Holland Select Board votes to form ADA commission, debates Sickles property terms

HOLLAND -- December 4, 2018, Holland Select Board establishes ADA commission and debates cost of Sickles property deal. The board voted unanimously at its December 4 meeting to create a standing Americans with Disabilities Act commission following a recommendation from Adrian Pucci of the Massachusetts Office on Disability, who advised the town it needed a commission to stay current with accessibility compliance requirements. A board member challenged the terms of a proposed Sickles property acquisition, presenting GIS data showing three parcels with a combined assessed value of $234,500 and approximately 200 total acres, and arguing that the town's proposed $235,000 outlay would secure only 17 acres, roughly 10 percent of the property, while commercial zoning may cover as few as 7.1 acres, not the 17 acres claimed. The board agreed to renegotiate with the open land trust but said no action would be taken until a pending state grant decision is known. The board also approved official town photo ID cards for officials and volunteers working outside Town Hall, and deferred action on a municipal electricity contract renewal after two existing account numbers could not be matched to known facilities.