By Ken Cleveland
Landmark Correspondent
HOLDEN – There were only three articles on the special town meeting warrant, but voters turned out in force.
The Oct. 17 meeting drew 518 voters, who passed all three articles.
The article that essentially ratified plans to do road improvements along Shrewsbury Street was passed after explanations, and some objections, mainly to including traffic circles – the dreaded “roundabouts” – but the benefits of the project were extolled.
Among those benefits was the $12 million in funding the project would bring and safety improvements.
Voters also passed an article that seeks to fund recreational upgrades at the Dawson playground area and build athletic fields and other facilities adjacent to it on the 18 Industrial Drive property that the town used to build the new DPW facility.
The final Dawson project approval is contingent on a vote at the November election, when voters will decide on a planned $5 million debt exclusion borrowing. If that passes, taxes will be increased for the life of the 15-year borrowing. But the overall $7.7 million cost would be reduced by using ARPA funds, and various revenues are expected to reduce the amount taxpayers actually have to contribute.
The impact on the average home, valued at $380,000, would be about $38 a year, Town Manager Peter Lukes said.
Voters also approved spending $65,000 that had been planned for design work on the proposed inclusive access playground adjacent to the Holden Municipal Light Department at 1 Holden St.
