[Music] --------- Red.
Okay. We have um 4:02 p.m. on July 30th, June 30th, excuse me. Um, so I'm going to
call to order the um continuation of the hearing of um June 2nd on the application of Eileen and Martin Omali
for adding um two replacing and adding a slightly larger um porch porch at 55 watt. Wald Street. Um since our last
meeting, um the applicant has submitted um a drawing to understand um a little better what I was looking at
as well as um a map of the um close-in area to the locust of 55 Wald Street Road, I'm sorry, Walde Road. Um, showing
that there are in fact two family houses across the street next door and a couple down from where the applicant's um home is. um and showing showing how close they are to rear lot
lines and side lot lines. And as we know, these houses were built before zoning was adopted by the town of Milton. And so they're pre-existing, non-conforming, but legal. Um so what I'd like to do, um
I was wondering if, um Mrs. Mi, if you could give us an update on anything that's happened with Hold on one moment, please. There you go. Um since um since we last um were together
and what the uh what the update on that is. Okay. Uh, yes. I sent a email communication to David and Betsy McDermott um as you suggested and um
to see if they were willing to come over and see um the yard from my home and um David and Betsy did come over on Friday uh June 28th and they um we came up my
back deck and they got to see my view into their yard from my current deck. We talked about the additional 4T that I was looking for. Um and then um Betsy came into my kitchen to see how from my
kitchen I had four windows. I currently have a view into the yard. Um so we did that and it was very neutral. It we didn't I didn't um like ask them how they felt about things or anything. I didn't want to put them on the spot. So
we didn't resolve anything. Um so they have not withdrawn their letter um opposing it. So unless they are here today to give an update from their side of things um my
hands are kind of tied but um so I would like to know if um if they are waiting in the wings and wanting to be heard today. They are. They are. Okay. Great. I'm now allowing uh David McDermott to
speak. Sure. Uh thanks all for giving us this opportunity to speak. Um you know, I think in summary, um you know, we appreciated the opportunity to go and see Eileen's plans.
Um but we haven't changed our opinion about them, I don't think. Um, you know, it's not anything personal against Eileen. You know, she's always been a nice neighbor. We haven't interacted much, but we don't have any issues with her personally.
Um, but we do have privacy concerns about what, you know, an expansion of that deck would mean for our privacy. Um, Eileen was very transparent about her plan. um you know in the extension and you
know 4 ft closer to our fence um that was more than at least I remember the contractor describing when he was describing the expansion um significantly more um the
and I guess part of our concern has less to do with the current status quo than um future um so you know in the future Alen may not be the owner of that um house, she might rent that house. And if
there were um people tenants up there that were, you know, younger or louder than she um that, you know, that might pose a bigger privacy issue than um we have right now. And the other thing
which we didn't get into which is maybe not that important is that the what is blocking our view when we when we sit in our yard um we don't our view is of her
deck is somewhat blocked by a tree um that is essentially dying. So you know going forward in the next several years we'll have even less um screening from her her deck. So, for all of those
reasons, we haven't uh changed our opinion. Um even and we'd appreciate the opportunity to communicate and we're sorry for the inconvenience, but we're not we're not supportive of the plan. um would
I'm I'm not u making anybody do this, but it occurs to me that if there's a tree that's part of the issue that's um giving you concern, um trees can in fact be um
replace too that would um cost, you know, help out with that privacy issue. Well, that's I mean that even if the tree wasn't an issue, we would we would still be against it. I'm just saying it's the privacy concerns are only going to grow with time, not uh decrease. Um,
and that tree is probably 30 or 40t tall, which it gives us some cover. You know, putting a tree in there that would be equal in size would be not wouldn't be possible. It would take years to, you know, decades to be as big as it is now.
So, I don't think that's u a reasonable solution to this. Um, yeah. So, we But even if the tree wasn't an issue, it's um it's not something we're supportive of. Okay. We are talking about
[Music] 4.25 25 ft that this is bigger than what it's replacing. Yeah. Is there something that would be
acceptable to you? Because this porch will be replaced in some fashion. Um, right. I mean, we don't get an opinion if it's replaced with something the same size. So, um that's correct, right? So,
that's that is what it is. Um you know, um but something bigger um you know, particularly something 4T bigger allows, you know, many more people up there. Um and that that impacts our
privacy. So, it's it's nowhere close to the current guidelines for a house in Milton. It's there's supposed to be 30 feet between the as you know better than me. Indeed, the the house the house is legal there at, you know, uh I guess it
would be at 15 ft. The house is legal that way, right? But it would be 11. Um, if I mean it's legal because it's pre-exists it but it wouldn't if it was building
being built a new it you know it would be 15 ft closer to the street. Ah but it but it isn't because that this this house preceded yours and I'm not trying to not trying to say you know who has standing. But it's not it's not like we're talking 30 feet versus 28 feet.
You're talking 15 versus 11. So, it's already very close. It would be even closer. And um and yeah, so um and a large part of it has to do with the fact that, you know, Eileen may not
be the owner there. You know, we've been here a long time. She, you know, so once she's not the owner, then there's no, you know, people can have parties up there. Um, we have other neighbors that are disrupted by, you know, tenants
who've had parties, you know, to close to their backyard in the past. You know, they don't live in the neighborhood anymore, but they used to. And it was very disruptive. Eileen is obviously not that kind of person. Um, but her tenants could be or
the next owner could be. Um, and that would significantly impact our privacy. I do see your point. Um, when you were at Eileen's home and you were on the porch that currently exists,
how many people would you say could sit there comfortably? Two. If you're asking us two, I would say I'm asking you as as well as um Eileen. I would say two and currently I would say none because
you're it's cramped in. I mean I can't I can I um it's basically like a an egress now and I sit there but it's very tight. So I wouldn't say it's comfortable. So it's not it's not a place that you
sit out. I do sit out there, but it's very tight. Um, and that's why I'm looking for the extra footage so that it so that I can be comfortable and so I can have at least one other person sit with me comfortably. So, if I have, you know, my sister over and we
want to have a cup of coffee and sit out on my back deck, uh, that's my goal is to just get a little comfort. Okay. And is is four feet further out the minimum that you could do that with? Um, no. I could probably do it with two
or three feet extra. Um, I when I was looking at the design with my architect, I we thought four would be very nice and it would allow me to put some nice furniture there, but I could definitely make do with um fewer extra feet. Um,
but a couple of extra feet would be really um, valued. So, I'll kind of swing back to the McDermads. If that four feet were split in two,
would that make a difference to you? Uh, no. I mean, she could extend her deck to where her stairs are, which is what her original plan was, and that's plenty big for two people to sit out there. Um, and I'm not sure what you're explaining on
now. Um, so there's a the current deck where she has a table and two chairs and then um that then the stairs start and she originally told us that she would bring it out to just where the stairs the the existing stairs start and then
bring it down the side the stairs would go down the side of the house. Oh, she's getting So, you're saying that where the existing railing is not bring currently. Um, I I don't have a photographic memory, but I did go to the locust over the weekend and
what I saw was um the stairs coming down going towards the front of the house. Um, so, so that that would be probably, you know, four feet wide or so. Um,
can you explain that? So, my plan right now is is the stairs currently start in the back of the house and my plan is to move the stairs starting at the side of the house.
So, at the beginning of Okay. where the the the side bumps out slightly. Yes. So taking So where the current stairs So So the current stairs start at the back of the house. They go down, then they turn
and they go towards the street. Mhm. So now the plan is to flip that and start them at the top on the side of the house and then go down and then turn. Okay. This is a tough one, folks. This is a
tough one. Yeah. Um well, there's also um the two front decks, the front porch, the upper deck, and she's planning on putting in a patio also. So, that would be sitting room, right? I mean, eventually. My yard is
not pretty right now. You know, when we bought the house, we knew that the the back of the house needs work. And eventually I do want to put in a cement patio on the ground area. Um, you know, but that would be really for if I want to cook out. You can't have a grill on
your on your deck upstairs. And so I want to get the grill on a patio like a cement piece, you know, but those are phases. I want to do landscaping in my backyard. That's those are the next phases. The first phase is to fix the
deck. It's a small yard overall as you know. Um but as I mentioned when I um shared the character of the neighborhood, it's there are other properties in this neighborhood who at some time or another it appears that
they've gotten variances to be a little bit closer to the back fences. Hold on. I'm trying to read a number on this plan which is tough. say that what she just suggested. Is
there anything anyone else would like to add? Not from our end. I think I'm good. Okay. This is a tough one. It's a very tough one. I see both points of view.
