There are two schools that have looked at the space. One is the Campbell School. There are also a couple of businesses that have looked at the space. The property only has approximately 7 parking spaces, so is limited in that regard. Any business would require a variance to the zoning.

They will also be hearing from Paul Krasinski a resident who is proposing a farm based educational center for the Stougthon Land at their 9/16 meeting. They are open to other ideas for use of the land which was left by Governor Stoughton for the benefit of the poor of Milton.

The Selectmen welcome all comments on ideas and impacts. You can attend the 9/16 meeting or contact them directly. You can find their contact info here.

Some highlights include:

• Launching a Mock Trial program which will be directed by Deb Tracy, a Hingham attorney. The MHS mock trial team will compete at the state level. Details will be forthcoming. for more information on the Mock Trial programs sponsored by the Massachusetts Ste Bar, please visit http://mocktrial.massbar.org.
• The Debated Team will start its second year. They had a remarkable debut last year with one squad advancing to semi-finals. Sadly, one of the coaches, Phil Tedesco, has taken a new position with a law firm (Congrats Phil!). Ms. Gormley is looking for a committed individual to help Mr. Fitzgerald, MHS English teacher. You can contact her at 617-696-4808 or email mgormley@miltonps.org.
• And. . . Milton High is looking to revive the Wildcat Marching Band after a 20 year hiatus. They will be taking the filed during half time at football games sporting red and black uniforms, representing a “powerful symbol of community pride and tradition,” says Gormley. They welcome donations to support the effort. Please contact Ms. Gormley at 617-696-4808 or email mgormley@miltonps.org.

You can find Ms. Gormely’s full email blast here.

“The need is constant. The gratification is immediate.” Click here to schedule an appointment to donate

WHEN: Sept 17 12:00 – 5:00pm
WHERE: Milton Hospital Main Building / 92 Highland St / Milton, MA 02186
Donation Types: Blood, Double Red Cell Donations
Notes: Coupon for $7 off Jiffy Lube Signature Oil Change

Much of what Kernan told us he would later present at the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting reading from a prepared statement. For example, he is thrilled that two of his team’s three goals were met. The goals were to have the town secure control of the rink, the second is to have the rink managed by a non-profit and the third was to have the access and fees for constituent groups protected. “Two out of three is great . . . and that the town now has a controlling interest in the rink by the town is worth it’s weight in gold,” Kernan said. He also made it clear tha the group was not simply a bunch of hockey parents about a team comprised of individuals with deep knowledge and expertise in rink management and business. It was  a team he believed had all the requite skill to manage the rink responsibly and deliver to the community a set of programs that would fill the ice time and address the deficiencies of the existing business model as it existed under the DCR. Those deficiencies included poor energy management, over-staffing, and a lack of marketing.

Kernan’s team, the Ulin Rink Management Corporation, a group formed to provide non-profit agnostic management of the rink, lost the bid to Curry College. The board of Selectmen chose Curry because they believed it had the stronger financial stability and deeper facilities management experience. But Kernan has concerns about the choice of Curry College. We are not anti-Curry; but they are a user group [of the rink] and it is inappropriate to have a user group manage it.” The rink is a taxpayer resource and as such the group will need  to operate it in a manner that is consistent with it being a taxpayer resource.  Kernan questions how the town will monitor the group’s financial performance. How does one quantify the benefits accrued to the school and how they may change (or not) over time. As a user group they have a vested interest and in Kernan’s opinion that presents the town with a management problem.

Will Kernan’s group play a role going forward? “We are not going to go away . . .we think there is a role we can play, ” said Kernan. Whatever role there may be is to be determined. The Selectmen will be finalizing the contract with Curry next week and the plan is to have the rink open on the 15th of this month. But Kernan is positive. “Anything can happen if you manage it.”

Kernan is especially grateful to his group. “The people I met were just terrific, offering expertise, advice, and encouragement. We got to know each other from a business point of view and a friendship point of view.”

A separate post on the Selectmen’s meeting during which Kernan spoke will published shortly.

Bert Jacobs hesitated briefly before deciding to schedule the Life is Good Festival on the ninth anniversary of 9/11. But the two-day music benefit headlined by Ben Harper and Jason Mraz celebrates hope, and that’s a good reponse to 9/11. (Read the full story here. You can find a post on festival details here.)

Two construction workers were removed from a manhole on Adams Street in East Milton Square after one of the men passed out shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday. (Read the full story here.)

Ms.Tagliaferri is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, where she earned a BFA in Fine Art and a MA in Art Education and Museum Studies. She has spent close to 25 years working in museums. They include the Worcester Art Museum, the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, the RISD Museum in Providence, Mount Washington Observatory and the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, in Tamworth, NH.

In announcing Ms. Tagliaferri’s appointment, Mary Wendell, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “Robin’s enthusiasm and deep respect for the mission of historical houses are contagious. She is eager to strengthen and broaden the museum’s role in the community, and to invite and encourage more people to become involved with the Forbes House.”

“Robin’s commitment to the Forbes House is already evident,” says Wendell. “She has been hard at work during August establishing goals for herself and the museum for the coming year, connecting with the community and learning the ins and outs of the house.” Tagliaferri has also been working with the museum staff to shape the coming year. In her new role as Director of Public Programs, Chris Sullivan is eager to focus on programming, and Lauren Pauly, Manager of Marketing & Events, will build upon her work with publicity and graphic design.

Ms. Tagliaferri is excited by the opportunity and its challenges. “We are a staff of three with one full-time position, but we are committed to sharing the Museum’s resources with as many folks as we can.” said Tagliaferri.

Tagliaferri welcomes suggestions for museum programs and inquiries into new educational initiatives at Forbes House Museum. Contact her at the Museum office at (617) 696-1815 or by e-mail at r.tagliaferri@forbeshousemuseum.org.

Gov. Deval Patrick, who lives in Milton near the multi-use path along the Neponset River, has declined to weigh in on how the state should make the trail connect Pope John Paul II Park to the Hyde Park neighborhood and Mattapan Square to Milton’s Central Avenue. (Read the full story here.)