Holden, MA

Community Garden Committee

Council on Aging

Council on Aging

The Holden Beach Council on Aging meeting will begin with the Chairman’s Report, including a vote to accept the minutes from the October 1, 2025 meeting. Subsequent reports from Friends, HELP at H.O.M.E., the Board of Elder Services, the Director, and the Age and Dementia Committee will be presented. The agenda also includes time for old business, new business, and a citizens’ address before adjournment.

• Chairman’s Report – acceptance of October 1, 2025 minutes
• Friends Report
• HELP at H.O.M.E. report – September data
• Board of Elder Services report
• Director’s report – Karen Phillips

Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board

The Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board is holding a regular meeting with routine items: quorum, minutes approval, financial and operations updates, and manager's report. The board will also enter executive session to discuss trade secrets or confidential proprietary information, and will not reconvene in open session afterward.

• Approval of minutes from May 26, 2026
• Financial update
• Operations update
• Executive session on trade secrets or confidential proprietary information

Planning Board

The Holden Planning Board is meeting remotely to review several property applications. They will consider an Approval Not Required (ANR) plan to split one lot into two at Adams Road, continue a site plan review for parking lot changes at 100 Industrial Dr, and hold a pre-hearing review for a site redevelopment at 0 Main Street. The board will also review and approve minutes from a previous meeting.

• 87 Adams Road and 0 Adams Road: ANR to create 2 lots from 1 lot for municipal use
• 100 Industrial Dr: Continued hearing on site plan review for parking lot modifications
• 0 Main Street: Pre-hearing review of site redevelopment with revised submittal
• Minutes from 7/14/26 to be reviewed and approved

Zoning / Zoning Board of Appeals

The Holden Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on a special permit request to construct an addition on a pre-existing, non-conforming lot at 72 Broad Street. The board will also review meeting minutes from June 18, 2026, and discuss new or other business.

• Public hearing for special permit at 72 Broad Street
• Review of June 18, 2026 meeting minutes

Holden Housing Authority

The Holden Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes and financial reports, hear the executive director's report, and vote on three resolutions: an affirmative action plan, a fair housing marketing plan update, and accepting a low bidder for solid waste and recycling collection services. The board will also discuss several state notices from EOHLC regarding capital projects, grants, and data reporting.

• Resolution 2026-16: Approval of Affirmative Action Plan
• Resolution 2026-17: Update Fair Housing Marketing Plan
• Resolution 2026-18: Authorizing acceptance of low bidder for solid waste & recycling collection services
• Approval of June and July 2026 financials
• EOHLC PHN 2026-7: Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update

Agricultural Commission

The Holden Agricultural Commission is holding a routine meeting via Zoom. The agenda includes reviewing past meeting minutes, introducing a potential new member, and receiving updates on local agricultural initiatives such as Central Mass Grown, the Red Barn, and the Farmer's Market. The meeting is primarily procedural with no major decisions or public hearings listed.

• Review/Accept past meeting minutes for April, May, June
• Potential new member introduction: Bryan Donovan
• Update on Lands of Local Importance
• Updates on Central Mass Grown, Red Barn, Farmer's Market
• Discussion on Forest Management and Chapter 61 Video

Board of Selectmen

The Holden Board of Selectmen is meeting to handle routine business, including a citizen address period, appointments, and a presentation from Ripple Fiber. They will also receive updates from the town manager and on the WRSD School Committee appointment process. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major policy decisions listed.

• Zoning Board of Appeals reappointment of Nancy Kielinin to expire 7/29/29
• Common Victualler License for Sweets and Java
• Ripple Fiber presentation
• Update on WRSD School Committee appointment process

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission will consider the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Blue & Gold Star Memorial Project. The commission will also vote to approve the minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting. No other agenda items are listed.

