Holbrook public meetings in 2022
16 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Select Board
The Select Board approved two intermunicipal agreements for the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center to provide dispatch services to the towns of Norwood and Holliston. The Board also accepted two state grants for police and fire equipment and approved two victualler license renewals.
- Approved IMA with Town of Norwood for HRECC dispatch services (5-0)
- Approved IMA with Town of Holliston for HRECC dispatch services (5-0)
- Accepted $3,500 MEMA grant for two police department generators (5-0)
- Accepted $18,975.15 EOPS/DFS grant for fire department ballistic vests, helmets, medical equipment, and litters (5-0)
- Tabled hire of John Steele as DPW Laborer (5-0)
- Approved 2023 license renewals for Coldstone & Planet Smoothies and Holbrook House of Pizza (4-1)
- Approved minutes from December 7, 2022 (4-0-1)
Finance Committee
The committee established a timeline for the 2024 budget process and held leadership elections. No financial transfers or budget figures were approved during this meeting.
- Approved nomination of Barry as chairperson (5-0-0)
- Approved renomination of Mike as Vice Chair and Brian as Secretary (1-1-1)
Council on Aging Building Advisory Committee
The Board unanimously approved the November 16, 2022 minutes. Budget reviews included the receipt of a $28,500 earmark grant for a new van and the allocation of $2,800 in ARPA funds for food assistance gift cards. The Board also discussed a feasibility study for a new building at the former JFK elementary school.
- Approved November 16, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
- Allocated $28,500 earmark grant and $15,000 earmarked funds toward a new 4-passenger COA van
- Allocated $2,800 in ARPA funds for food assistance gift cards
- Increased hourly rate for Van Drivers
Select Board
The Board established the Fiscal Year 2023 tax classification factor and declined to adopt residential or small commercial exemptions. Other actions included hiring a DPW laborer and authorizing a part-time contract for a Board of Health agent.
- Classified Town under Classification Act at a Factor of 1.75 for FY2023 (2-1)
- Denied Residential Exemption and Small Commercial Exemption for FY2023 (3-0)
- Appointed Patricia Greely to the Open Space Committee (3-0)
- Hired Jesse Baxter as DPW Laborer at $25.52/hour (2-1)
- Authorized part-time contract for BOH agent Abbey Myers at $37.74/hr (3-0)
- Approved 12 Class II Auto license renewals (3-0)
- Approved 1 Class III Auto license renewal (3-0)
- Approved 11 Common Victualler license renewals (3-0)
Council on Aging Building Advisory Committee
The committee approved the November 1, 2022, minutes and selected Habeeb and Associates to conduct a feasibility study for $46,350. Members reviewed current funding balances and discussed requirements for a new Council on Aging (COA) facility. The committee also coordinated the finalization of a COA flyer for the upcoming newsletter.
- Approved 11/1/22 meeting minutes
- Selected Habeeb and Associates for feasibility study at $46,350
- Established monthly meeting schedule for the first Tuesday of every month
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee approved a reserve fund request for alarm systems and National Grid bills, contingent on a revised form. The committee also approved the appointment of Anne Salvia as a new member.
- Approved reserve fund request for alarm systems and National Grid bills (4-0-1)
- Approved appointment of Anne Salvia to the committee (4-0-1)
- Approved meeting minutes for 10/20, 11/3, and 11/16 (4-0-1)
Board of Health
The Board approved a motion to allow resigning Health Agent Abbey Myers to remain on part-time as needed at a rate of $37.74/hr. The Board also noted that the Health Agent position has been posted and will form a subcommittee to handle interviews.
- Approved retention of Abbey Myers as part-time Health Agent at $37.74/hr (Unanimous)
Council on Aging Building Advisory Committee
The Board unanimously approved the October 12, 2022, meeting minutes with corrections. A special earmark of $28,000 was received to be used for a new 4-passenger COA van.
- Approved October 12, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
- Allocated $28,000 special earmark for a new 4-passenger COA van
Select Board
The Select Board ratified a collective bargaining agreement for town clerical employees and awarded a feasibility study for the COA to Habeeb & Associates. The Board also approved various 2023 liquor and entertainment license renewals and reduced the quorum for the Special Town Meeting to 100.
