by Frank Schroth
The comment period on the proposed Milton Mews development on Brush Hill Road ended last Monday. The Milton Board of Selectmen and the Milton Planning Board submitted their comments by the deadline and both boards registered their opposition to the project, a complex of 276 apartments. Both letters cite environmental impacts on a unique ecological area, public safety, and increased traffic in an area unable to accommodate current traffic loads as reasons for opposing the plan.
The project would directly impact Fowl Meadow, an area the Secretary of Environmental Affairs has designated at one of environmental concern. Rare species have been cited there and it’s location is a crucial link in a topographical chain required to maintain the ecological cycle of wildlife and other natural patterns.
The Selectmen’s letter in particular is a sharply worded and thorough rebuke of the project. Their perception of the project and opposition to it has evolved over time. This may be do in part to the efforts of the Swenson family whose home sits both in Canton and Milton. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson appeared on numerous occassions before the board. At two sessions Ms Swenson did a “page turn” review of the letter, encouraging the board to reinsert text that had been removed that she believed was necessary for a more complete picture of the developments consequences. Deborah Felton, Executive Director of Fuller Village also appeared and informed them that she had met with Mass Housing and they had advised her that comments submitted be comprehensive. Fuller Village is part of a neighborhood group that is in opposition to the plan.
The Selectmen in the end were clear – “The Milton Board of Selectmen respectfully requests that the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency determine that the project is not appropriate for the site on which it is to be located, and deny the application for Project Eligibility in this matter.”
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