• Blue & Gold Star Memorial Project – application for Certificate of Appropriateness
• Approval of June 3, 2026 meeting minutes

Health Department/Board of Health

The Holden Board of Health is meeting to approve minutes from prior meetings, review completed Title V septic inspections and systems being installed or repaired, and hear the Health Director's report. They will also discuss updates on risk control plans at two food establishments and changes at the Leicester Regional Public Health Coalition. The meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

• Approval of minutes from May 26, 2026 and July 14, 2026
• Review of completed Title V inspections
• Review of septic systems being installed or repaired
• Update on Risk Control Plans at two food establishments in Holden
• Update on changes at Leicester Regional Public Health Coalition

Water and Sewer Division

The Holden Water and Sewer Advisory Board is meeting to receive updates from the superintendent, review the budget, discuss a rate study, and continue reviewing sewer rules and regulations. They will also hear updates on the iron and manganese project in the Jefferson area, the ECC site, and a court case involving the City of Worcester and DCR sewer rates.

• Water and Sewer Superintendent Update
• W&S Budget Update
• Iron and Manganese-Jefferson Area Updates
• W&S Rate Study Discussion
• Sewer Rules and Regulations-Articles III continued review

Community Garden Committee

The Community Garden Committee will review previous meeting minutes and discuss maintenance updates for the garden. The body will also coordinate upcoming events and projects involving schools and scouts.

• Upkeep updates regarding mulch, knotweed, and cistern areas
• Planning for yoga, open house, and Holden Days events
• School and Scout projects
• Community Harvest coordination
• Committee appointment under old/new business

Conservation Commission

The Holden Conservation Commission will consider several Notices of Intent for construction projects within wetland buffer zones, including single-family homes at 8 Grace's Way, 2 and 4 Deanna Drive, and expansions at 100 Industrial Drive and 945 Main Street. The agenda also includes requests for determinations of applicability for fiber-optic conduit installations and a road paving project, as well as certificates of compliance for past wetland work. An Eagle Scout project proposal for a new map kiosk at Trout Brook Conservation Area is also scheduled.

• Notice of Intent for single-family home at 8 Grace's Way (Lot 7R) within 100-foot regulatory buffer
• Notice of Intent for single-family homes at 2 and 4 Deanna Drive within wetland buffer zone
• Notice of Intent for building addition and parking expansion at 100 Industrial Drive (UMass Memorial Health Care)
• Notice of Intent for redevelopment at 945 Main Street & 1 Salisbury Street within buffer zones
• Request for Determination of Applicability for fiber conduit installation on Wachusett Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Malden Street

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will review the status of personal and real estate property for Fiscal Year 2027 and discuss motor vehicle excise commitments. The agenda includes updates on data collectors and training, as well as plans submitted for approval at 616 South Road and Kendall Road.

• Review Fiscal Year 2027 personal property status
• Review Fiscal Year 2027 real estate status
• Review motor vehicle excise commitments/abatement totals
• Review Chapter 61 plans for 616 South Road
• Review Chapter 61 plans for Kendall Road

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen will meet to discuss town updates, including a seasonal population estimation for the ABCC and timelines for the upcoming town election. The agenda includes routine items such as warrant signing, website updates, and the approval of various permits and appointments.

• Board of Registrars Appointment (Karen King)
• Public Entertainment License (Holden Days)
• Parade Permits (Holden Days, Dragon Dash)
• Constable Reappointment (Kimberly Lynch)
• ABCC Seasonal Population Increase Estimation

The Board unanimously appointed Karen King to the Board of Registrars for a term expiring March 31, 2027. They also approved several licenses and permits for Holden Days and the 5k Dragon Dash, reappointed Kimberly Lynch as constable, and approved the annual election officers and the state primary warrant. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included updates on town projects and discussions on traffic safety and election timeline options.

• Appointed Karen King to Board of Registrars (unanimous)
• Approved Public Entertainment License for Holden Days (unanimous)
• Approved Parade Permit for Holden Days (unanimous)
• Approved Common Victualer license for Holden Days (unanimous)
• Approved Parade Permit for 5k Dragon Dash (unanimous)
• Reappointed Kimberly Lynch as Constable for 3-year term (unanimous)
• Approved annual appointment of election officers (unanimous)
• Approved State Primary warrant (unanimous)

Agricultural Commission

The Agricultural Commission will meet to review past minutes and discuss the status of potential new members. The body will receive updates on the Lands of Local Importance, Central Mass Grown, Red Barn, and the Farmer’s Market.

