Holden Select Board Approves Licenses, Hears Bridge Failure Warning

HOLDEN — July 21, 2026 — Holden Select Board warns of Salisbury Street bridge failure risk ahead of 2027 state repair. Town Manager Peter Madaus told the board at its July 21 meeting that the bridge, which crosses railroad tracks near Main Street, could fail inspection before the state's scheduled spring or summer 2027 replacement project, potentially forcing a full closure with no acceleration of the repair timeline — a scenario Madaus said would "throw the town into chaos" given the bridge's role as a primary route to Dawson Elementary School. The board also heard that the Holden Police Department will deploy body cameras by end of summer, with equipment and three years of data storage paid for entirely through state and federal grants. State Representative Kim Ferguson and State Senator Peter Durant were credited with securing $50,000 in the state supplemental budget for the Adams Road redevelopment site. The board unanimously approved Karen King to the Board of Registrars, reappointed Constable Kimberly Lynch to a three-year term, and cleared event permits for Holden Days on August 22. A vacancy on the Wachusett Regional School District Committee, created by Meredith Pugh's resignation, will be posted for 30 days with the Select Board aiming to appoint a replacement before the district's first September meeting.