by Frank Schroth

Council on Aging (COA) board member Michael Balfe and COA Director Mary Ann Sullivan appeared before the Selectmen at their meeting last Tuesday to summarize a report that highlights Milton’s inadequate funding of the Council on Aging as compared with similar communities and “seeks to right a wrong” in the words of Mr. Balfe.

Mr. Balfe said “We have been shortchanging our seniors since 2000.” He cited a number of facts in support of that statement. He noted that the average senior in Milton pays ~$8,000 in property taxes but gets very little back for that. Seniors in Milton are receiving about $15 less than their peers in comparable towns. (see highlights from COA report below). He requested that the appropriation be increased by $100,000. He estimated this amount to be an increase of ~$15 per household in Milton, an amount he squared to “a rounding error in the town budget.”

Ms. Sullivan added that there is a critical need for a van driver to take seniors to medical appointments and other essential errands. The demand is outstripping the COA’s ability to meet it. She referenced the Master Plan Committee’s identifying of the coming growth in the aging population and that she is seeing that already with increased demands for programming from people who are entering retirement. She noted that there is a wide range in needs from people in their sixties to people in their nineties. She said it was time for the seniors to get a little more in terms of services. Forty per cent of the COA budget is covered by donations. This is a number Balfe and Sullivan want to see reduced.

Member Hurley said there is “clearly a problem.” and Chair Conlon added that “You do not always get the recognition you deserve.” At the close of the session Hurley returned to the topic saying that “[we] have to look at those numbers more carefully . . .  if [we are] not keeping pace with other communities [we need] to find a way to right a wrong. It serves an important and growing constituency.” Please see bottom of post for a couple of excerpts from report.

In a 2-1 vote the Selectmen pulled two articles from the upcoming Town Warrant related to the Swift Hat shop. One article dealt with the gifting of the Hat Shop to the town and a second with the transfer of a parcel of land from the Park and Recreation Department to the Board of Selectmen. Member Conlon, while acknowledging the interest in preserving the building, felt the articles were not properly baked and that there were too many open questions. On hearing this Member Keohane asked, “Can you give me an example of an open question Katie if you can think of any?” She mentioned a couple. Officials need to determine “whether it is park land or not.” There is the question of what the house would be used for and how its ongoing maintenance would be financed.

One question not cited but relevant to the issue is what if anything Mr. Roberts, owner of the building, would want or expect from the town in exchange for the building. Member Hurley cited the open question of whether it is an Olmstead park. He wants the building preserved but agreed that questions needed to addressed. Keohane said “Time is money in this business. . . we do not want another Hendries Building.” He argued that if “we leave until May (town meeting) we will not talk about it until April.” Conlon did not agree that the discussion would be delayed. She suggested appointing committee. Hurley did not endorse that but did agree on pulling the articles. The articles were pulled with Keohane opposing.

The board also voted to withdraw the articles related to an appropriation for tree plantings that was made at recommendation of Senator Joyce who believed that there could be matching funds from the state. The Warrant Committee had voiced some concerns about an appropriations article as those are generally dealt with at the annual town meeting in May. As it happens, the DPW has some surplus funding available as a result of savings from awarding of solid waste contract. DPW Director Joe Lynch is in agreement with Selectmen to use $10,000 toward tree plantings and possibly qualifying for a matching state contribution.

Other business included but was not limited to:

• A discussion with TownTreasurer Jim McAuliffe regarding the town’s investment options. The town’s investments are currently limited to 22 stocks. McAullife would like the town to look at a home rule petition that would enable the town to follow a “prudent investment role.” He said several towns are pursuing this to allow them more flexibly on investments as a means to avoid the fluctuations of the market that the restricted 22 stocks impose. Holliston is one example. The prudent investment role would enable the town to select from the S&P 100. The board agreed to take the recombination under advisement.
• Chief Wells presented two officers for lateral moves into the department to fill vacancies. They are Officer Tracy Manion who comes from the Plymouth Police Department and Bart Forzese who is currently a Sgt Detective with the Hull Police Department. Both appeared before the Selectmen to answer questions and speak to their qualifications. In their answers both cited the importance of community policing and developing strong relationships with the residents. Both have been actively engaged in community service activities.

(Editorial aside: If you want to get a glimpse of what makes a police officer a police officer, watch Officer Manion’s response the question from the selectmen on what the most difficult situation she ever had to deal with was. She gives an honest and emotional response that is both admirable and insightful).

The board approved the hires. Chief Wells said that he was recommending these officers due to the experience they will bring to his department which overall is very young. They are the first lateral moves he has done as Chief but believes they are in best interest of department and community. The board all approved a new cadet, Jamie Mitchell of Pleasant Street.

• The board voted unanimously to defer the demolition date of the Hendries building to November 30 from September 30.

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excerpts from the presentation from the Council on Aging