Um, it's a very tight lot. Um, I think asking for a couple of feet is is not um not unreasonable. It seems like it's not dimminimous
because the area that we're talking about is so small that that is being cut into. However, it's only 4 feet. So, how do I weigh one person being able to use
simply an area that's meant as an egress to the house when in fact they don't have access to a place to sit outside unless they have some kind of a balcony that way.
Um and it can be very expensive to um litigate something like this. Um but Because because the bylaw
is such that it requires 30 feet, but this house was there before the bylaw with something that was 15 ft from the back lot line. And that house was was was built before
the McDermott's house. So 4 feet is generally dimminimous. And I see no reason for me to judge
that given a house that has a large frontto back footprint should be penalized out of having some kind of open air in the backyard. And so
I'm going to approve this um application um as long as everything is built according to the plans and plot plan on file and all other um
all other documents within the file on this and Um, I hope that this is not something that's going to make her bad neighbors. I don't want to be the person that does that either, but one way or the other, somebody's not going to be happy with
me. But I think the applicant has shown that there's a need to have some kind of back access to the house and the yard. Um, and I'm not convinced that anything that's
going to be put in there, even if it is 4.4 feet larger and closer to the back, that that's going to make that much of a difference to the McDermotts. So, um,
as I'm closing the evidentiary portion of the hearing and have deliberated, that's my decision that the application is approved as submitted. Um, thank you. I will be writing up a decision on this.
Um, it will take a few weeks to get that done. Um, at that point, um, it goes to, um, the town clerk and it,
um, a 20-day appeal period comes up. So, if, you know, neighbors wanted to appeal it, they would have that opportunity to do that. And um if that comes to be um
then perhaps there could be some communication between the two of you to get something that would be um something that both of you could handle as opposed to um and and both be happy with. Um I I think there are, you know,
some considerations that could be made to having it a little bit smaller if need be, but um that would be up to you folks in the appeal period. So once once this decision is written and once it is
um in the appeal period at the uh town clerk's office, um if the murderer wanted to file a suit, they could do that. um and then perhaps talk about what it would take to settle that if they didn't
want to litigate it. So that's my decision and I will wish you all um Jenny before you hang up can I speak? Um yes, but not adding more evidence
because I closed that portion of the hearing. It's fine. Um so the town when this was applied for the town said no. We were then um Eileen then appealed. We were asked to come to a meeting. If we had
objections we had them. Um at that meeting it was pretty clear to us that we had the right to say no. Um you had hoped we would say yes but you said we had to say yes for this to get an approval.
No. No. That's not how it works. You don't have to say yes to get approval. Well, you had said no. You're You guys said no. You You're the You're making this between Eileen and us. It's the town said no to Eileen. The Exactly. Because that's what the That's what the
um that's what the procedure is when we have previously existing legal homes that want to make some modest additions to them. And I I consider this to be a very modest addition. And why didn't you say that last time? You didn't say that
last time. You said you have to work this out. You said No, I didn't. I suggest I suggested that Wait a minute. Please stop. Please stop. Don't talk over me. I suggested I I Okay, that my suggestion was to see if you could
work it out. and you haven't been able to work it out, which means I have to make a diff difficult decision which I have made and I'm not going to change it now because I just gave you all of the reasons that I made that decision whether you agree with it or not. You
have the opportunity to fight that if you want to appeal it. I'm sorry that it comes to this, but that that's how it works in the town of Milton. Okay. So, we'll appeal it when you once you send us the forms, we'll appeal. No, that's
something that you would have to go to a lawyer for. Okay, we'll do that. Okay, I'm going to bid you all a good evening, folks, and um close the he close the hearing and um good luck to all of you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. [Music]
Rip it. Rip it. Part: 2
Good evening everyone and welcome to the June 30th, 2025 meeting of the Milk of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, country um shuffle here. Uh we're going to uh recess from for a
meeting of the Governor Stoen trustees so that we can I'm going to uh make a motion that we recess uh from the meeting of the select board uh to open a mo meeting of the governor stoen trustes. We will return uh to the select board meeting. Can I
all in favor? I I Okay, we are recessed. Uh and then I have to call the uh governor stoen trustees to order. Uh so I've now done that for all of them. if he called it fantastic. So, um we we have worked hard, but I I I have no
prepared uh minutes here or our agenda. You've you have our recommendation. It's short and sweet. I do want to commend you though as trustees and your predecessors for forming the committee. I think one of the greatest criticisms
we've had is that we were not heard and you certainly gave us that opportunity. We we talked an awful lot amongst ourselves. We talked an awful lot with as many people as we could engage with. So you've certainly taken that away. I
also want to thank Nick Connors for maintaining decorum and peace amongst us. He did an excellent job and kept us on track because we were getting derailed very regularly. We did want to deliver something actionable to you. We didn't want this
to drag on. We wanted it short and succinct. We know you're busy. We tried to distill everything into as succinct and as short uh uh recommendation as we could. It's really only two points. So that's all I have. If you have any
questions on those two points, please there's some very very qualified people here with me. Yeah, we had an excellent group and I can say that a lot of even though it was a short report, I can tell you word for word it was definitely um very
thoughtful uh and um came with a lot of discussion. So I think there was there's a lot of really good compromise that went into writing this. So I would welcome I've had the opportunity to sit with this group and ask questions already. Um so I'd welcome uh if anyone here has questions for the committee. I
do not. None for me. Okay. Well, maybe I will ask questions so that we haven't wasted your time. So, it it seems to me that um well, there there was not there was not like a broad consensus across everyone
on a single plan, which is probably not surprising considering, you know, there's never broad consensus among anybody about something that's that specific. Um, but I'm wondering as chair if you might share some reflections of things that you learned about maybe the either the site or about the neighborhood or about the uh idea of
affordable housing. Yeah, I I I would just say I do think we had broad consensus that affordable housing is essential in the town. We disagree on whether the scale is
appropriate for this particular site. Some of us disagree that the site is appropriate. We had to become educated about it. It's not easy for us to understand what 60% of AMI actually means. Is it really
poor in this area of the country? So, we had an educational process that Nick guided us through a lot of the time to understand exactly who was going to be living here and how was it appropriate for Milton residents. We
felt that there's an opportunity here to do something very special. We just are not sure and I don't think we're still sure that the scale of it is correct and that it's aimed towards the right people
the and I use that word very broadly we don't know who the right people are okay but we felt there were some brilliant ideas you know could it be guided towards teachers firefighters in the community would it attract talent to the
town administrators um any of the people that perhaps would be qualified to live here, younger people. Maybe this is an opportunity to improve
the quality and and the breadth of people we would attract into town. But also, there's an element that we feel it doesn't really help the poor. could it could we get lesser numbers and
have more or a lower AMI? We didn't understand the mechanics behind the RFP basically. So there was a huge uh educational element and we haven't been working long. It's only been 6 months really since we got organized. So but we did as I say want to bring something to
you that we felt you could work on. We don't don't want it to be stalled. And we did use the analogy that everyone loves puppies. We're we're we're firm believers. We were unanimous that affordable housing is a very very needed concept in the town but perhaps not here
and not on this scale. Okay. And and again we were divided but not on that particular topic. I feel that was the sense that I got from the last couple of meetings that I sat and also had a opportunity to go on site
visit which I think was helpful for it turned out we you got a pretty big number of folks that came out for that site visit. great site visit led by Steve of course who's our local historian and knows all about the site and is a font of knowledge and helped us
understand and was really the architect of that second recommendation that we keep the character of the site in the way it was meant as a town farm so maybe what if if we don't have any direct questions for the committee it might be an opportunity for us to I
don't think we have to come to any hard decisions here I think probably we want continue to reflect on the report and have some thought, but we could have a a discussion about our own reflections on the report uh and what we might think of as next steps.