- Awarded COA Feasibility Study to Habeeb & Associates (5-0)
- Approved Town Clerical Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement (4-0)
- Reduced Special Town Meeting quorum from 119 to 100 (4-0)
- Approved 2023 All Alcohol – Common Victualler license renewals (5-0)
- Approved 2023 All Alcohol – Package license renewals (5-0)
- Approved 2023 Wines & Malt – Common Victualler license renewals (5-0)
- Approved 2023 Wines & Malt Package license renewals (5-0)
- Approved 2023 Entertainment license renewals (5-0)
Finance Committee
The committee approved a reserve fund transfer for the 150th anniversary celebration and recommended three articles for approval. A proposal to amend Article 8 for pFas filters was not recommended.
- Approved $993.28 Reserve Fund Transfer for 150th anniversary celebration (6-0-1)
- Recommended Article 6 (3-0-3)
- Recommended Article 9 (5-1-1)
- Recommended Article 10 (5-1-1)
- Not recommended amendment of Article 8 for pFas filters (2-4-1)
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee voted to recommend Articles 15, 16, and 17. The committee voted against recommending Articles 13 and 18. No decision was recorded for Article 6 or Article 3.
- Recommended Article 15 - Limit Elected Officials (4-2-1)
- Recommended Article 16 - Limits on the number of boards (5-0-2)
- Recommended Article 17 - Buy Green Pledge (6-0-1)
- Not Recommended Article 18 - Ban Nips (0-5-2)
- Not Recommended Article 13 - Selectboard Compensation (0-6-1)
Select Board
The Select Board approved an ambulance abatement of $491,681.11 and authorized several personnel appointments for the police department and Local Cultural Council. The Board also awarded a joint salt bid to Eastern Minerals and approved a $100,000 fund transfer for sewer expenditures.
- Approved ambulance abatement of $491,681.11 for July 1 – Sept 30, 2022 (5-0)
- Appointed Casey Surprenant as Permanent Sergeant (5-0)
- Appointed James Hurley as Acting Sergeant (5-0)
- Appointed Greg Hanley as Municipal Hearing Officer (5-0)
- Appointed John Russo, Muriel Powers, and Janet Page to Local Cultural Council (5-0)
- Awarded Joint Salt Bid to Eastern Minerals, Inc. at $72.50 per ton (5-0)
- Approved $100,000 transfer to sewer expenditures account #65-440-5200-5200 (5-0)
- Authorized $500 from Spear Fund for a resident's plumbing repairs (5-0)
Council on Aging Building Advisory Committee
The committee approved the October 4, 2022, meeting minutes. Members discussed three proposals for a feasibility study, with a preference for Habeeb and Associates, though concerns were raised regarding the authorization and advertising of the request for proposal.
- Approved 10/4/22 meeting minutes
- Proposed Habeeb and Associates for feasibility study at $46,350
Council on Aging Board of Directors
The board approved the October 4, 2022, meeting minutes. Members discussed three proposals for a feasibility study, with a preference for Habeeb and Associates, though concerns were raised regarding the authorization of the request for proposal process.
- Approved 10/4/22 meeting minutes
- Discussed $46,350 feasibility study proposal from Habeeb and Associates
- Proposed reducing COA Building Committee Informational Pamphlet to one page front and back
Board of Health
The Board approved the minutes from March 21, 2022. Members discussed rat control on town properties, blighted property policies, and chicken zoning enforcement. No other formal votes were recorded.
- Approved minutes for 3/21/2022
Finance Committee
The Holbrook Finance Committee voted to recommend 11 of 12 warrant articles for the Special Town Meeting, including articles on HCAM revolving fund, unpaid bills, PFAS filter funding, opioid settlement funds, school borrowing rescission, and DPW reallocations. Article 12 (police deputy chief) was recommended 5-1. The committee also voted on individual budget line items, recommending some (e.g., Town Administrator salaries 5-1, Police salaries 5-1) and not recommending others (e.g., Town Accountant salaries 1-5, Police expenses 0-6, Fire expenses 1-5). Two items tied: Council on Aging salaries and Public Library expenses.
- Recommended Article 1 (HCAM revolving fund) 6-0
- Recommended Article 4 (PFAS filter funding) 6-0
- Recommended Article 7 (rescind school borrowing) 6-0
- Recommended Article 12 (police deputy chief) 5-1
- Not recommended Town Accountant salaries 1-5
- Not recommended Police Department expenses 0-6
- Tie on Council on Aging salaries 3-3
- Tie on Public Library expenses 3-3