’s gas utility work remains underway, with crews currently working on services in the area of Cold Spring Road. The utility work will continue toward the Medway town line, which the Town anticipates will be completed by November 2026.

The project is also facing a budget challenge. As discussed at the August 10 Select Board meeting, an updated estimate for the project’s original scope of work is approximately $9.3 million, compared with the original $5.6 million budget approved by voters in May 2023. The Town is currently reviewing the project scope and available options to reduce costs while preserving the project’s most important improvements. We expect to provide an additional update to the Select Board and the community soon as that work progresses.

Capital Expenditure Fund Update

The independent analysis of the Capital Expenditure Fund reporting error is still underway – please monitor the Town’s website, Select Board meeting updates, and/or the Town Hall Digest as this matter progresses. 

Cross Street Site/Department of Public Works Facility Update

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially accepted the Town into the Targeted Brownfields Assessment program for the property at 20 Cross Street. This environmental assessment to be undertaken by the EPA, saving the town considerable resources, will help determine how, when, and where we can hopefully build a new DPW facility – a longstanding goal of the Town’s. We expect the assessment to be completed by the end of the calendar year. We sincerely appreciate the partnership and support that the EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection have shown the Town on this project. 

Ribbon Cutting and New Economic Development Coordinator

It was the Town of Holliston’s pleasure to host a ribbon cutting for the new Old Towne Car Wash at the corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets on September 8. A huge thank you to Representative James Arena DeRosa for joining us! The Town wishes them many years of success as a member of Holliston’s business community. If you are a new or prospective business owner looking to build, open, or expand your business here in Holliston – please contact Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Rudden at 508-429-0604 to get started. 

Flu and COVID-19 Clinic

The Board of Health and MetroWest Pharmacy will be hosting a Flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic on October 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Placentino Cafetorium (235 Woodland Street). Flu vaccines are provided for ages 3 and up and ages 12 and up for COVID-19.  Vaccines are free with most health insurances and are subsidized for uninsured. Pre-Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcomed as supplies last. Please contact the Board of Health at 508-429-0605 or visit the Town’s website for additional information. 

Select Board Goals: Fiscal Year 2027

On August 24, the Select Board met to establish its goals and priorities for the current fiscal year. This year’s goals focus on affordable housing, a review of how the Town permits and regulates businesses, increasing communication and public engagement opportunities, creating a Board policy manual, and exploring open space and conservation opportunities at 63 Arch Street and 212 Prentice Street. Please visit the Select Board’s page (https://www.townofholliston.us/332/Select-Board )for specific identified actions and next steps.