I'm just guilty of being new to this and caught up in so many other things that I'm I apologize, but I'm not the best prepared at this point in time. That's totally fine. Um, uh, I don't know, uh, Mr. Daly or Miss Heggerity, if you guys have thoughts about the site or what we
might want to think about doing next. So, this committee was charged with reviewing the RFP process and then also thinking of alternative uses. Uh, that their charge ends today. Um, so again, we thank you for that. We may decide that we want to uh, think about a
different set of um, uh, requirements for a future RFP. We may want to decide to go ahead with the existing RFP. We may want to convene another committee and have them look at the site. I'm not so keen on the third. I feel like death by committee is is a thing. Well, also
to you know, if we've gotten to a certain point in a process with this, you know, would that would that option necessarily restart everything? Like I think uh we we want to have some action come out of this, right? And I know that
uh you guys were in touch with the there was one remaining uh proposal on the on the because the proposals were submitted last fall or last summer was even longer. Yeah. Yeah. Even longer than that. Um and so with obvious
fluctuations in the market, uh maybe we could say um we were wondering if the prices still held. One of them still held but one sort of withdrew. Is that that's that's correct. Yes. and and we were appreciative of the fact that the developer of the one remaining RFP is a
town resident. We thought that was a huge plus in the sense that he would have a sense of uh belonging in the town and a sense of place in the historical context for the site. Was was there a discussion with the developer about the potential to reduce the number of units
if that was something that would be economically feasible for for them? We didn't get there. We actually make that a recommendation for you guys to further dig through. And uh my understanding too, and you
might know more about this, Mr. Dailyy, is has this come up in the affordable housing trust? Have you guys been discussing this? I have not. So I've only been on one AHT meeting so far since I've joined. So this was not a point of it, but I know when we were talking about this before with there only been one RFP left. Now, we had
initially thought of going back out for an RFP, but that may have some costs and some time constraints as well. So, you know, I'm not sure if it's if sticking with the one that we have left is the best way forward. Um, but perhaps if we
were going to be able to have the units reduced, which I know was was a main point of concern, perhaps that would be the way forward. But it's been what, a year and a half now. It seems that the market changes, you know, maybe going back out would be the way we should do this. Is it would there be a way to do that,
Mr. Milano, that would um I I he can't give advantages to anybody, but some for for someone who's sort of stuck with the process. Is there any there's not really anything we could offer them other than share some new ideas, but be evaluating what comes in from whoever comes in and
as it stands as it was submitted. And when uh when the committee was talking about potentially reducing the number of units, was there a sense of like what would a number that would be the range? We didn't get to that stage either or chair, excuse me. That's
totally we we were just interested in seeing if those levers could be changed. We could take it from something like 80% AMI to 30% AMI perhaps and does that impact the economics. We didn't get into that discussion, but we would love to understand that. Right. And AMI for
those who are watching at home uh is average median income which for our easiest sake is actually about $100,000 in Milton. So you can think of 60% AMI as a salary of $60,000 a year for the household. Um or 30% being $30,000 a
year. And okay, so it seems to me like Yes, John. I just was wondering speaking of times when there's never unanimity um the committee unanimously recommends trustees undertake a feasibility study
is that what we're trying to decide here I think that would be part of an RFP process would be um so for example if we were going to if we decided that we wanted to reduce it from 35 units to 25 units for example then we would want to look at a feasibility of how does that
affect traffic how does that affect effect um utilities. Um I know there was some concern about runoff as well. Um some of those things we sort of put in the initial RFP after comp feedback from uh the local residents there. Um but I
think that would is is that No, just just to to back it up a little bit. We're we're slightly concerned that the infrastructure isn't adequate for the site. It's a quarter of a mile down a dead end lane and we don't have bus routes and we don't know if the
obviously the lane is narrow. It's a single lane road. So, we were trying to think that if the town could get a traffic assessment study done to see would that neighborhood support
uh the the 35 units or whatever would be proposed by the trustees. Um we were also interested in uh access to the site. We had discussed um proximity to
bus routes and that would appear to be uh in or around a twomile radius. So so that that was what we were trying to get to. We feasibility study is very very broad-based. It's slightly nebulous. Mhm. So, but we were just trying to
throw ideas out there that perhaps you could get some of the town employed advisers in just to I I think appease or assuage some of the concerns of the residents because obviously we live on that street. There's 12 houses. If you're going to put in 35 units, we have
visions of quadrupling the traffic count. How does that impact can nav at 8:00 on a a school morning? That kind of stuff. So, and that that that wasn't necessarily addressed, I believe, in the
RFP. So, in the committee's uh review, we're saying 35 units. Was there a conversation about the size of the units? Isn't we're talking about reducing these are these onebedroom, two bedroom, is that out there? Is there an idea of how many people 35 units means
in terms of families or Cheryl and uh Tom were very good because they have a background in affordable housing and you know helping us understand that it's not all three-bedroom units. So it wouldn't be 35 families per se. There would be a
mix of studios, onebedroom, twobedroom, that kind of thing. But we didn't get into the nitty-gritty about what that would actually be in terms of a traffic count. We kind of punted that back at you guys. Uh, and in terms of AMI, we're talking
about AMI for combined in in the units, right? Combined income is 60 or 30%. I think it's I think that's what it ranges from. I think it ranges between 30 and 60%. Okay. Well, um, any other questions or
discussions on this? I want to drag out the point. Um, so it seems to me like we might want to do a couple of things. Um, and I'm totally open to suggestions on this. So, one, I think um we should
maybe uh talk to the developer first to see if he has an idea about um units and what would be feasible so that we don't have to go through an RFP process again. Um but if that seems like it's not going
to be workable with his plan, then we might have to put another RFP out. Um, I think it'd be helpful to get the affordable housing trust's input on this. They do have some um resources and they may be able to uh help defay the
cost. Uh, you know, if we decide that we want to reduce it from 35 to 30 or 25. Um, we could see if there might be some opportunity there from the affordable housing trust to help support that.
And then once we kind of have that information, I think we would know what might work best next. And then we'd want to have another open session where residents would could come in and also kind of hear the discussion about what would another what
would a what would standard proposal look like, a reduced proposal? And I don't know if we can do the what's the traffic uh question would be one I'd throw over to you, Mr. Milano. If it's been punted to me, I'm punting it back like a rugby match. Well, it's one of those, you know, chicken or egg things
like you don't you wouldn't want to do a traffic study for a 35 unit project if there's no intention to build out a 35 unit project. So, it it that's why often you'll see them kind of after something's been proposed, but I can understand the concerns. It could help shape the number of units the road could
could accommodate. Um, so we could look at having one of our consulting engineers submit a proposal and get a sense of what that might mean in terms of cost. Um, but again then then we're talking about who's going to fund that work, whether the trustees should be paying for that work. It's a
pre-development cost associated with the land. Um, but also we try to hold on to that funds to go to, you know, to what we can actually do with it. Yeah. I was just thinking if you know we could do it as inexpensively as possible. It'd be
nice to know what it could support. I mean instead of coming out with a plan for a certain amount and then not knowing it'd be nice to know. Yeah. So I my recollection is when we put the initial RFP together, it was it was done under the guidance of the affordable
housing trust uh folks who had that experience with affordable housing projects. And basically there is a sort of a floor for for a developer of like what no longer becomes possible. And I think so we kind of at the time I think
we thought the floor was around 30 32 35. And um and there's also the the added factor of the of as long as we're below 10% uh affordable housing in Milton, we're susceptible to 40B developments. So, um and I know with a
couple of projects that are online with this that will get us very close to being at 10%. So, we no longer would have the 40BS. Um so, I I just I I I kind of agree with Nick and that it I hear what you're saying. Like I like the
idea of a spitball estimate, but engineers are very lousy at doing spitfall estimates. They they're very precise individuals, which is why I'm not an engineer. Um, and they may not necessarily have that uh ability, but we could certainly ask if there's I don't know if we want to ask if there's
somebody that we could ask if it's possible to get some sort of a back of the envelope traffic study. I can ask her. Um, and then I think we don't have any like on call contracts with like planning We do, but it would be Yeah, it would be
an on call, you know, sometimes, you know, these I would say between eight and $15,000 depending on what we're asking them to look at. Yeah. I'm I'm thinking more off the seat of the pants like a 20 foot road handles x amount of
traffic or you know what I mean? Whatever the you know, I don't know. I maybe that's asking a lot. I hear I hear what you're saying. I think part of it too is just knowing I I also live on off on Canton Road. So I, you know, at 6:00 in the morning versus 8 in the morning
or Saturday versus a a Wednesday rush hour, like it's it's radically different. So um but maybe if Nick, you could just find out what that cost should be and then um and then do you know Mr. Daly when the next meeting of the affordable housing trust is? Uh
yeah, check the calendar here. Put you on the spot. Take a minute. Sorry. Uh July 15th I believe uh pending right now. And then I think our next meeting is currently slated for was it uh July
8th, right? That's the second Tuesday because tomorrow is a Tuesday. We had pencled in the 8th, but there was summer availability issues. So we're definitely locked in for the 22nd. Okay. Um well, let's see about the ETH. Maybe there might just be some pro-form stuff that
we can do and then maybe have a more substantive meeting. So, um if the affordable housing trust meets on the 15th and can provide us with maybe their read on this as well and their thoughts about additional resources that might be available. Um then we could reconvene as
the governor stoen trustees on the 22nd uh to continue the conversation. And then at that point too, we we might at least have ideas about what a traffic feasibility study would cause. Uh if not having something that's back of the envelope/se pants.
