Holden Sewer Mediation With Worcester Begins

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of October 26, 2026

Holden selectmen heard that sewer rate mediation with Worcester began this week, with a mediator's decision expected around mid-December. Town Manager Lukes said the town will need a new Worcester contract before consultant Weston and Samson calculates possible rate reductions tied to the town's settlement, with a board vote on rates expected after January 2027. Selectman Aranzoni asked "Are both parties obligated to accept the mediated rate?" and Lukes confirmed they are.

Lukes also reported the town clerk's office had mailed 4,030 ballots for the November election and received 2,210 back as of October 22, and that verbal job offers for the vacant dispatch center director and water/sewer superintendent posts had both been accepted. The board approved four backlogged sets of meeting minutes and voted 5-0 by roll call to enter executive session on the pending Attorney General v. Town of Holden lawsuit.

In the full story:

• Cultural Council Appointment
• Procedural steps and outcome: The board voted unanimously, with the Chair noting "it is unanimous."
• Town Manager's Update: Facilities and Fire Apparatus
• Town Manager's Update: Staffing
• Town Manager's Update: Election Preparation
• Town Manager's Update: Sewer Rate Mediation
• Town Manager's Update: Regional Networking and Community Events
• Approval of Minutes
• Selectmen's Miscellaneous: CERT Response to Sterling Line-of-Duty Loss
• Selectmen's Miscellaneous: CMRPC Alternate Seat and Committee Assignments
• Executive Session: Attorney General v. Town of Holden
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,505 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.