from The Dorchester Reporter
. . .$212,500 grant to improve Eliot Street in Milton. Although heavily traveled by both cars and pedestrians, only two-thirds of the roadway has curbing. The funding will be used to improve signage, crosswalks, and add new curbing on the remainder of Eliot Street, Forry noted in the announcement. The street is densely-populated and there are three trolley stops in the area. (Read the full story here.)
Last night the Board of Selectmen discussed and established the order in which articles will be presented at the Special Town Meeting to take place February 22nd.
The four articles will be considered by Town Meeting in the following order:
When the School Committee agenda came to old business Mr. Huban brought up the issue of his arrest on New Year’s Day. He recounted the event and the subsequent meetings he had. He is attending meetings on a weekly basis. He reiterated that it was a personal matter. To the committee, the administration and the audience at large he said, “I am truly sorry.”
He thanked all those who have expressed their support. During Citizen Speak three individuals including former committee member Jeff Cruikshank voiced support for Huban and their desire to see him remain on the board. One individual, Dr. John Knight, Director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research at Children’s Hospital, stated Mr. Huban should resign his position. In his remarks Mr. Huban said he appreciated the comments from those who said he should resign and would incorporate them “in making myself a better person.” He closed by repeating, “I am working to make myself a better person.”
In other business the School Committee heard from PAC. PAC is the Parent Advisory Committee on Special Education. PAC presented the Committee with a comprehensive letter detailing progress made and concerns going forward. Kimberly Zieselman, who has special needs twins in the schools, presented on behalf of PAC. She identified the progress made with co-taught classrooms at the elementary level, the addition of the New England Center for Children (NECC) classroom at Collicot, the improved communication such as the mention of special ed status in Ms. Gormley’s email blast of last November. Ms. Zieselman also listed a series of concerns. Chief among them were the risk of special ed initiatives being chipped away as a result of fiscal pressures on the district. She also flagged the achievement gap as evidenced by lack of AYP progress at Pierce, Collicot, and Glover. Communication while improved, could be better. For example, there was a world language committee formed but without any representation from special needs parents.
At the last Town Meeting Milton elected to impose a meals tax. Towns in the area have been wrestling with the issue. With town budgets tight, the revenue is appealing. However, some argue that increasing taxes when the economy is in a recession is imprudent. Following is an article on Braintree’s recent decsion.
from The Patriot Ledger
The town council has rejected a plan to add a local tax of 0.75 percent on restaurant and take-out meals.
Wednesday’s vote came a day after Plymouth voters overwhelmingly overturned a town meeting decision to add the meals tax.
The vote was 6-0, with three council members abstaining, saying they wanted to see more study of the plan. (Read the full story here.)
from WBUR
Coakley Brown Kennedy Milton 6,436 6,347 86 50% 49% 1%
You can find complete state results by town here.
from The Boston Globe
Boston’s Winter Restaurant Week doesn’t arrive until March, but those eager for quality culinary creations at wallet-saving prices can head to the inaugural Dorchester-Milton Restaurant Week from Jan. 17-31 (excluding Friday and Saturday nights). Visitors will be rewarded with three-course menus for $30.10 at eight participating restaurants. Among them are Abby Park and 88 Wharf in Milton, eateries that opened just last summer in a town formerly devoid of full-service restaurants with liquor licenses. (read the full story here.)
Commentary by Frank Schroth
[NOTE: Last night at the close of the School Committee meeting (after this was originally posted) when the chairman asked about old business, Mr. Huban spoke. He recounted the event of his January 1rst arrest and the subsequent actions and meetings he has had and will have regarding that.
And then he had this to say; “I am truly sorry . . . and I am working to make myself a better person.” And with those heartfelt words Mr. Huban gave another teachable moment. He taught that one can be humble and courageous in the face of personal adversity. He set a good example and taught an important lesson.]
No one wanted to talk about it. But they did.
At their 01/12 meeting on January 12th, the School Committee addressed the recent event in which one of their members, Chris Huban, was arrested for driving under the influence. It was Ms. Kelly who put the issue on table. It was Mr.Lovely who cut through the awkward ambiguity of third person references to the individual sitting to his left, “We are talking about Chris.”
Ms. Kelly stated her opinion that Huban should resign, because he sets an example for the town and the students in particular. Mr. Lovely said he would not support any censure. He cited Mr. Huban’s courage in admitting to the charges and felt the matter is a personal one. Sheridan and Pavlicek agreed with Lovely. Ms. Bagley-Jones was more critical, but did not expressly ask for Mr.Huban to resign. Mr. Huban was silent during the discussion.
All seemed to agree on one point; it was a “teachable moment.” The question is: what was the lesson taught?
from The Patriot Ledger
Flying over the city of Port-au-Prince on Saturday, all the Rev. Robert Butler could see was devastation.
“Damage, damage, damage. Homes just demolished,” was the Rev. Butler’s description of what he saw looking out the window of a military helicopter. (Read the full story here.)
from The Patriot Ledger
Some residents view the town farm property as an optimal location for addressing Milton’s shortage of affordable housing.
Many neighbors oppose development of the site; they want it designated a historic landmark and the dilapidated buildings restored.
Selectmen will decide the fate of the 34-acre parcel, which was donated to the town in 1701 by Gov. William Stoughton. He donated it as a charitable trust with the instructions that it be used to benefit the poor.(Read the full story here.)
Local resident Keith Wick is participating in Run For Haiti: One Day to Make a Difference – a fundraising effort to provide financial support for Partners in Health, a health organization co-founded by Paul Farmer which has been active in Haiti for over 20 years.
Keith has pledged to run 25 miles (1 mile for every $100) pledged. The event is taking place today – that’s right, Keith is out there running up and down Brook Road and Blue Hill Parkway. It is not to late to show your support for Keith and the cause he endorses. You can make donations to sponsor Keith here.
from Wicked Local Walpole
It seems that any time the Milton High School boys’ hockey team has a Muse in the net, the Walpole Rebels are not amused. Instead, it usually spells trouble.
Right now the Wildcats are on their third Muse, senior Mike, and nothing has changed much. (Read the full story here.)