• Update on Lands of Local Importance
• Central Mass Grown update
• Red Barn update
• Farmer’s Market update
• Review of Chapter 61 video and WWW accomplishments list

Holden Historical Commission

The Holden Historical Commission will continue work on Main Street properties numbered 826‑925. Members will troubleshoot any problems they encounter with the Worcester Registry of Deeds website. The committee will also discuss which additional properties to research.

• Continue work on Main Street properties (#826‑925)
• Troubleshoot member issues with Worcester Registry of Deeds website
• Discuss potential properties for future research

The Holden Historical Commission met on July 14, 2026, with two members present (Chuck Skillings and Rory Manier) and one absent (Diane Lyden). The meeting was informational and procedural, focusing on how to use tax records and the Worcester Registry of Deeds to improve property documentation. No formal decisions, approvals, or votes were made.

• No formal decisions or votes taken at the meeting
• Discussed using tax records to refine construction dates for Main Street properties
• Demonstrated use of Worcester Registry of Deeds for pre-1960 property searches

Health Department/Board of Health

The Board of Health will review an FDA grant policy and an update on the 340 Causeway project. The agenda also lists completed Title V inspections and systems being installed or repaired at various locations.

• Title V inspections completed at 89 Boulder Hill Rd, 14 Wilde Willow, 987 Wachusett St, 106 Newell Rd, 176 Putnam
• Systems being installed/repairs at 2400 Main St, 40 Cannon Rd, 590 Reservoir, 35 Chapin Rd, 114 Mason Rd
• FDA grant policy review
• Narcan training update
• 340 Causeway update

Planning Board

The Planning Board will review bond reduction requests for the Greenwood Estates and Pine Tree Estates developments. It will also consider a site redevelopment application for 198 Union Street, which does not require approval under the Subdivision Control Act. Additional items include special permit and site‑plan reviews for properties on Main Street, Salisbury Street, Industrial Drive and a mixed‑use project at 0 Main Street, where the applicant has asked to withdraw. The board will review and approve minutes from June meetings and discuss meeting format.

• Greenwood Estates – bond reduction request
• Pine Tree Estates – bond reduction request
• 198 Union Street – approval not required (ANR) under Subdivision Control Act
• 945 Main Street and 1 Salisbury Street – special permits and site‑plan review for redevelopment
• 0 Main Street – mixed‑use site redevelopment; applicant requested withdrawal

Water Sewer Advisory Board

The Holden Water & Sewer Advisory Board will review and approve minutes from the May 12 meeting, receive updates on water quality issues, the ECC site, and a court case involving Worcester and the DCR. The board will also discuss a proposed sewer extension and related easement. Additional items include continued review of sewer rules and planning future topics.

• Review and approve minutes from 5/12 meeting
• Iron and Manganese – Jefferson Area updates
• ECC site update
• City of Worcester–DCR sewer rate court case update
• Sewer extension and sewer easement discussion

Finance Committee

The Holden Beach Finance Committee will meet to review the FY27 budget season, approve minutes from a previous meeting, and elect officers for the 2026-2027 season.

• Review FY27 budget season
• Approve minutes from 6/11/26 ATM
• Election of Officers for the 2026-2027 Season
• Schedule next meeting
• FinCom miscellaneous

Conservation Commission

The Holden Conservation Commission will consider several Notices of Intent for single‑family homes and additions that propose grading or building within 100‑foot regulatory buffers to bordering vegetated wetlands or riverfront areas. It will also hear requests for determination of applicability for culvert replacements on Holden Reservoir #1 (South) and #2 (North) and an enforcement order for restoration work at 440 Bailey Road. Project updates for various subdivisions and road work will be presented.

