by Frank Schroth

DPW director Joe Lynch reviewed two developments with the Selectmen that required their approval. The first was to move forward with a grant stemming from Safe Routes to School initiative. This is a nationwide program that encourages students to walk or ride their bikes to school. There is an opportunity to make infrastructure improvements to the Canton Avenue / Brook Road intersection to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. This would involve a raised crosswalk, new sidewalks, and changing Voses Lane to one-way among others. The Selectmen approved unanimously Next steps are to initiate engineering and hold public hearings on the matter. The work would not require any local funds. The timeline for the project is in FY 2015.

Mr. Lynch also discussed a MAPC grant opportunity that would assist the town with storm water management. Regulations are going to become stricter and the funds would be used to look at regionalizing and issues of new permitting. Lynch said that the competition for the grant money is highly competitive and recommended that Milton along with the other towns partnering each contribute $5,000 toward the initiative to make the bid attractive. Nine towns would participate. The deadline is 11/22 and the grant would likely be awarded in late January or February.

Lastly, Lynch reviewed a number of recommendations from the traffic commission regarding signage in town. They include a one way stop at Magnolia Road, a one way stop on Ferncroft, two hour parking restriction on Valley, Valley Extension, and Avalon Roads (this due to commuters using the streets for parking while taking T into town). They also discussed Governor’s Road. Two residents had spoken during the Citizens Speak portion of the meeting to press the case for the need to address the safety concerns. They said there are 44 children on the street, all but two under the age of 11. They recommended extending the Edge Hill Road median. This would require drivers to make a right onto Edge Hill. Selectman Hurley expressed concern that if that were done, drivers would then loop around Jack Rabbit on Boulevard and right again on Edge Hill. Lynch noted that the problem is in Quincy and that they were “trying to stem the tide at the end.” He also said signs were not the solution and that the major issue based on data is not speed but excessive volume. Selectman Conlon recommended circling back and entering discussions with Quincy. They have not been cooperative in the past.

The board went into executive session to discuss the town owned portion of the Hendries property. When they returned to open session they took a vote to extend the date to award the bid until 11/12. There is currently a single bid of $1,000 from Carrick Realty.