by Frank Schroth
The Board of Selectmen took a site walk of land being considered for development on Brush Hill Road. The developers are seeking the support of the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, and NepRWA for a land swap with the DCR. The property is occasionally referred to as Brownfields. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a brownfield site as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” This may explain why the benefits to the developer are clear and those to the DCR and the town of Milton are less so.
The owners of the ~3 acre property, which has an abandoned paper mill factory and other structures, are Ken Mackin and Tony Caruso. Paul Sullivan is working with them on the project and was present on the site walk along with Emily Innes of the Planning Board, Leroy Walker, a neighborhood resident, Maura O’Gara of NepRWA and all three selectmen.
According to Denis Keohane, Chair of the Selectmen, “the developer would like to build 20-30 town homes. In return for the land swap, the developer would tear down the old factory and then we (Milton) would expect DCR to make a park there with the bicycle trail going through it alongside the Neponset river.”
In a conversation with Bill Clark, Town Planner, he explained that a principal reason for the swap is to enable access for residential development. The current parcel they own has an issue with access. The DCR property has frontage on Truman Parkway and access to a residential development would not be an issue.
The DCR would receive a 3 acre property with waterfront along the river in exchange for a 2 acre property. However, the environmental issues may reduce any appeal the increase in acreage provides. The river has great outdoor recreation potential; but it would require removal of the dam which could stir up PCBs.
Board of Selectmen at Truman Parkway site
Last Tuesday, 9/17, the Board of Appeals ruled that Thayer Nursery had to move their landscaping business off the current premises. Neighbors John Rowe and Phillip Johenning, whose property abuts Thayer Nursery, claimed that Thayer’s businesses are having an adverse impact on their property. They were appealing Joe Prondak, the building commissioner’s decision not to pursue an enforcement order. He declined to pursue it due to a pending appeal before the land court. That appeal has been languishing for years and the applicant has moved away (ie the owner of the property prior to Mr Johenning and Mr. Rowe). Thayer’s nursery business can remain.
It remains to be seen if Thayer will appeal the ZBA’s decision. Regardless, they will need to move the landscaping portion of their business off that site.