Marijuana Fine, Solar Farms Among Items for Tonight's Town Meeting

A fine for marijuana users and a bylaw to regulate commercial solar projects are among the articles Holliston residents will vote on at tonight's town meeting. 

The annual gathering of Holliston residents to vote on town bylaws, budget items and regulations begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Holliston High School auditorium. 

A bylaw proposed by Police Chief John Moore could mean an additional $300 fine for those found smoking marijuana in public areas. It is listed as article 29 in the meeting's warrant. 

"We hope, based on a high civil fine, people will think twice about smoking in a public place," Moore said. 

Proposed by the Holliston Planning Board, article 34 on tonight's agenda is a bylaw that would regulate for-profit solar projects in residential areas of town.

"We would be able to regulate these projects and close the loophole that we face under Massachusetts General Law," Sandra O'Neil, a supporter of the bylaw said.  

Other items on the warrant include article 14, a possible fee for curbside trash collection and a a series of items to approve the town's $52 million budget.