by Frank Schroth

The persistence of a neighborhood community group and the gentle insistence of Selectman Katie Conlon resulted in the comment letter being submitted by the Board of Selectmen to MassHousing regarding Milton Mews, a 40B proposed development, to get slightly sharper teeth. The selectmen approved the letter pending changes discussed and will give it one more look before submitting by the deadline (end of business Monday).

Mr & Ms Swenson are two of the neighbors that have been vocal in their concerns regarding the development. Their home is both in Canton and Milton, though as Mr Swenson noted, they pay their taxes in Milton. Mr Swenson, an attorney specializing in corporate governance, took advantage of Citizen Speak to again ask that the selectmen consider adding language to their letter regarding whether the developer Mill Creek has the systems in place to catch and rectify ethical lapses and workplace mishaps (e.g. spills etc). Mr. Swenson, an expert in corporate compliance, has been after the selectmen to add language regarding this issue for some time. He contends that Mill Creek, an off shoot of Trammel Crowe, is derelict in this regard (see related post here). He was not asking the selectmen to endorse his opinion but to encourage them to have Mass Housing look into the issue. Town Counsel John Flynn expressed some concern with inclusion of the language, principally due to liability. Member Conlon would later suggest some revisions to the language that the selectmen endorsed and town counsel felt reflected a neutral position on the ethical practices of the firm.

Ms. Swenson, a member of the Friends of the Blue Hills and a frequent presence at meetings in which the Board discussed Milton Mews, did a page turn of the letter with the selectmen making recommendations that language that had been cut out be returned. Her recommendations in some parts increased the scope of concern and / or added detail and specificity to concerns. When the selectmen took up discussing the letter later with Town Counsel Flynn and Town Planner Bill Clark, Mr Flynn appeared to accept the majority of Ms. Swenson’s suggestions. He did not want to accept language changes that discussed zoning. Flynn argues that the whole purpose of 40B is to allow bypassing of zoning to local developers who address affordable housing issues. He said the issues such as density were addressed. There was also  discussion about a second means of egress. The developers have not identified one. That may be an issue for Mill Creek. They are also going to have serious issues with environmental laws. The proposed development may possess some MEPA violations. Again it was member Conlon who asked that some additional emphasis and detail be put on the environmental impacts (wetland disturbance) and to cite examples of consequences (e.g. threats to blue spotted salamander).

The Conservation Commission will also be filing a letter as will the Milton Planning Board. All comments are due by close of business of Monday. The selectmen approved the comment letter subject to last nights revisions being included. They will take one more look and then deliver Monday.

In other business:

• The selectmen approved a proposal to improve live broadcast capability from the Blute conference room downstairs at town hall. The improvements witll include better video quality and flexibility. The Blute room can hold a larger audience. MATV has a live hookup in the room but needs to set up and break down equipment. This will obviate need for that.
• The selectmen approved a victualers license for the Coffee Break Cafe to operate at the Bent’s location.
• Residents opposed the flight path changes made by FAA spoke. They asked the selectmen to endorse a letter they had written. Member Keohane seemed at a bit of a loss saying, “How do you fight them, is my question.” Sheryl Fleitman quoted resident Paul Yovino, “Keep squeaking.” There is going to be a meeting at the Blute conference room at Town Hall on June 13th at 7:00pm. Learn more here. Member Conlon asked if the Selectmen had the most current version of the letter. The selectmen seemed to be in consensus to support it.