The zoning overlay article before Town Meeting was defeated.

The motion required a 2/3 vote of town meeting and with a roll call result of 137 yes to 97 no, failed to get it.

It was a terrible disappointment to the congregation of Temple Shalom. With the failure of the article the Temple will now need to seek a new home quite possibly outside of Milton.

For the members of “Save Tucker Neighborhood,” the neighborhood group that formed in oppostition to the article and their supporters, the result was a welcome relief. They felt they had not been heard and that passage would have led to an outcome that would result in lower property values, increase traffic congestion, and significanlty diminish the overall quality of life.

Prior to the vote an additional 30 + people rose to speak to the article with the majority speaking in favor of it.  There were a couple of amendments to the article but in the end it was all moot.

The Moderator could not determine the result of a voice vote. A stand up vote resulted in 146 for and 98 against.  Because 25+ town meeting members remained standing, a roll call was taken. Selectman Fagan was the lone vote in favor of the measure. Senator Joyce also voted for the measure while Representative Timilty voted against it.

It was a very long, arduous, and emotionally taxing process for all concerned: the Temple, the neighborhood, the developers, the Planning Board, and, most recently, Town Meeting which devoted 4 full evenings to the issue. It is over for everyone except the Temple. For them the process of finding a home continues.

Note: According to the Patriot Ledger Selectman Marion McEttrik said there may be a motion for reconsideration at Thursday night’s town meeting session. This motion would also require a two-thirds vote. Our understanding is that any motion for reconsideration would need to come from the winning side. In our opinion that is unlikely. You can find the Patriot Ledger story here.

Town Meeting will reconvene tomorrow (3/4) to take up articles 3 & 4 of the warrant which deal with the funding of the wind turbine and a blasting ordinance.