by Frank Schroth

On May 7, 1662 Stephen Kingsley, Robert Vose, and John Gill wrote a Petition of Incorporation to the General Court for “that part of Dorchester which is situated on the south side of the Naponset River commonly called Unquatiquisset.” Having been granted liberty by the Towne of Dorchester, these men sought “a second graunt of liberty to become a Township of our selves.” 350 years later to the day, Town Meeting convened at the First Parish Church last night to conduct the town’s business.

It was a historic day and commemorated as such with a piper from the Boston Police Gaelic Column outside, a pealing of bells calling members to the meeting, and that was just the start.

After Town Moderator Brian Walsh swore in the members, Reverend Gordon of First Parish gave an invocation. She began:

Good evening and welcome back. It has been almost 200 years since this body met regularly in this building. We are honored to once again welcome you under our roof. The practice of democracy in Milton has come a long way since those earliest days when you had to be a) a male and b) a church member here in order to vote on any town matters.

She went on to note:

The furious theological debate raging across Massachusetts at that time eventually led, in 1833, to the passing of the 11^th Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution, which finally truly separated church and state. The following year the Reverend Gile stormed out of this pulpit after 27 years, marched across the green and founded the First Congregational Church. Next time you gather it will be on Gile Road.

and concluded:

Every Sunday when we gather here a member of our Parish Committee stands up here to welcome us in and finishes his greeting to any newcomers by saying “This sanctuary is made holy by your presence.” The same is true this evening, and we pray that your deliberations will be thoughtful, civil, and fruitful. Let us pray…

You can find Reverend Gordon’s complete remarks here.

Members of the Middlesex County Volunteers Fife and Drum came down the aisle in advance of a small but fitting tribute to State Representative M. Joseph Manning who has served the town for over half a century. Manning was succinct in his remarks which he prefaced by saying, “It is good to be able to smell roses.” the Massachusetts State Senate issued a proclamation in honor of this man who in addition to serving as a state representative, served 65 years as a Town Meeting Member, served as U.S Marine in World War II and has long serve on the Milton Board of Assessors.

And then the members got down to business. Articles 1 though 5 of the warrant passed unanimously. The Town Moderator recommended that discussion on Article 6 which provides a set aside for collective bargaining agreements be deferred to the following session. It will be taken up this evening.

Article 7 which recommended the town appropriate $1.855,060 for capital items was the last article to be voted on and it received some discussion and was amended slightly. The article will enable town departments to sell vehicles no longer needed. This essentially give all departments the latitude given the DPW in their appropriation article (#16).

Members also raised question regarding the duct work to the high school which was the largest capital project listed, $680,000. Tony Cichello chair of the rebuilding committee, acknowledged that the duct work installed was in hindsight possibly not the best choice but they went with what the funds enabled. Bill Ritchie, head of newly formed consolidated facilities department, said the $680K figure was an estimate in which they had confidence but that the work would be put out for bid. They are looking at a “hard cell” insulation that will be more impervious to snow and will have  a 10 year warranty. The article which required a 2/3 majority passed.

Here are some images from the event. Click on an image for the full picture.

Photos by Catherine Walsh and Frank Schroth