August is a slow time of year and the agenda for last night’s Selectmen’s meeting reflected that. Paul Krasinski, who was scheduled to present his plans regarding the Stoughton Town Farm, did not appear. The primary issue board discussed was a letter that had been drafted by Chairman McEttrick regarding their recommendation on options being reviewed by the DCR for the extension of the Neponset bike path.
In the letter the Selectmen are identified options B, C, and F as “desirable” options (Note: Please view the bottom of this post for illustrations of the proposed options. Also, option F refers to a concept proposed by Milton resident John Cronin. His proposal which is under consideration by the DCR is also outlined in post referenced.)
Option B has the path starting in Milton and cutting over to the Boston side of the Neponset at the Ryan Playground, Option C has the path exclusively on the Boston side of the river, and Option F (Mr. Cronin’s proposal) is a modification of Option C but with the path beginning and ending in Milton. The selectmen’s recommendations are made in response to the concerns voiced by a good number of vocal Capen Street residents. They strongly objected to options that had the extension cutting through the Capen Street trolley stop. They cited increased crime, general safety, and noise as all increasing with those options.
Selectman Sweeney felt it was time to take a stand and acknowledged that the choices they made would not make everyone happy. Shields felt it was a “wonderful letter and we should send it.” There was some discussion of holding off on the letter as the DCR is awaiting more information regarding possible impacts to historic preservation. McEttrick also noted that there is no information on cost impacts of various options and that funding for the project has not been secured. However, the Selectmen in their letter make clear that may alter their recommendation as more information becomes available.
The board closed the warrant for Special Town Meeting. They discussed the article regarding the height of accessory structures. This article is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The “rock” being a sense of urgency as identified by Chairman McEttrick to address the issue as there are residents who have voiced displeasure at neighbors who are violating the spirit of the zoning by erecting accessory structures (e.g. garages) that are excessively high. The lack of a height restriction has been identified as deficiency by at least one judge hearing a case on this matter. The “hard place” is that there is no time to get it “ready.” McEttrick identified a “technical flaw” in the article. It does not include side lots but only back lots. To include the side lots requires another hearing and to have either a fifth article or an amendment to existing article. The board will close the warrant as is and possibly address the omission pending outcome of Planning Board meeting on Wednesday. The warrant is scheduled to go to the printer today.
In other business the board together with trustees of the Cemetary Board appointed Amy Dexter to the Cemetary Board of Trustees to fill the vacancy created by Anthony Sammarco leaving. They also will issue a proclamation commending !Celebrate Milton! on its 17 years as a force in civic celebration and community building.