• Notice of Intent – 8 Grace’s Way (Lot 7R) – construction of a single‑family home within 100‑foot buffer (Greenwood Estates, Jackson Woods Investments, New England Environmental Design LLC, Martelli Construction)
• Notice of Intent – 889 Salisbury Street – three single‑family homes, septic systems, utilities within 100‑foot buffer (MacKay Family Irrevocable Trust, Eco‑Tec, Inc.)
• Request for Determination of Applicability – Culvert Replacement on Holden Reservoir #1 (South) – town will replace failed culvert and repair roadway
• Request for Determination of Applicability – Culvert Replacement on Holden Reservoir #2 (North) – similar replacement and repair
• Enforcement Order – 440 Bailey Road – restore 100‑foot vernal pool buffer by replacing loam, seeding, and installing demarcation boulders (Seibold Family LLC)

Stormwater Committee

The Stormwater Committee will review and approve land disturbance permit applications for three properties and discuss future meeting topics. The meeting is scheduled for June 30, 2026.

• Review LD-2025-8 at 889 Salisbury Street
• Review LD-2026-17 at 58 Highland Ave
• Review LD-2026-18 at 650 Manning Street
• Discuss topics for future meetings
• Discuss next meeting date

Holden Housing Authority

The Holden Housing Authority Board will review and vote on a contract for accounting services (Resolution 2026-15). The meeting will also update the language access plan (Resolution 2026-14) and receive reports on finance, administration, and the tenant organization. Regular minutes from May 20, 2026 will be approved.

• Resolution 2026-15: Accounting Services Contract
• Resolution 2026-14: Update Language Access Plan
• Approval of April and May 2026 financial statements
• Executive Director reports on elections, policy, and conferences
• Leased housing and state‑aided housing reports

Planning Board

The Holden Beach Planning Board meeting will review and vote on a partial covenant release and bond for Salisbury Pine Tree Estates, a special permit for a fast‑food use at 601 Main Street, and additional special permits and site‑plan reviews for 945 Main Street, 1 Salisbury Street, and 0 Main Street. The board will also approve the minutes from the June 9, 2026 meeting and a special permit for a common driveway at 71 and 81 Sterling Road.

• Salisbury Pine Tree Estates – partial release of covenant and approval of Phase I bond amount
• 601 Main Street – special permit for fast‑food use
• 945 Main Street and 1 Salisbury Street – special permits and site‑plan review for redevelopment
• 0 Main Street – special permit for mixed‑use site redevelopment
• 71 and 81 Sterling Road – special permit for common driveway

The Holden Planning Board approved a special permit for a grab-and-go fast-food use at 601 Main Street (former dance studio) and approved a partial release of covenant and bond amount for Phase 1 of Salisbury Pine Tree Estates. The board continued hearings on two larger projects—945 Main St./1 Salisbury St. and 0 Main St.—to July 14, 2026, for further review and votes. No votes were taken on those continued items.

• Approved partial release of covenant and bond amount for Phase 1 of Salisbury Pine Tree Estates
• Approved special permit for fast-food use at 601 Main Street (MCL Custom Caterers)
• Continued hearing for 945 Main St. and 1 Salisbury St. to July 14, 2026
• Continued hearing for 0 Main St. mixed-use redevelopment to July 14, 2026
• Approved special permit common driveway for 71 and 81 Sterling Road

Zoning / Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a continued public hearing on an appeal of a zoning enforcement order for the property at 400 Sterling Rd, involving Ryan and Lynn Snee and alleged commercial use of a residential property. The board will also consider new business, including approval of the meeting minutes from May 21, 2026.

• Continued public hearing on appeal of a zoning enforcement order for 400 Sterling Rd (Ryan and Lynn Snee)
• Consideration and approval of meeting minutes from May 21, 2026

Agricultural Commission

The Holden Beach Agricultural Commission will review and accept past meeting minutes, discuss updates on local lands, the Central Mass Grown program, the Red Barn, and the farmer’s market, and decide on a member reappointment. The committee will also plan the July meeting schedule and consider an educational video presentation.

• Review and acceptance of April, May, and other past meeting minutes
• Member reappointment decision
• Updates on Central Mass Grown, Red Barn, and farmer’s market programs
• Discussion of new member recruitment and July meeting schedule
• Educational video presentation and content critique

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen will consider permit applications for a Farmer's Market and a 5K road race. The meeting includes a presentation on the Dawson Recreation Center Pool and a discussion on town election timelines.

