Commentary by Frank Schroth

The Milton Board of Appeals will open a hearing this evening (Thursday, 7/24) regarding the application for a comprehensive special permit for the Hendries property. This is the next step in the proposed development of a 40B apartment complex on the site. The hearing is at 7:30 in the Blute Conference Room at Town Hall. Oddly, it appears that neither members of the Board of Selectmen or Planning Board are going to be in attendance.

This is the first hearing on a comprehensive permit that this town has had in many years. There are several permits that may be applied for in the next 12 months. I think it behooves all elected officials who represent the people (Selectmen, Planning Board, Town Meeting Members) to attend if their personal circumstances permit. We understand people may be out of town (residents have voiced concern over the timing of this hearing due to summer vacation schedules; but statutory requirements had to be observed), that there are professional obligations etc. But this is pretty important and simply attending will provide elected officials with an important education on the process – a process they do not seem to understand.

Katie Conlon, Chair of the Selectmen, stated at the last session of the selectmen that she would attend if her work schedule permitted. Member Hurley is out of town. Mr.Whiteside Chair of the Planning Board, indicated it was premature to attend. He noted, as did Ms. Conlon, that the initial evening of the hearing would be “organizational;” however, there was no explanation of what that meant, what would be organized, and why that should preclude attending.

It is an important development and we would encourage all elected officials, including Town Meeting Members from Precinct 2, to attend or watch the session tonight on MATV.

The Globe ran a story in today’s edition which you can find here. There are some points made that we would quibble with.

The articles states, “Milton planning officials vehemently opposed the project’s eligibility in an April letter to the state, saying the proposed complex is too large and would negatively affect traffic, public safety, and town services. The letter being referred to here is likely a letter not from planning officials but from the Board of Selectmen. Also the characterization that they “vehemently oppose” the project seems a little exaggerated. The letter begins with

and concludes with

You can find the full text of the Selectmen’s letter here.

The article also states, “Former Board of Selectmen chairman Denis Keohane wrote to the state in 2013 and again in March, objecting to each project, citing “adverse impacts to public safety, the environment, and historical and archaeological resources” Mr. Keohane signed the letter as he was chair at the time. However, it should be noted that the letter was a product of the entire Board of Selectmen done in consultation with Town Counsel and the Planning Director and with input from a range of town departments and committees. Readers may infer It was solely Mr. Keohane that objected to the current 40Bs that are in various stages of development.

It is not all Mr. Keohane. We all share to a larger or smaller extent with what has or has not happened and what will or will not happen.