Mark Kaferlein

This town-wide strategic plan for Holliston, developed through extensive community engagement over two years, outlines seven strategic priorities. The plan, which is a 5-year living document, focuses on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, promoting education and lifelong learning, driving economic development, ensuring responsible land use and water quality, advancing sustainability with targets for 2030 and 2050, enhancing services for the senior population, and improving community engagement. Its core vision is to create a vibrant, livable, and inclusive town by emphasizing responsible financial planning, transparent governance, and collective aspirations.

The meeting agenda indicates that the primary focus scheduled for this session is a Superintendent Search Interview. The session format will utilize remote participation options, and all votes taken will be conducted via roll call. Procedures for public comment were detailed, outlining time limits based on the number of registered speakers, and emphasizing respectful discourse directed through the Chair.

This meeting agenda outlines proceedings for the Holliston School Committee. Key anticipated discussions include the commencement of the regular session and conducting an interview for the Superintendent Search. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format, with provisions noted for remote participation under the suspension of certain Open Meeting Law provisions as of March 31, 2025. Procedures for public comment, including time limits based on the number of speakers, were detailed.

The agenda for this meeting includes an update from the Superintendent Evaluation Sub-Committee, reports from the Student Representative, and the Superintendent-Director's report covering updates on the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), Career and Technical Education (CTE) selection, and District Counsel matters. Financial matters to be discussed include a general budget update and a Non-Salary Financial Expenditure Report. The meeting structure also allocates time for an Executive Session.

Key discussions during the meeting included the status of drafted Rooster Regulations, which are awaiting Town Council review before a public hearing scheduled for February. Public comments expressed concerns regarding the reasonableness of these regulations related to noise and welfare. A significant portion of the meeting involved an update on Phase 1 of the downtown Sewer Project, detailing grant funding received, the timeline for bidding and construction (anticipated to start in fall 2026 and finish spring 2027), and the need for Town Meeting approval of the sewer district. The Director's Report outlined 2026 goals, including revising Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permit forms, changes to Sharps container collection since CVS stopped participation, and updating tobacco definitions to align with state verbiage, with further discussion planned for the next meeting. The Board also approved several invoices.