Photo courtesy of American Classic Images

Commentary by Frank Schroth

Update: Representative Walter Timilty corrected a misperception that I and many in town have with regard to the current legislative session. It was my understanding that the current legislative session ended on July 31 and that any business that was not acted on by then would expire. Representative Timilty informed me that is not the case. The session does not end. The legislature continues to meet informally every 72 hours after July 31st.

The bill before the house regarding a liquor license for a property in East Milton can continue to go through the process after July 31 if necessary. Timilty expects the bill to clear the House within the next couple of weeks. He is a sponsor of the bill and has been working with the chairmen of the committees the bill needs to pass through in order to be “engrossed” by the house. It will then move to the senate, both houses will need to enact it ( a pro forma step according to Timilty) and then it will go the Governor for his signature.

The following commentary has been amended to reflect this. The fundamental position taken has not changed. 

What will it take to make East Milton vibrant again?

Another restaurant might help. But for that to happen Milton needs the support of the Massachusetts legislature.  And we need it soon.

Not long ago there were a wide variety of goods and services in East Milton. Alas, there is no longer a movie theater or hardware store, no longer a bowling alley or 5 & 10 or flower shop. Is a richer range of goods and services something to be wished for? If so, a nice restaurant could be a good next step to helping that area become more of a community magnet and destination. Few businesses can anchor and improve a business district better than a solid restaurant.

East Milton has one good restaurant, Abby Park, and another (or two) may be on the way. This will provide healthy competition, an alternative for diners, inject needed vitality into a lackluster commercial district, and provide revenue to town coffers.

The spot for this new restaurant would be the old East Milton movie theater, which has been long vacant. It is owned by a local firm, the Falconi Companies, with offices in East Milton.

The owners, who live here in town,  are in the early stages of rehabbing the building. Here is a preliminary treatment:

I met with Jeanne Schmidt and Debra Aylward, who together with their brother Bob run the firm. Their hope is to put a restaurant in the space. To do that they need a liquor license. Town Meeting passed an article In May requesting that a license be issued. At the moment House Bill #4191, pending in the legislature, would award a license. The bill has the support of both Representative Timilty and Senator Joyce. Currently the bill is before the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

The Falconi company is under the impression, as many in town are, that the legislative session ends at the end of July and that any matters before the joint bodies that are not resolved in that time will expire with the session (please see update above). If that were the case, Ms. Schmidt said they would put in an apartment building. “It’s what we do.” (i.e. property management of apartments and businesses). They cannot afford to have the building sit vacant. Any use is better than no use, but a restaurant would, in our opinion, be a much, much better use. We hope all efforts are made to get this bill out of committee and before the Governor in a timely fashion.

We also hope that Mr. Chan, who has long sought to expand his business and offer a “sit-down” dining experience, will also receive approval for the pending license he seeks (Bill 2166).

The issuing of the licenses does not guarantee they will be awarded. The Selectmen will do that. If they do not believe these establishments will be of a quality and type fitting to the square, they can withhold them. We doubt that will be the case. Both of these firms, Mr. Chan’s and the Falconi Companies, are known quantities. Giving them the opportunity to take the next step in developing businesses that have the potential to further energize the square is all for the good of the town.

Similarly, seeing a mixed-use development on the site of the Hendries property is also in the best interests of the town. The opportunity for this to happen is slight. However, the Board of Selectmen are going to discuss the issue at their meeting this evening. They are reviewing a proposal that, as we understand it, will:

• deed the town owned portion of the property to Carrick Realty
• have Carrick Realty be responsible for demolition of the entire building by September
• develop the property as mixed use according to modifications made to the original mixed use plan that was denied by the Planning Board.

This would relieve the town of the cost of demolishing its portion of the building. Covering the cost of demolition, etc., in exchange for the town-owned parcel will likely require an act of the legislature as the parcel would not be put out for public bid. Time is not our friend here.

Most importantly, if developed as mixed use, the property would have the potential to reinforce the vibrant momentum created by the businesses already operating in that district and add to the commercial tax base. This is the reason to do it and why it is the best use of the spot. The town acquired the land to influence the development. The market value of that parcel is not the issue, the best use of the parcel is the issue. A large building is going to go up there and one with commercial space will be better than one without.

Will the Connellys agree?

We won’t know if we don’t ask.

From statements made recently by the Chair of the Planning Board Alex Whiteside, the Connellys are noncommittal and do not have any interest in appearing before the Planning Board again. Whiteside recently said that if this were to happen there would be a hearing and an “up or down” vote.

It is natural to question the haste of this. No one has seen the modified plans; but Whiteside said the areas of non-compliance with zoning had been addressed.

We are in favor of going for it, because if we do not the opportunity for commercial growth will likely be lost forever, and that would be truly unfortunate. The Connellys are currently pursuing a 40B development. Of the 40B developments currently being pursued in town, this one is the most appropriate for the location. It is a good fit and a good use for the spot. Is it too big? Yes, but 40B’s typically are. Will there be traffic issues? Yes, what development does not introduce traffic issues?
The alternative to a last pitch for mixed use is for the town to roll the dice and let a 40B proceed. The town can oppose the 40B before the Zoning Board of Appeals. If the ZBA denies the comprehensive permit, it will likely be appealed. Appeals generally go in favor the developer.

As a practical matter, commercial development in East Milton and the Central Avenue business district is development we need. They are two of the few commercially viable spots we have in townm and if they fail, the opportunities will be lost.

These projects are the best uses for those locations, and we hope our elected officials at both the municipal and state levels will do whatever they can to make the “best use” happen. The probability of coming to be is fairly good for East Milton. For Central Avenue, probably not so much. But nothing will happen without effort and citizens’ active support.