Select Board removes DPW funding article from May warrant, delays DPW site decision

Holliston’s Select Board voted 3-0 on April 27 to remove Article 20 — the DPW funding article for the proposed Arch Street site — from the May 2026 Town Meeting warrant and to place consideration of a DPW site on a future Fall 2026 warrant. Chair Ben Sparrell said the town recently learned 20 Cross Street may be coming out of Land Court, which prompted the board to “pause” the Arch Street process and reconsider options.

The board took four procedural motions in sequence: reopen the 2026 May Town Meeting warrant, remove Article 20 and renumber remaining articles, amend the wording of Articles 9–16 (changing “accept” to “adopt” per Town Counsel, described as a non-substantive edit), and then close the warrant. Each motion passed 3-0; Tina Hein made the motions and Damon Dimmick seconded.

The board and Town Manager Frank Gervasio stressed that the ballot question tied to the DPW funding will remain on the May 2026 election ballot because it was too late to remove it. The Select Board said they will continue to gather information, including summaries of ZBA minutes and potential developments concerning Cross Street, before asking Town Meeting to consider funding in the fall.

Next steps: Town staff will post warrant changes on the town website and continue examining the Cross Street option. The board indicated it will engage the Finance Committee and other stakeholders in advance of any Fall 2026 warrant article on DPW funding.