by Frank Schroth

A post yesterday regarding the Board of Selectmen’s meeting indicated that a cornucopia of items and issues were discussed. In addition to Hendries and sewer/water rates, the board also discussed articles for town meeting, received an updates from Health Director Caroline Kinsella, Senator Joyce, and Emily Innes of the Planning Board.

Ms Kinsella provided an update on adverse airplane impacts citing a Massport study. The issue of impacts has been something of a front and center issue in the town for some time. A grassroots group formed, Milton Citizens Against Aviation Impacts, and has been lobbying the Selectmen and other elected officials to take steps to reverse the increase in airplane traffic over Milton (find related posts here). At Monday’s meeting the Selectmen formally voted to form a committee jointly with the Board of Health to work on the issue. They voted both the charge of the committee and the members. The charge to the committee is to seek solutions that will minimize the or alleviate the hazards the noise, air pollution, and the low elevation of aircraft flying over the town and work with related officials, departments, and committees on the issue and to educate the public on the committee’s efforts and the risks posed by aircraft and, lastly, report to BoS and BoH twice a year. The members voted onto the committee are:

• Denis Keohane – Secretary, Board of Selectmen
• Roxame Musto – Chair of Board of Health
• Michael Blanchard – Asst Town Administrator
• Caroline A. Kinsella – Milton Health Director 
• Chris Zambuto – Massport Citizen Advisory member
• David Godine – Massport Citizen Advisory alternate member
• Anthony Compagnone, MD – residnet and health advisor to Board of Health
• Wilfred Hynes – resident
• Muna Killingback – resident
• Daryl Warner – resident

Senator Joyce appeared before the board and apprised them a nuber of initiatives that are under way at the state house that will have potential benefits to Milton. These have been mentioned in recent posts. He spoke at some length on continued improvements to Blue Hill Parkway and the jumbled intersection of Blue Hill Ave, Eliot Street, Blue Hill Parkway, and Truman Highway (what am I leaving out?) While the specifics of the design are not yet formalized, special attention is going to be paid to making that area safer for all, including pedestrians and bicyclists.

Emily Innes of the Planning Board met with the selectmen to review the housing production plan. Ms. Innes has been working with Katie Conlon, Chair of Selectmen, on the next step in the development of a housing production plan. They have worked with Planning Director Bill Clark and with the GIS department at the DPW to identify potential town owned parcels that would be potential sites for affordable housing. The properties she mentioned, which she had previously identified at a meeting of the Planning Board, inlcuded the tract of land off the land fill road, the state park & ride lot on Granite Avenue, and the lot at 0 Central Ave. Other possibilities include properties taken by lien, part of the property by the police station, and possibly re-purpsoing fire houses if new fire stations are built. Member Keohane pointed out that of those only the land off the land fill road is owned by the town. Innes noted that this parcel is possible problematic due to need to rezone and, more importantly, being designated as an Native American site of artifacts. Innes said the the town would need to work with Massachusetts Historical to see if they would reduce the size of the umbrella they have put over the property.

Innes also mentioned that the Planning Board is likely to submit an article for Special Town Meeting asking that an implementation committee be formed to oversee progress and actions to be taken as a result of the Master Plan.

Additional articles for Special Town Meeting came up during the course of the meeting. Kristine Hodlin, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, reviewed an article the trustee are submitting that requests a member of the trustees be appointed to the Capital Improvement Committee. Ms. Hodlin cited the investment made in the library by the community and the desire of trustees to see that investment protected. Member Keohane said, “You should have a seat.” Chair Conlon noted that would make for an even number on the board which could result in a tie vote. She also wondered if they should think about Cemetery and Parks and Recreation. Hurley noted that those committees had never asked but adding additional from each could make for an unwieldily committee. Conlon also asked if they “should look at the composition of the committee more broadly”. She concluded saying it is something for town meeting to decide and that they should think about the number. (Note – I am a member of the Library Board of Trustees)

The board also reviewed a set of articles being prepared by the Planning Board. These include but are not necessarily limited to a bed and breakfast article, a companion article that would allow for a tax on B&Bs, two articles for condominium developments (one site specific to St Pious property and one more general), change of land use on Quarry Lane, and a re-write of signage bylaw.

Last but not least, Phil Driscoll was elected to the Housing Authority by a joint vote of the Board of Selectmen and members of the Housing Authority. Mr. Driscoll is filling the seat left vacant by Catherine Shea who stepped off the authority and has moved out of state. The members of the authority present complimented Ms. Shea and expressed their gratitude for her years of service. Congratulations Phil.