by Frank Schroth
Not all members of the Milton Womans Club are pleased with the 4 residential unit development proposed for the site of their property on Reedsdale Road but the majority are. That, along with the seeming universal support of the neighbors, appear to make the development inevitable.
John Morrill, who has a P&S with the Womans Club, appeared before the board with Paul Sullivan, who is assisting with the project, and Scott Henderson, an engineer, presented an update to the plans. He reiterated that 4 units were required for the project to be financially feasible and if it were less, he would withdraw. The primary concern regarding the development and one reason for the high cost of development are the drainage issues. Morrill is committed to addressing the issue and is taking measures that will relieve some of the neighbors of a chronic problem they have had due to the low topography that the properties share. This accounts for some of their support. The neighbors also voiced support for the project because it is residential. One abutter said the options were to do nothing or to have an institutional use. Concerns with the latter include parking, noise and light pollution.
The proposal will required the Planning Board to grant a number of waivers such as reducing the right of way, the pavement width (the 4 houses will be accessed from a new lane to run off Reedsdale), and no sidewalks.
Two members of the club, Vicki McCarthy and Janet Christensen, voiced their opposition to the plan. Ms. McCarthy said a focus group of 10 members had formed a committee to promote alternatives. One option, Ms. Christensen said, it to create a park named in memery of Mary Webster the first President of the club. Also present was the attorney for the club. He acknowledged that it was an emotional issue. He stated that the board of the club made the decision to sell. It was brought before the entire club and voted on with the majority voting in favor of the sale. The proceeds of the sale will allow the club to make charitable gifts to the town such as scholarships for Milton High school graduates.
Bonnie Healy, who is a member of the club and an abutter, spoke in support of the development. She said, “Times change, and so must we.”
Chair Whiteside polled the board for the initial thoughts on the concept and whether they approved. Member Duffy opposed the development and argued that the development should be two homes with frontage on Reedsdale, Member Lynch did not support development at this time and Members Whiteside, Kelly, and Innes, supported the development.
Earlier in the session the Planning Board voted to retain the service of Community Circle for the second phase of development of Milton’s Master Plan. The factor that seemed to push the vote in favor of Community Circle was their skill in providing comprehensive outreach to the community. This was key consideration of the Master Plan Committee which sat through the Master Plan presentations. The concern with Community Circle was their size. The other firm contending was Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc., a larger firm with potentially more resources and experience at their disposal. Whiteside said Community Circle did not have much depth of planning and that “[VHB] was far and away the best compalny and undoubtedly would do the best job.” That opinion was not shared by the majority. Kelly, Innes, and Lynch voted for Community Circle. Whiteside and Duffy voted for VHB.