Does that sound like a good I you know just to share my own personal opinion here. I think, you know, I I agree that affordable housing is is critical in this town and I think a lot of the developments that we've seen have been a result of the fact that we haven't been
sort of planning it out. And I I um having been to the site, I think this site can support some affordable housing. I I adhere the residents concerns that 35 units may be too many. Um, so you know, in the spirit of sort of compromise and making everybody, you
know, everybody has to give up a little bit of things, you know, if we can give up 10 units and then and get some support from the affordable housing trust and have some reassurance for the neighbors that the, you know, that the traffic situation wouldn't be out of control and if in fact there might be ways to utilize the project to improve
uh the road or improve the facilities around there, that might be of of use. I'm not familiar with the residents. I'm just looking at the committee that we formed came back to us and unanimously said we should do a feasibility study. That's where I'm coming from. That you know I know the the committee was
composed of several abutters and uh Okay. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Um and and we are very grateful for your service and for your leadership on that on that committee. So with with the yes with the comments also on just infrastructure overall to the site should I mean I know
we're going to do a traffic feasibility study should we get and should we consider getting an outside opinion on the um on the infrastructure to the site. So we will and it's what I wrote down in
terms of water complicated but yeah and it gets back to specificity to dictate what the anticipated flows would be, what the water demand would be, what the demand on the street would be. So it's it's again um you know DPW can certainly provide analysis of the existing
infrastructure. Yeah. um broadly in terms of whether it wouldn't be able to support a new project. Um but to get to to really nail that down, you need to know what how many units, how many people you expect and all those. So that's the kind of level of specificity
that would typically um come later in the process. But you know, in order to try to get some answers, we could try we could try to set like a couple of scenarios, right? I mean the general sense was what that the well 35 was the
original 35 units was the floor. So yeah so that's the other question too is we could ask um what's Ralph's company name again I forget the name of the they have a LLC that for this Ralph's company we could ask sorry to refer to Mr. parent
uh informally, but we could ask we also need to ask him to uh maybe provide some we could forward him this report and ask him to provide some thoughts and then and I know sometimes when you're looking at a development part of the development cost uh is infrastructure improvements
to support whatever is being built. So we could maybe get some clarity from Mr. Parent on on what that would be. Sure. It also be nice to have some if we're asking them if 35 is a break number, can
we have some numbers to back that up rather than just a comment that 35 doesn't work, less than 35 doesn't work, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Also too, I mean, I don't know if um if the Commonwealth has any grant
programs to support affordable housing developments like this, you know, if there's like a mass works for affordable housing or something like that. That's not in my area of expertise when it comes to the Commonwealth. So, I don't know. Can we test you that with
that also, Mr. Milano, for a little homework? There certainly is, but it's an annual program. There are some others. They've really migrated everything to one annual application under the onetop program that's out um that closes in June of every year. So, in terms of a longer term time horizon,
there are programs out there that would support that kind of upfront infrastructure um project. Okay. Well, it feels like we have a pretty good consensus about next some next steps and information gathering. Anybody else any thoughts before we
close our meeting of the Governor Stoe? Thank you for doing this. Thank you again for your service. Um, you're released for now and we may call back on on the committee uh depending on how things move forward. But again, it was so important to have that group of folks
together and I know there were there was a lot of intense discussions around this and and we're we're very grateful for your volunteer service and hopefully the outcome will be something that everybody will feel if not great about at least good about. Well, we all appreciate having a voice. So, thank you guys.
You're very welcome. Thank you. Uh, so I'll entertain a motion to close uh the um the meeting of the Governor Stores. Meeting. Oh, we have to improve the meeting minutes. Thank you. Um so we have the meeting minutes from March 11th
and May 21st. Um so as uh I don't know if we can approve the March I would wait yet. Yeah, we can't approve the March minutes because um we don't have a quorum. Uh because uh Mr. Mr. Mr. Daly and Miss Hagerty weren't here. So, we could approve the May ones, though. Or we want to just wait till we It's up to
you. Yeah, that that would be Why don't we Why don't Well, let's knock one off since we can't. So, so we can do that. I I'll take a motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 21st. I'll second. Okay. Uh I've made the motion and it's been seconded by No, it's totally totally works. Uh Mr. Goen. So, uh I think this is just a voice vote.
So, all in favor of approving the minutes? I I I Okay, that's unanimous. Uh and now uh I will make a motion to adjurnn um the governor stoen trustees. Second. Seconded by Miss Hagerty. All in favor? I. Okay. And we are back to the
select board um for public comment and I don't see any public comments. Uh correct either online or in person. So, we'll just give folks a minute in case they were wanting to
put their hands up online or in the room. All right. So, we will skip public comment. Um, and now we have discussion update approval. Uh, Susan Milikin and Steven Gyster regarding the Neponza River Super Fund project public hearing and comment letter.
Thank you for joining us, Mr. Gster. You're welcome. Thank you. got an electronic copy of that. But thank you. I'm just going to roughly go through this quickly. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Excellent.
I'm sorry Richard's not here for this. I know this is his baby. Well, thank you, Select Board, and Mr. Milano. Um, I just wanted to briefly get you up to speed on what's been going on with the Loa Ponet uh river site uh EPA site. And I I'll give you a real quick
overview and then I'll uh dive a little bit into this, but not too much detail. It's very very detailed. And um so just to start off so the lower the Ponet River the bottom 3.7 miles from the Baker Dam up to the confluence of the
Motherbrook in the and the river are all were designated a super fund site in March of 2023. So it's been about two and a half years. I'm sorry 2022 was added to the national priority list and activities began uh on on on the river
at that time. um the activities to date. Uh well, first let me just tell you about so I'm a member of the KAG the citizens advisory group as long as along along with Dr. Susan Milikin in town and I've been part of it since their first meeting they conducted the EPA conducted
just to get people educated a little bit about a year and a half ago. We formed the committee about a year ago. Uh probably 15 to 20 residents of uh two in Milton. Rest of everybody else is Hide Park and mostly Hide Park right now because that's really what it impacts out of the gate. And then we've got a
few Dorchester and Matipan people on board. Uh probably grow the the the KAG as we as we get down river and it has bigger impact on Milton and Dorchester. Um so we meet monthly. Uh we discuss different things. The EPA usually comes in and presents to us. Uh the EPA has
hired per the KAGS will a company called Sko and they basically advise us and help us coordinate as a as a as a CAG. Uh it's pretty common at a super fund site to have a KAG set up for the citizens to be able to give input into the EPA and this is I'm learning all
this. This is my first time through on this. Uh and um they've been very helpful and they come to our meetings. They help us manage our meetings. They help us organize as a group. Uh we have a couple different subcommittees. We have a technical subcommittee which I sit on with some engineers. Uh primarily a couple gentlemen that are part of the
Nepons watershed association that are very knowledgeable about this area about in that area. They also have an outreach uh subgroup that is trying to get the word out every to everybody and we're really just getting that activity going as we speak. Uh just because it wasn't a lot to talk about. Yeah, it's a super fun site, but now that we start having
details and we start having an understanding, we're trying to communicate, you know, what exactly is going on. Um, so the super fund details, like I said, it's a 3.7 mile stretch and the the EPA's been doing some uh uh remediation work on the side of the
river. Uh, the Lewis Chemical uh was about two years ago they started that it's a 1acre site on the Hide Park side of the river. Not part of the Super Fund, but not part of this activity. It's kind of a separate entity that goes on, but was actually one of the major
causes of pollution into the river. So that was cleaned up first. Uh they finished it uh I think it was fall of last year. It was about a year project. It cost somewhere between 3.94 million dollars to clean up that one acre. So it's very very highly polluted with PCBs
primarily. Uh that they they have since started on also further down the river on the same side of the river in High Park on on what they call the um I'm trying to find the name of it here. Um anyway, it's a it's a it's Riverside Square. So I think there's like a kind
of a strip mall there. It's behind that activity. And in the 80s they had dredged the river and tooken all that polluted soil out of the river and dumped it on the shore and basically they're remediating that. I don't I haven't seen the overall dollar value for that is but it it said it's at least a year project and again they're digging
and hauling away and so the recently they completed the upper one mile of the river and they what they call is an ECA uh environmental evaluation and cost analysis report. That report is somewhere around I think it's 423 pages of tables and data and all kinds of data
and things and very very interesting. But you'll see in the packet I handed out there's a summary of the of what they did a little bit about the river and a summary of the four four options that they presented to us uh about a couple weeks ago. And so the process works and when the EPA has finished uh
they finished their analysis of a section of a river they come up with recommendations on how to clean it or what their recommendations are. They came up with four different options for this part of the river. And the first option is basically to do nothing, cost nothing, do nothing, which you know we
all know is not not a solution. And then they came up with three other options. Option three and four uh uh have as part of that removal of the TNH dam the the um Tileston and Hollingsworth Dam which is a mile down and basically that's where they divided up one mile to that
