by Frank Schroth
Last Tuesday the Board of Selectmen heard from residents representing two different citizen groups during the Citizen Speak portion of their agenda. One opposes access off Lodge Street to a proposed synagogue and another to a 40B development in the Hillside, Ford Ranch Road neighborhood.
Chris Stone of Lodge Street stated he and his neighbors had collected 400 signatures that support them in their opposition to Lodge Street access to the proposed temple to be built on land owned by the Gordon family. The petition states that Lodge Street is densely populated and access to the synagogue would be unsafe, detrimental to the neighborhood, that the access road is too small for the use according to Milton bylaws and would substantially increase traffic.
In his remarks Mr. Stone made several points:
- the 400 signatures came from across town
- that “We do not want our lives impacted by people well connected within town and feel entitled to get whatever they want no matter who it affects.”
- that there were members of the temple who did not object to access off Lodge Street
- that “We feel like we are hitting our heads against a wall” as the Gordons do not seem willing to listen to the neighbors concerns
- that the neighbors were not speaking out of “fear” but concern about safety etc on their street and that they did not want those concerns brushed aside by the selectmen
Chair Denis Keohane asked for a point of clarification regarding whether the neighborhood is in favor of the temple and just not in favor of the access from Lodge Street. Mr. Stone said that the neighbors were unified in their opposition to access off Lodge Street but that he could not speak for everybody regarding whether they favor the temple, “that is a separate issue.” Keohane urged him to keep the dialogue going.
Ralph Jaeger, President of the Hillside Neighborhood Association read a statement on behalf of the association regarding their opposition to a proposed 40B development being brought forward by Todd Hamilton. The Planning Board denied Mr. Hamilton an open space special permit for 2 or 3 homes on a 15 acre parcel that would have access off of Hillside Street. Mr. Hamilton is taking that decision to court. Separately, he is in the process of developing a 40B proposal that would put between 50 – 70 units on the site. The Hillside Neighborhood Association unanimously voted their opposition to this. In the statement Mr. Jaeger cited traffic and safety as key concerns. He also mentioned environmental concerns, specifically the wetlands crossing from Ford Ranch Road. When Mr. Hamilton was pursuing his open space special permit he was encouraged to have access from Ford Ranch Road. Further, Jaeger argued that the small number of affordable units does not warrant the adverse effects the overall development would have on the neighbors. Mr. Jaeger concluded by saying that the association is asking the selectmen to take their concerns into consideration while they seek to engage Mr Hamilton in a discussion of alternative proposals that he would find attractive.
Members of the Board of Assessors, Bill Bennett and Jim Henderson, along with Chief Appraiser Jeff D’Ambly presented their recommendations regarding taxations and classification of property for FY14. There were 4 recommendations:
- that no residential exemption be adopted
- that no open space discount be adopted
- that no small commercial exemption be adopted
- that a minimum residential factor of 97.855 be adopted
There will be a change of 3.6% in the tex rate. As an example, a home with a value of ~$516,317 will have a tax increase of $269 for FY14. The Board of Assessors are available to answer questions. You can find more information including contact information on their web page here.
Other business included but was not limited to:
- a request from Member Conlon that the DOR report be put on agenda for an upcoming meeting
- a request from Member Conlon that the Town Administrator check in with moderator on status of Town Government Study Committee appointments
- Michael Blanchard was introduced as Assistant Town Administrator. Ms Fagan joked, “He started yesterday and actually came back again today.”
- Town Administrator Fagan said Congressman Capuano would be in town for a Q&A on airplane noise on Monday 12/16 at the Council on Aging.
Perhaps those who understand what this project and the “protest” means in terms of generosity, commitment, and tolerance would like to sign a petition backing the Lodge Street access!
And the 2nd statement about “entitled people” is such an insult and disservice to the Gordon’s extraordinary gift
It continues to be a sad situation that the gift of land for the temple as well as the additional land gift to the town for conservation is being sabotaged by the argument for where the access road will be, That it is expected that the Gordons should now agree to even more demands on the limits of their gift (already agreed to construction vehicle access via their own driveway) is simply a specious attempt to delay or even stop the project. If you believe for one second that access off Gun Hill Road is safer, I suggest you drive it but be ready for a narrow, curving, country lane rather than the straight road with clear sight lines that Lodge Street provides.
Yes, there will be an “impact” but of all the structures and traffic (minimal except for 2-3 holidays a year) that could be generated by other development on that land, the neighbors need to rethink their
concerns.
this will generate
I am extremely sad to see that people in our town are opposing the establishment of a place of worship. I believe that reconstituting the Milton Temple would provide a shelter for believers: a gathering place well within our constitutional freedom of religion and right to congregate. I am a naturalized US citizen and have been a proud resident of Massachusetts for 28 years. This kind of organized opposition has destroyed any illusion I previously held about living in a democracy.
In the interest of transparency: I am not a member of any religious or any political organizations, but I am originally from Europe, a continent still torn by wars and genocide. Generalized hostility is how it all began.