Selectmen Meet January 9th

by Bobby Blair 1/9/12

Selectmen approve liquor license transfer

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Jay Marsden announced that he would be dropping the town's health insurance effective February 1st. Marsden became the first sitting selectman to take advantage of the benefit which is available to elected officals receiving a stipend. While enrolled and as a selectman voting on pending health insurance issues, Marsden had to take himself out of discussions Monday night concerning Massachusetts General Law 32B sections 21-23 concerning health benefits.

Carl Damigella, Holliston's representative to the MetroWest Regional Transportation Authority requested and received permission to place several more signs (above) in front of Town Hall and St. Mary's Church indicating bus stops for Lift #6.

A liquor transfer hearing was held requesting a transfer of a full liquor license from Holliston Wine and Spirits owned by Jack and Kerri McCarthy at 92 Central Street in the Hollis Plaza, to Nevin and Rita Patel owners of Route 16 Beer and Wine at 1560 Washington Street in the Village Plaza in Metcalf. Rochelle Wagner, owner of the Wine House at 76 Central wrote a letter to the selectmen inquiring as to the full liquor license and spoke during the hearing. Wagner was under the impression that the license owned by the McCarthy's would revert to the town as a "clean" license becoming available to those who applied. Holliston Wine and Spirits recently shut their doors and vacated 92 Central Street. Wagner in her letter told selectmen she intends to move to the vacated location at 92 Central Street in early March. The transfer to 1560 Washington Street was approved by Selectmen Marsden and Conley. Selectman Jay Leary was not present for this portion of the meeting.

Selectmen following a request by the local Garden Club gave their support to a bill pending on Beacon Hill regarding a new bottle bill which will be more inclusive regarding what cans and bottles must have a deposit and can be returned.

Selectman Kevin Conley gave two thumbs up regarding the Holliston Police Department's obtaining a police K-9. Board Chairman Marsden while voting in favor said he was happy to move forward and have the planets line up but wanted the program to have a five-year limit. Funds are being raised privately.

A waiver of fees for use of the upper town hall was granted to the Holliston Pantry Shelf for their yearly Souper Bowl which will be held on February 4th.

A full house was present to hear Selectmen discuss Municiipal Health Insurance. Chairman of the Board Jay Marsden recused himself from discussions as he is enrolled in the town's health system. Several spokespersons representing local educational unions spoke against changing the status quo pertaining to bargaining unit employees health insurance coverage. Enacted by the Leigslator last summer MGL 32B changes Group Insurance Benefits.

Marybeth Numbers (above) representing the Holliston Teachers Federation referred to a hand out saying that Holliston teachers are at the botton of a list of area teachers when it comes to health benefits. The list included 10 area towns with Framingham teachers receiving a 87% town contribution to health benefits vs Holliston's 60%. Bill Dowd of Shaw Farm Road who has been vocal on town financial matters suggested board members to approve 32B. Discussions lasted 85 minutes and were, as requested by Selectman Leary, civil. While Selectman Conley gave an opening statement, Leary seemed to sum up the thoughts of the board when he said "the present system is unsustainable". The board voted to enact MGL 32B. 

Posted in Politics.

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