dam and then 2.7 milesi is the the second phase which is from that dam down to the Baker Dam down off Adam Street and they have uh completed the um taking of the samples of that as of last fall they was about a year's activity A
couple of us went down and visited them on the river and they were taking samples in the river on the side of the river, water samples, soil samples a bunch of mics. They actually uh plant planted them in there and let them grow in the river, take them actually do analysis of them and how much pollution
they absorb. So very detailed, but the above the dam it's very very contaminated. The EPA's commented unofficially, it's one of the top three most polluted rivers left in America that hasn't had any any remediation done to it or very little remediation. So, it's up there. According to them, it has
very high visibility, which is which is good. Um, you know, from a funding perspective, uh, they mentioned to us, but they won't share the details. There's 70 companies or former companies or companies that added to the pollution over the course of the last 50, 60, 70
years. some of them still in existence and they're going through the process of trying to uh get as much money as they can to help with the cleanup of the river. So, and they they don't really share that. All they shared with that was is uh in November of every year they go to a board. I can't remember what it's called, but there's a certain board
where they present what they would like to do to the river option one through four and then also what what what the funding is and they try to say, "Okay, here's where we're at uh trying to recuperate that money from the polluters through the years." So, we have no idea where that they're at. And their their
other comment was as well, if the money's not all the money's not there, then they'll go to the federal fund, which has been there's a fund there for cleanup and ask for that money there. So, again, have they haven't shared a lot about that. Um, will they come if they don't have all the funding come to
the state? I don't I don't know how the whole process works. They haven't shared that with us yet. Um, but but their the current ask is that they they submitted the ECAP on July 9th. they're having is a Zoom call or a virtual meeting to go through the data package and they have a
presentation. I think um Mr. Milano forwarded you guys a link to a 17minute video which is basically somebody just walking through a slide deck which is kind of uh much more detailed than what I'm providing but not not the same detail you'll read in 423 page documents. So you'll have a chance to go
through it and it's it's very well done actually very nicely done by the EPA. uh just released it last week. So we we just we just got it. And the idea is um they they give 30 days. The KAG has asked for another 15 days beyond that because it's only if the 9th to the
13th, we have to respond by the 13th. So there's only a couple days in there. We've asked them for at least two more weeks for us to digest presentation, digest what they they told us and then give us an opportunity to respond. So we think it's going to be two weeks beyond that 13th date that we'll have an option
to respond to it. uh the EP the EPA unofficially has recommended option four of course I mean that's you know the way to go basically what they said is if they they take any of the other options option two or option three it doesn't fully clean the river to the same depth of the same level and they may have to
go back and do some additional remediation especi especially after they've done the downstream work and it and you know and then the other discussion we've been having is what about downstream over the other side of the dam and out into the out to the marsh so yeah and there was study done.
Uh I think Mr. Milano in one of his pres papers talked about that. I think there was 12 samples taken a few years back and it was polluted for sure and if it's you know some of it's going over the dam for sure and the marsh is a perfect collection point for for pollution. So so I think that would kind of be the
next step after they finish coming out with the eco for the bottom phase two part of overall. So, um, and so what I'm trying to do is just get the word out that this is available for people to review. I'm going to start leaving these brochures around town so people have a
chance. I've talked to the CEO at Council on Aging. I've talked to the Milton Times. I've talked to some other organizations just to get the word out there that, you know, what's going on and you have an opportunity. Longer term, um, is is they're more asking, you know, what do we want to do with the water the river when it's done? It
probably will, depending on which course they take to remediate it and how they build it back up. It could change somewhat the course, the way it moves. Uh, do we want to put boat ramps? Do we want to put canoe ramps? Do we want to have, you know, picnic areas and those kind of things. So, they're not I don't
think they're looking for that exact thing now, but they just want to start us to get involved with the process. And also, the DCR has been pro part of this and the wershed and they're all we're all part of the KAG and we talk about these things. So, they're really just looking for the town to start to participate in, you know, kind of the
activities that are going on. So, um I'm h I mean that's kind of all I didn't really, you know, come up with any formal presentation, but I'm happy to try to answer what I can. I'm not I'm an engineer, but not an environmental engineer or so, it's kind of out of my out of my realm, but uh I got to say I
don't I can't compare to other ones, but the the the EPA has been spectacular to work with. They've been great. Um they're very open. They're very um tell us all at answer all our questions. They go out of the way to to go to our meetings to come to our meetings and they work some pretty long days because
they're on site during the week and we have our meetings at night and they're they're up and up and about you know at 8:00 at 9:00 at night with us. So it's been a you know a good experience for me. I've lived in Milton 28 years in the same on Cantav on the other end of Cantav and I pretty much walked the
river almost every single day and you know I've heard when I moved in it was polluted but don't drink don't fish there and certainly don't drink the water but not not to the magnitude and uh I think the primary what they found is PCBs is is but there's all kinds of heavy metals there's all kinds of other
carcinogenics and bad things that are in the water but the PCB is is the main the main thing that needs to be cleaned up. So thank you. Thank you. Very thorough. Uh questions from the members. Um it seems to me that sort of as you get to RA3 there's
discussion of removing the dam. Yep. So that is like seems like a major like that's a pretty big project, right? And DC does DCR currently own the dam? Yeah, they own the dam and they they said it would add about a year onto the project to do because they have they have to
clean on the upside of it very thoroughly and then they have to demolish it and take it out and and do it. It's a pretty big to-do. Yeah. Yeah. Um and has has DCR weighed? I'm sure they're going to submit their own comment. I don't know if they have officially weighed in, but they in all
our meetings they said we need to take it out of there because it's or we need to essentially rebuild it because it's in very bad condition and it really doesn't serve any purpose at this time. They did some there was some discussion in our last meeting about what the water levels would be and how that would all
change. Yeah. And one of the consultants that we the technical committee brought in just to give us they read it through and gave us our opinion their opinion and they were concerned about they didn't the EPA had not done a good enough job of looking at the the modifications of the water levels when the dam's gone and how does that impact
water flow? And my next question was going to be, so over the winter we had the flooding on the trolley tracks, which presumably, correct me if I'm wrong, I thought it had something to do with the dam itself. Um,
am I wrong? No, it did. So they And would this would this help? I don't think situations. Yeah, I think it's so far up a river that it doesn't really impact down below. the the answer that I heard about the flooding was they had replaced all the all the all the wood on the top of the dam there and so the
water level's been significantly higher over the last months and that wasn't the cause of it but they said because of the water level so high if there was an impact in the water flow which there was because of the ice it backed it up the comment from the DCR that's only the second time that's ever happened in the
the history of them of that type that magnitude of flooding but I you know I would defer that to the DCR Exactly. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I mean, I'm, you know, I wonder because the the dam the the Baker
dam was broken for a very long time, right? And it it took a, you know, a good part of a year to get it repaired and fixed and now it's back to what they consider normal and the water levels up significantly from what it used to be. So, yeah. Yeah. Other questions? Not being an engineer
either, but you would think if a DM was taken out, if anything, the level would go down. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because there's nothing to hold it back. Right. And for the TNH dam, um it's not a flood control dam. So, it's not serving a purpose in terms of protecting
um those flows. And and in fact, in anticipated heavy rainfall, the dam is is lowered purposefully so that no water really builds up behind it. So, um, it's managed to a degree and it's lowered and ahead of big storms or ahead of big
rainfalls to let the water flow over it. And is the TNH just looking at the map on the last page, the TNH dam that is that Milton right there or is that it's actually Hide Park. That's why Milton starts just below the dam on on
this side of the river. That's what I thought. Yeah. this the site the cleared site if you can make it out right next to it that is what's been colloquially referred to as the paper mill site in the MBTA community zoning so that that site has been reszoned for 179 units
under the um approved rapid transit plan um so you know in terms of the super fund cleanup and everything in that area might make that site more um potentially attractive um down the road I think the
the idea of having a nice cleaned river with a great waterfront and you know kayak or canoe access or something that that would be really lovely uh and um a nice change. So one I know I'm sort of channeling Mr. Wells here because I know how much he
cares about this and particularly the the landing. Um and when when he and I were speaking about this must have been like last year or something. Um the the the marshland as you were sort of alluded to earlier definitely contaminated is and I know there since
they're working from as far upstream as possible going down just assuming that that means that things were going to get churned up and sort of head down. So is there going to be a long term is there sort of a commitment to then after this work is finished looking at what happens
beyond the into the into that salt marsh there. Yeah. So right now there is nothing you know beyond that. I mean, I don't know if the town should start to petition the EPA or not. I can ask I'll ask that question at our next meeting, which is actually tomorrow night. Okay. I'll ask that question on, you know, kind of how do we continue the process.
