the following was submitted by the candidate

With just days to go before the upcoming April 2014 election, the race for the open Town Planning Board seat just got a whole lot more exciting as Michael Hale formally announced that he will seek election to the Milton Town Planning Board.

We caught up with Hale taking a short break from the campaign trail. “Milton is a great community with a lot going for it – great people, exceptional schools, plenty of parks, and a small town feel just minutes from Boston,” he said sitting on the back tailgate of his pickup truck, “But, there’s always room for continued improvement, which is where good planning comes into play.”

Hale works as Director of Infrastructure Architecture for Steward Health Care in Dorchester, where he develops IT solutions that have nothing to do with property zoning.  Hale said, “My job requires collaboration and decision-making, and at a growing company, that means getting it done right and getting it done right and getting it done quickly.”  Hale earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Siena College, and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Boston University.  He is also a member of the Milton Capital Improvement Planning Committee, where he helped develop capital funding plans for next year’s town budget.

“My wife Margaret and I and our 2 young kids Shannon and Ethan love Milton,” he said as he gestured towards the horseshoe pits in the corner of his backyard at 500 Brook Road (Precinct 3), “I can’t wait for it to get warmer.  Me and neighborhood guys have a lot of fun back there on summer nights.”

When asked why he was running for Town Planning Board, Hale said his campaign platform is focused on a few key issues facing Milton, like the excessive tax burden that is placed on Milton Residents. “Over 97% of the tax revenue is generated by Milton’s  residents – that’s too much. I believe that we need to evaluate carefully planned commercial development, and must also think beyond just retail business expansion. While the 3 main business centers are suited for some redevelopment, there are other areas for opportunity.” he stated.  Hale uses the DPW lot on Granite Avenue as an example of a prime location for mixed use commercial/retail and residential development.  “Expanding retail offerings and creating office space to bring an office workforce to Milton, like filling the vacant office building at 2 Granite Avenue, would lead to more commercial revenues and benefit local businesses.  It’s a significant potential economic opportunity.”  He continued, “Capital budget shortfalls and limitations are hindering Milton’s ability to maintain and develop areas like our schools, roadways, recreational facilities, and transportation.  Quite simply – we need to grow the pool of funding without significant tax increases for residents.”

Hale is also concerned about Chapter 40B issue, but has a different perspective than his fellow candidates.  “The fact of the matter is that less than 5% of Milton residential properties meet the Subsidized Housing Inventory commitments.  That means Milton would have to build or reclassify about 500 low-income housing units to meet the state-mandated quota – that’s just not feasible.”  he said. Hale believes we need to improve our zoning processes and relationships with real estate developers to make a more collaborative working environment where threats of Chapter 40B comprehensive permits are the exception, not the rule.

Hale also stressed the need to move forward with the implementation of the Master Plan.  “I plan on raising my family and growing old here in Milton,” he said as his children ran to his side, “and hope the voters select me to be part of the Town Planning Board and Master Plan execution so that our community continues to prosper well into the future.”