• Farmer’s Market Permit Application for Home Fruit Wine
• Parade Permit for Central Mass Striders 5K Road Race on 7/26/26
• Agricultural Commission reappointment of Chris Hugo (expires July 17, 2029)
• Dawson Recreation Center Pool presentation by Recreation Director Allie Connell
• Discussion of Town Election timelines and Board of Selectmen terms

The Board of Selectmen approved a farmer's market permit, a road race parade permit, and a commission reappointment. The Recreation Director presented data on declining pool pass revenue and proposed new non-resident and grandparent pass options, which were discussed but not decided.

• Approved Farmer’s Market permit for Home Fruit Wine (unanimous)
• Approved parade permit for Central Mass Striders 5K Road Race on July 26, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Chris Hugo to the Agricultural Commission (unanimous)

Cable Advisory Cable

The Cable Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the operating budget and review the FY 2027 budget. The committee will also hold a discussion regarding additional revenue.

• FY 2027 Budget review
• Operating Budget discussion
• Additional revenue discussion

Stormwater Committee

The Stormwater Committee will consider the land disturbance permit application LD-2026-16 for the property at 543 Bullard Street. The committee will also discuss topics for future meetings and set the date for the next meeting. The meeting will conclude with an adjournment.

• Review of Land Disturbance Permit Application LD-2026-16, 543 Bullard Street
• Discussion of topics for future meetings
• Determination of next meeting date

Planning Board

The Holden Beach Planning Board will review and approve minutes from the May 26 meeting. It will consider a subdivision amendment to split a lot at Bailey and Chapin Roads, which does not require formal approval. The board will hold hearings on special permits for driveway access at 71 and 81 Sterling Road and for new commercial uses at 945 Main Street and 1 Salisbury Street. Finally, it will decide on a special permit for signage at 944 Main Street.

• Subdivision amendment (ANR) to create two lots from one at Bailey Road and Chapin Road
• Special permit hearing for a common driveway at 71 and 81 Sterling Road
• Continuance hearing for special permits for new commercial uses and site improvements at 945 Main Street and 1 Salisbury Street
• Review and approval of minutes from the May 26, 2026 meeting
• Decision on special permit signage for 944 Main Street (former Sunnyside Motors dealership)

The Planning Board approved an ANR plan to create two lots at 0 Bailey and 0 Chapin Roads, and granted a special permit for a common driveway at 71 and 81 Sterling Road. The board also approved a signage special permit for 944 Main St. (former Sunnyside Motors). The hearing for 945 Main St. and 1 Salisbury St. was continued to June 23, 2026, pending written approvals from DCR, DPW, and HMLD.

• Approved ANR plan for 0 Bailey and 0 Chapin Roads to create two lots (motion by Doyle, seconded by Read, passed)
• Approved special permit for common driveway at 71 and 81 Sterling Road (motion by Doyle, seconded by Lies, passed)
• Approved signage special permit for 944 Main St. (motion by Carlson, seconded by Doyle, passed)
• Continued hearing for 945 Main St. and 1 Salisbury St. to June 23, 2026 (motion by Carlson, seconded by Doyle, passed)
• Approved minutes of May 26, 2026, as corrected (motion by Carlson, seconded by Doyle, passed)

Holden Historical Commission

The Holden Historical Commission will discuss work on Form B records, including updating forms for 826‑925 Main Street, checking for any existing forms and updating data, consolidating older forms into a single document, and training newer members on using the Worcester Registry of Deeds online.

• Form B work
• Update B forms for 826‑925 Main Street
• Check for previous forms and update with new data
• Consolidate older forms into one form
• Show newer members how to navigate the Worcester Registry of Deeds online

The Holden Historical Commission members examined digitizing Form B documents, discussed how to date Main Street properties using tax records versus GIS data, and explored using the Worcester Registry of Deed site for pre‑1960 property information. No formal actions, approvals, or votes were recorded.