I I think the um Ian Cook who who's the president or director of the uh Nepons wershed has been on top of that and he probably has an answer. I'm sure they've thought about it, but otherwise it's kind of like whack-a-ole and you know the PCBs pop up over here instead of over there. But and it gets down now now
we're in Boston Harbor and it gets starts to get into that impact of that and what what's what what's going on there. So yeah, I don't I don't I don't I've asked that question but I nobody's really given me a good answer. It's like let's you know deal with this piece first and we'll we'll work our way downstream. So Mr. Client, you would
even think there would be some monitoring during the process too. I I believe there is. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Y yeah. And the other thing is that there's a ma there will be a major impact when they when they start this but you know we're a year away probably at best maybe two but from actually
taking the material and moving it out from the river and how many truckloads and so on and I know for the for the Lewis chemical one it was coordinated with town and I know for sure that they were coordinating with the police department and DPW in regards to the the Riverside area. I think it's 10 trucks a
day or something and I don't know if they had final they just started hauling in May and how much of it goes through I think it's just barely touches Milton or a couple Milton roads but I do know that they were because I asked a question they said they were definitely coordinating with the the traffic uh it's not Lieutenant Alba whoever the new
traffic uh lieutenant is and the the DPW with great and so from for us we're we have this uh a letter here yes I drafted a comment letter that um has the town supporting the for RAA4
alternative which includes the removal of the dam. Um the letter also notes that um it identifies the paper mill site that I just referenced. Um the full document that the EPA produced does identify the paper mill site as a potential staging and loadout area for
the entire cleanup. So, I think if that were to become the identified site, there's there should be some conversations about what those impacts might look like. You know, the transportation access makes sense because you can go down Truman and out and get out to the highway from there,
but um it would be be a significant um impact potentially in terms of if that's the load out staging area for this entire cleanup. Um and where that's where the dam is, it makes sense. However, um I just note that the town would expect to have continued dialogue
and communication about that potential usage. That's great. And then I did um as was alluded to here um speak to the efforts that the town has had in terms of Milton Landing, in terms of the testing we've done before uh with uh
Boston and Quinsey and the results we've gotten that show the contamination in the saltwater side below um the Baker Dam. And just the recommendation from us in terms of how do we get the EPA to focus on it was just to ring it up at every opportunity you can. So, while this report has nothing to do with that,
it's an opportunity to to bring this up. So, I've done that in the letter as well. It's always good to flag things early. Um, so, uh, we have this comment letter. Uh, any any further, uh, discussion on this. I'll take a motion on the letter.
Somebody is Was that letter in the package? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. My bad. Oh, my computer's restarting over here. So, That's all right. Oh, it did. Sorry. Yeah. No, no, no worries. No worries. It's 18% of the way there. Um, all
right. So, uh, so, uh, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to move to approve the comment letter to the EPA regarding phase one cleanup alternative of the Neponet River Super Fund project. Great. Have a second. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. Um, any further discussion?
All in favor? I I opposed. Okay. you'll have your letter and please let us know how uh what how this continues to progress this very loop for sure. So I was uh with Mr. Wells I was keeping him in the loop as we were going but certainly we'll keep you in the loop. Thank you. I'm also going to make sure I
reach out to the planning board too with the zoning and everything. So that would be wonderful. There could be some impact there. Okay. Thank you sir. Yeah. Thank you. All right. Uh, next item in our agenda is the MBTA Communities Act, uh, and District Compliance Application. Um, I
just have a very short thing that I would like to read real quick. Um, if the board doesn't mind and then we can, uh, I think we we'll see what we have to we have to discuss the application letter. Um, so, and I, uh, I worked with, um, town
council to put this paragraph together. So, uh, I wanted to address some of the conversations that the select board had over the past couple of weeks in executive session around the MBTA Communities Act. Obviously, those conversations are all confidential, but I can share a few things. The first thing I want to do is thank Tom Doory
for his volunteerism and the time he's dedicated to the town on this issue and many others. There were a number of rumors circulating about this process. The select board could not make any decisions prior to our meeting on Thursday of last week, and any suggestions to the contrary are not factual. The last remaining question
about our classification status was answered by Judge Gilda in his decision to dismiss the taxpayer lawsuit last Thursday uh in which he referred back to the SJC decision that confirmed HLC's authority to set the status and Milton's designation as a rapid transit community. So that's I just wanted to
say that obviously what we talk about as I said uh in here in executive session is is privileged um uh but uh I felt like it was important to read that um Mr. Milano do we have we are going to go
through the application here. I did distribute the district of compliance application um in terms of what has I've been able to fill out. Um so what the application looks for is a description. Um you have to repeat where HLC has uh
categorized us and our obligations under the statute and the regulations and then describe each of the districts in detail pulling from the compliance parameters that um are produced by um UTIL in terms of their work and the planning board's
work um that went into it. So we describe each of the districts in accordance with the application. It asks some additional questions in terms of the affordable housing components and requirements um and then ultimately does seek um a letter from the town clerk that says that there are no other zoning
bylaws um that are newer than this. Um so that is a draft of the application that I've shared with the board. I would note that we're not submitting it. Uh I don't expect this week. Uh there are a bunch of materials that are required that the town clerk still has to prepare
um that go with any zoning bylaw not particular to this. Um so I would expect that to go in um uh early next week hopefully but certainly ahead of the July 14th deadline. Okay. If we retain our meeting on July 8th, we
could potentially review. Are is everybody here going to be around on July 8th? Yeah. Yeah. So maybe um we can re review it one more time before we um we approve because I think it would be nice to have all of the eyes dotted and te's crossed. Sure. And the main missing
material is the it's called it's referred to as the form seven which is a form that has to be prepared for any zoning bylaw. Um so that's what is not yet prepared. Okay. Uh so we can discuss now uh MBTA communities if there's anything that
folks would like to bring up. I just I have a few words to it. Okay. Um, reservation of rights are three words with more significance at this point than I think most people realize. Town council recommended including those
words in our action plan at the time it was filed several weeks ago. that there was resistance to include those words in our declaratory judgment case that was going to be filed by Tom Derty, a local attorney, and caused him to resign as he
believed that we would not have cause without that clause. I realize some are concerned that the 25% plan is the best path forward, but the fact is we really don't know. So, I feel it would be reckless of us not to include a
reservation of rights clause in our submission. And here again, we're asked being asked again to submit a 25% plan. And I would ask others, as others have before me, that we include a reservation of rights clause in a cover letter to our submission. So, I would like to
propose a motion that we include a cover letter with our 25% plan reserving the right to challenge our classification at some point down the road. Uh okay. Is there a second? Uh in in the absence of a second, um we
we'll just move forward. Um but thank you for for sharing those thoughts. Um other uh any anything else? I I know Miss Hagerty, you probably don't want to um uh participate in this discussion. Uh Mr. Daly, is there anything you'd like to add? Uh there's one thing. Yes. uh
that I would this has obviously been contentious and it's going on for a while but I think where we stand now uh with this being submitted in the coming weeks what I think we as the select board hopefully in collaboration with the planning board should be working on
is the town comment and whether that is town halls or whatever uh format we're putting that together where we discuss with the town what this zoning means. Uh there's been a significant changes since this uh was initially proposed. Uh we
have new sites, we have new neighborhoods, uh new people who may not have been paying attention as much as all of us have been. And I think we uh they deserve the right to understand what all this zoning means and is they deserve the right to have questions on
zoning. And I think we should not look at this as a set it and forget it. Uh, I know that's been said before that if we zone that we're not allowed to change that and I do not think that is correct and I think we should be going out um and setting together a plan for town halls, public comment and sharing this
with um all the folks in Milton that would like to be informed. I I I think that's is a an important and excellent suggestion. Um I know um previously when we worked on the last
25% plan the planning board had hosted a couple of uh public forums. We know if that's the if they're planning on doing the same um for this. I do not know. I don't have an update on that. I can between now and the next meeting I can
connect and and provide an update. I think the idea of a jointly hosted um information session with both boards would be both I think helpful to have everyone there and also a nice display that um that we're working together on on this. And uh my understanding is that
uh the planning board also just voted on Thursday to uh to under economic feasibility study analyze whether additional um limits of affordable housing would be um supported by the zoning and by the market. Um so the
zoning as written um that HLC did allow at the regs the language also says that if if we get a study showing 15% is allowable that goes into effect automatically MAPC scope of work will look at 15% 18% 20%
affordable rather than keeping it at the 80% AMI. So there might be an opportunity to craft a bylaw to change the affordability requirements within it if it's backed up by this study. So that work will take place. It might be a stretch, but possibly.
