Meeting notes: Planning Board 10.08.09

Following are some highlights from the Planning Board meeting of 10.08.09.

36 Central Avenue – Developers were looking for a variance regarding the height of the building. The board did not feel that there was sufficient cause. Mr. Whiteside said that the reasons given by the developer (e.g. units will be more saleable) did not meet the requirements for a variance. However, he did suggest that the ground floor could be amended, reducing it from 11 feet to 9.5 feet and use the difference to increase height of the top floor. “We have gone to extreme lengths to accommodate you,” Whiteside stated. They also requested an easement which no one had objection to.

540 Harland Street – This is a knotty issue that has to do with redrawing property lines, preserving open space and maintaining neighborhood character.  Complicating this further was the fact that recently amended plans had not been recorded. It appears that the amended plans yet to be recorded were going to be amended again. “I’m speechless,” said Alex Whiteside. Whiteside said the failure to record the plan “makes this a legal mess.”

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About those street lights

The street light outside our house has been turned back on. It shines through my son’s bedroom window functioning as a poor man’s night light.

Personally, we liked having it off. There was a quietude about the street with the darkness. However, we live on a very short street with very little traffic.

Clearly issues of safety and security exist in other areas of town. The Selectmen’s decision to turn them back on is understandable. The cost savings weren’t being realized to the extent they had hoped, certain roadways were more hazardous as a result of the lack of light, and a sizable number of residents protested.

But it was worth a try. We hope this experience does not make the Selectmen gun shy of attempting cost-saving measures going forward that could be potentially unpopular. (Note – this was a decision made by town meeting but the selectmen tend to bear the brunt of, well, everything.) The Selectmen did the right thing.

A story ran in today’s Globe regarding the street light decision(s). You can find it here.

Principal Jette’s Daily Bulletin of 10.08.09

LET’S GO RED SOX!!!!  To show our support for the hometown team, as long as the Red Sox remain in the hunt for the World Series Championship, we would like to encourage faculty, staff and students to wear their Red Sox gear (less the hats)/colors each day the Red Sox have a game and we’re in school. Please communicate this information to the students. Thank you!

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Toastmaster Speech Contest

Tell a Friend!
Contact: Susan Harvey   617-549-9159   harveydemille@comcast.net

This is an area Toastmaster Speech Contest where the winners from 4 local clubs compete with each other to go onto the next level.

Location: Keys Community Room

Book Signing for “The Baker Chocolate Company: A Sweet History”

Dresden

Dresden

Anthony Sammarco will be signing copies of his newest book, “The Baker Chocolate Company A Sweet History”  and giving a lecture at two convenient locations:

October 13    Cunningham Park, 75 Edge Hill Road, Milton   7:00 PM
Sponsored by the Milton Historical Society

October 15      Lower Mills Branch, Boston Public Library
27 Richmond Street, Dorchester    6:30 PM

Chocolate! That creamy, rich, delicious confection we adore is something that few of us can resist, refuse or deny ourselves. Yet this sweet and decadent delicacy is something far different that what was enjoyed by our ancestors just a few centuries ago when it was a delicious and flavorful drink referred to as the “Food of the Gods.”

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Meeting Notes: School Committee 10.07.09

Following are some highlights from the School Committee meeting of 10.07.09:

Parents voice concern over class size: During Citizens Speak several parent rose to protest the lack an aide in Grade 1 classes that have close to 30 students. More than one specifically cited increased stress on both the children in the class as well as the teacher. Ms. Kelly of the school committee and a member of the finance subcommittee said it is required “they stay within their budget.”  Mr. Pavlicek, also of the finance subcommittee, addressed the possibility that has been floated that stimulus funds might address the issue. He noted that while there may be a possibility of stimulus fund availability, the schools were facing a $100K cut in the warrant before town meeting and that it was not unlikely that there may be another cut to state aid in the middle of the year. Any application of funds would likely keep staff levels where they are. Mr. Huban reminded the audience that the school committee had cautioned parents before the year began that there could be an absence of aides. Lynda Lee Sheridan, school committee chair, acknowledged the concerns and stated she would not expect anything less. She reiterated that the school committee would do everything it can to rectify the situation.

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Selectmen sponsoring photo contest: What I LOVE about Milton!

The Milton Board of Selectmen is sponsoring a photo contest, “What I LOVE about Milton!”

The subject of the photo should be what you love about Milton.  No single or family only portraits are allowed. Group shots are fine (e.g. teams, classes, groups that congregate for a purpose or mission). Similarly, images of single businesses; but a shot of East Milton as a business district is fine.

Entries will be judged on content and composition. All entries are due by 11/15. The winner may be featured on the next Milton Annual Report. In addition, there will be a student award of a one time $125 scholarship.

You can find the complete rules and submission form here.

So get out there and good luck!

Milton golfers share crown

from The Patriot Ledger

Thanks to the effort of its three top golfers, Milton High finished as co-champions of the Dan McKenna Bay State Conference Championship Tournament at the par-71 Wellesley Country Club Monday.

Milton’s top three shot a combined 240 over 18 holes, which tied them at the top with Needham. The teams were scheduled to face each other today. (Read the full story here.)

Friends of the Library Book Store open

The Friends of the Library have opened a new book store.

WHEN:  Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm / Wednesdays from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm / Saturdays from 10:00 – 2:00

WHERE: Main branch, lower level / 476 Canton Ave. / Milton, MA

If you have books (in good condition) to donate, please bring them to the Library DURING SALE HOURS!
Maximum one bag donation per visit.

MHS Sports schedules for 10.04.09

The girls varsity teams had a good week last week.

The cross country team defeated Natick, the field hockey team beat Ursuline, and the soccer team won out over Fontbonne.

You can see all last week’s scores here.

For a schedule of this week’s games click on the “Continue reading . . .”

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