Yes. Okay. We don't want to throw a bunch of material at the warrant committee at the 11th hour. Again, 10. If we get the market study to show 15% is allowed, it automatically goes up to 15. to do anything beyond 15 at 80% AMI would require.
Um so then I think so if we're going to meet on July 8th um I think it would be worth letting the planning board know jointly hosting a couple of information sessions. I also would recommend that we may look at a couple of different venues
so that residents and uh in different places to get to art center east Milton maybe the high school if we think they're going to be a lot more attendees the high school can be a lot of parking you know not as big as a town meeting
along those lines. Um, I think if we're going to do it in the summer before school starts, we're going to need to have one or two cuz people are going to be away. Yeah. So, a couple of those days and probably I would think like a weekday evening
would be a would be a good choice. Okay. You know, even for for our board, like as long as we could get three of us there, I think that would be good knowing that people are traveling over the summer and same for the planning board. Last meeting. When you're saying 15 to 18%, you're talking about is that
percentage townwide or were you thinking about changing the percentages for for different projects? So, uh what I meant was it's for uh applicable projects under the MBTA communities only under the new zoning.
And you know as it easier easier to build you know a three family. So those would be not included in the affordability requirements. it stands if we're able to dial that up to 15% it would be eight units or more would have at least one affordable unit and and therefore for
each of the projects assess if there is a way to increase that to 18% to 20% or maybe keep it at 15% but go from 80% of the median income down to 60% of the median income just for kind of round numbers would be to get to our needed 10% in
uh we're guaranteed 10%. So of the 40bs are built out as designed then uh we will be in excess of the 10% required for the subsidized housing inventory. Okay without any changes that will change again is once the 2030
census numbers are done and our housing unit number changes because right now our 10% is based on 2020 census housing units. So, we're in good shape for probably once every assuming every jump over that 10% um likely until the
next census. Okay. Um so, uh item number six, uh antibbias training. I think most of us know uh and respect very much as a former member of the school committee uh uh suggesting uh
antibbias training. Do you want to remarks about both the letter as well as what this would entail? I don't have anything Mr. in the past and have brought out um and we could there are options for us if that is something that the board would like to
to consider uh from there thoughts from the so this is feedback or recommendations that all elected officials receive to bias training not as a regular kind of part of the job but we have engaged with
Maya for various types of training um to everybody to attend and sorry Maya is our insurance. Yeah, just you know I think in in the year 2025 like most organizations
state government annually we have to update our um inclusive leadership training antibbias training you know it's just we are asking your opinion yeah I think it's kind of like iterations I
think um at town meeting I've heard the phrase representation matters often um I think we have all of our electronically um in a lot of ways. So um I think absolutely we should look into uh what
our options are for antibiot elected board. So um planning board, select board, school committee. Yeah. Um us um in terms of our relationships. Mr. Crane, you have any you there's a number
of online um antibbias trainings that you can sort of engage in indiv uh folks to think about what it feels like to be in somebody else's shoes. And I will say that antibbias refers to a whole swath of of different things. It doesn't just refer to race. Um and
I think it would be great if we could look into see um would it be through Maya most likely? Yes. I I mean that would be um a quick um option for us. It might and I can report back from there. Yeah,
maybe report back on what you've got and then I you know we have some individuals who live in town that provide some some insight. So um that might be helpful. We'll do justice committee. Yeah. Yep. Agreed. Maybe we could ask them if they
also have thoughts. Moving along. I was switching to the vest. The vest done. Um it's cold. So we are um so we had previously was that our last meeting? It might have been our maybe two meetings ago. talked about um
how the get an update as of June 25th um in terms of where things stand presently um in terms million dollar in uh excess and um as well um and since we talked about that a bit already I'll I'll leave that
as well um and since we talked about that a bit already I'll I'll leave that there in terms of on the expenditure side as again we've talked about previously uh the pressures on the budget in our employee benefits, particularly in health insurance as we had uh the
pressures on the budget. In our employee benefits, particularly in health insurance as we had um higher um higher numbers of enroles than the budget um could absorb and snow and ice as we've had a um more expensive.
So where that stands in terms of closing out the year is that So where that stands in terms of closing out the year is that um we had a million I've have approved a million dollar transfer out for the Milton public schools um did at
their meeting last week um the same forecast on where we expect things to land. We uh draw that reserve fund down to a Z expect things to land. we uh draw that reserve fund down to a Z balance and then in order to balance the rest of
the budget um we would uh recommend various appropriations transfers B um based on where uh departments will end at the fiscal year end um on spent dollars. So, uh, the legal budget, the select board budget, the police
department budget, um, anticipating pretty decent turnbacks. So, we'll, um, seek to move some of those monies around to pretty decent turnbacks. So, we'll um seek to move some of those monies around to to move
it where there are designate Steve Rines um as the member who has the authority to sign off on these um as long as they're in keeping with what we presented to the marks. So, where that leaves us is we'll have a meeting next week. It sounds like July
7th, July 8th, excuse me, um to the marks. So, where that leaves us is we'll have a meeting next week. It sounds like July 7th, July 8th, excuse me. Um, so we can try to have more exact numbers in terms
of what we expect to move and I we can present that on the ETH or the select board in terms of what we expect to move and I we can present that on the ETH or the select board can vote to designate a member to sign off on these um designate
now and the deadline to take all these actions which is July 15th. We can re now in the deadline to take all these actions which is July 15th. We can revisit on the 8th. Are you guys visit on the 8th? Are you guys going to have a meeting before uh in the next week or two? Going to have a meeting before uh
in the next week or two. Signing off on this. I think we would arrange a meeting so we can go through the books. If the board's comfortable with that, the board I would think tonight should vote to authorize the select finance committee any necessary year end transfers barring
any de any necessary year-end transfers. barring any deviations from standard. Okay. Uh I'll I'll take that as a that language. I'll take it as a motion if anyone wants to make it. Well, because we're charging the the
finance. Well, because we're charging the the finance committee. We can't committ. Give us the make it. Yeah. So, I didn't realize the make it. Yeah. I'm happy to A to pot B so long as it doesn't disrupt
the, you know, the already existing plans for for government. Just if the select board budget is under by 200,000,000 then we can move right 100 from one to the other. I'll second. Okay. Uh any further discussion? All in favor? I I
You guys should vote because otherwise we don't qu um Okay. Uh item eight. Um Okay. Sure. Uh item eight, we have uh Milton budget coordinates. We have uh Milton budget coordinate coordination committee charge and membership coordination committee
charge and membership said at the town meeting uh select board meeting. So we incorporate a couple changes since um that last discussion which was to have the committee report back to in terms of a recommendation on its charge and whether it should continue
into fiscal 27. We added the um one resident to be appointed by the select board, one resident to be appointed by the school committee. Um that have been changed that have been changed and I know did we
we didn't officially and I know did we we didn't officially appoint Mr. Walker to that not yet position. Okay. Um so any further thoughts on this uh committee that length
at length um so I would uh accept uh an approval or I'd accept a motion to approve the um the committee charge of membership if anybody wants to make committee charge and membership. Great by the Milton Budget Coordination
Committee and seconded by Miss Hagerty. Um any further discussion? All in favor? I. Um would it be out of be appointed to that? Should we wait for a future meeting or I was just read make a note. I I what we could do at our next
meeting um would it be out of be appointed to that? Should we wait for a future meeting or I was just read make note. I what we could do at our next meeting is actually appoint both the members of nine discussion approval contract with capital strategic solutions for financial and operational review.
Uh thank you Mr. Chair Mr. Milano. Um this is something that No, I'm looking for it in the packet. Did I not include it in the packet? Does anybody remember? I don't remember seeing this in the packet. Okay, I will describe it and then uh we
could approve it on the ETH. Um if the board is open to it or the board could approve it tonight. So a municipal public administration type firm come in and and talk with staff and review processes, procedures, um controls and offer s
to software that's being used, identify places where improvements could be made there. Um so we sought um proposals to do that to this in Marblehead I believe recently um and have retired folks on their team that would come in with tons
of experience to be able potential rooms for improvement what's working well what's not working well um and the cost is $28,000 so I apologize that I did not um but
that is the broad scope and I'm I was just trying to pull it up so I could describe in more det. I'm looking at um give me one moment. what is the end product that this stakeholders um as we kind of see fit.
So something to incorporate all of us I think the opportunity here to to do that I think um is helpful and it's you know we're you know this came up because of we all acknowledge that there are things we can all do better and differently. Um
so to go over you know financial policies adequacy of but is um town school communications organizational structure HR payroll processes in terms of both the process that we use the software and techn
and then to take it all together into a report um that provides both short-term and long-term recommendations. Um have we done one of these before and identified more like governance suggestions? So like um you know appointed treasurer versus elected
treasurer um and town meeting suggestions and and suggestions for the warrant committee. This is more about kind of getting into more of the nitty-gritty in terms of how you know staff are working or not working and how systems are working
with the project. uh they said three to six months depending more on terms of engagement with the town and how long it takes to get Can I just ask so I know that given the events of um school budget issues
were coming to light or January um so will so it seems like the scope is exa have a health check on processes and procedures and systems Um
so um if the town's processes are also lumped in with it. Yeah. Finance background. Um so that has been part of the main like the question that I'm asking is no I understand they're going to get to pay a primary
focus of correct MPS. Okay. Do we need do we shared it with them um we shared it again uh in the last couple weeks and I met with the superintendent to talk about it and He's on board on board. Um so I I
vote for it. Um so uh but let's put it as a July 8th uh uh item and then um I don't think that it that will make a week's difference I guess in terms of getting operational but it's um
and I guess my my question would be to um is there what would be the role for our big budget committee or I would think that that would be a body that might be involved in that or it feels like a more
natural place for it to land and can have the same kind of feedback. People can report back out from that. Okay. So, we'll um we'll consider that on July 8th and we'll stand stand by for the for the agreement. Sorry about that. No problem at all, Mr. Milano.
Discussion approval liquor license. Mr. Chair, before we move, yes, Mr. Daily, just want to stay on that last point just occurring to me now. So if we if this if we had they make suggestions or they're responsible for implementation of the suggestions and we think four are
things that we should forward with what would be the path for that does the fin does that committee then move forward to the warrant committee do we yeah well also too it's just if
you know um I want to make sure that the school get um ownership of this as well. Um, you know, I wouldn't I think this kind
of tread the bigger committee and the school committee um in terms of like I I would hate for there to be findings from a report that you know really for sure at this time not seeing the
rest of the town government doesn't but I in terms of people's lanes right if if this were an expanded lane would the school committee feel the same level of ownership over I guess is the question I don't know if
there's a good answer there I just note that this larger committee doesn't have the authority to change anything the school does so it's more about the school committee need if or in ter and by the flip side this committee can't necessarily direct town and
departments to change. So it has to be you know um everybody has to take ownership for their piece because ultimately that's who's um to implement changes. Yep. Yeah. And then ultimately the authority sits here at the select board for for the whole kitten
kaboodleoodle. Um so I I think those are good questions. is something good to keep in mind as we move forward with this. I just know all too well how government works. Yeah. You touch it, you own it, right? Or someone might not own it, right? It could could turn into a hot potato. But just got to ask that
question. It's something for us to keep in mind, I think, as we read through what Mr. Milan is going to send to us and then as we think about both this committee as well as our continued, you know, fiduciary responsibility of the town, how how we'd want to interact with this uh group.
All set. Y uh moving along. Um discussion, approval, update, liquor license zones per request of the joint committee on consumer protection and professional lensure for the home rule petition for five additional liquor licenses, House Bill 4089. Mr. Milano, thank you, Mr.
Chair. We discussed this briefly before town meeting one night, but I don't have um a map. And just for people watching, uh, the town did approve a home rule petition at town meeting in February to authorize five additional liquor licenses anywhere in Milton. Um, for
Milton. Um, we received from the committee that oversees these bills in the legislature has been our request to refine where in Milton these licenses might go. Um, so we owe a map essentially that ident
we have not prepared it. So I'll kick that to July 8th if that's okay with the board. And my remembrance from our discussion um in our at at the school was that uh essentially we're just thinking that this is a map of zoning so that nobody's going to have a
restaurant pop up next door to their house. It would still be subject to zoning. Yes. Right. Okay. Um, all right. So, then we'll uh look at the map uh on July 8th, which is suddenly filling up a little bit. Yeah. Um, then we have uh discussion uh update
October 27th, 2025, fall special town meeting, potential warrant articles and timeline. Uh, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I put um hopefully in the packet a timeline of what it would look like to get to that uh Monday, October 27th special town
meeting deadline. um with the warrant closing in early August, which would give the months of August and September and really the days of October for the warrant committee to review um vote on and write
comments on the warrant articles um to the warrant committee. Um there's nothing um I'm aware of outside of the lighting bylaw that's been discussed in um is the one about alcohol uh in town
land. Those are the two kind of outstanding warrant articles that were at town meeting. Um, and then we should also talk about as a board next steps on those two articles what that might look like. Um, and what process that might look like to to get
into ver based on our experience with the last goound, could we frame this tattoo? I like the dates. Um, so I, you know, on the lighting bylaw, I
to wrapped up. Uh, it just felt like it was more of a worry, I think, about the time that was, um, and, um, our former member, uh, Bradley was, um, kind of the the point person on that. Um, so would
it do we have that language for the that was the most recently updated? So maybe what we can do is forward that language that we have now uh to member Bradley, former member Bradley she's aware of to that language. Um, and
if not, I'm not going to say July 8th for that one because I feel like we've already plugged a bunch of stuff in that. But we could we could do that one on the sec the second meeting in July. Okay. Um and then for the unless and I'm open to suggestions on that too. No, I
agree with that. Okay. Um and then for the um the the probably more sensitive topic of do we want to have um do we want to extend the a right to have a one day liquor license beyond town buildings
to including outdoor town property? Um we did have a well we had a public hearing on both of these um prior to prior to um Mr. Daly and Miss Hagerty joining. Um the lighting one had really no um citizen comment other than they
thought it was a good idea. The liquor license one to me seems like the one where we had some thoughtful input from the um uh uh Miss Miss Carol was was representing
the coalition. Yes, the coalition. Thank you. Um and it's it seemed to me like we were going to think about adding some of that language, but it might be helpful to circulate a redlinined version language. And and these were suggestions
like having tips trained bartenders. Um having um just liquor, but I well I guess liquor was was was permitted. Um and then I I think if we if we could circulate that now and then also have that
meeting. Uh is that what it is? July 25. 22nd. 22nd. Um maybe um maybe we could look at it on July 8th. Uh and then Mr. Cohane, you know, if you've got questions or or thoughts
about could at least start the discussion then uh and then if we agree to it, then we could maybe we don't have to put it on the 22nd. But we also I feel like with this particular item have struggled with the
before we take it up. I think that's a good question. Make sure that we are done with it. So I think what we could do is because I feel like what happens is up and say but you haven't spoken with us. So the board of health had thoughts
about it. The Milton Coalition had thoughts about it. the Chamber of Commerce had thoughts about it and we've heard from all three of them. So I think you're making an excellent point, Miss Higerty. So what we could potentially do is on the 8th just look at the language and then circulate it for public comment
and then have it again on the 22nd and if people have additional thoughts they could come in there and then we could certify it and then I can do that. Um and then uh members other um articles suggestions for uh the fall town meeting
um through the process of not to get too back into the MBTA community's discussion but um with the input of citizens and and the town halls some refinement to that um but given the timeline. It probably won't happen in
that fall town meeting unless there's something that's glaringly obvious that everyone's missed. Okay. Um but you some reason we get the um economic feasibility study back. All right. That would allow us to move up the uh the
affordable housing meeting to be in October. And I'll just I should have flagged but um EMP's term and charge does expire at the fall technically at the fall. There may be an article potentially
related to Empic, but I haven't received anything quite yet. So I think I we are discussing that. So we're right now of um action items and uh we should probably pick a date in the fall for us to come back. um
board prior to town meeting. Okay. To start that conversation. Yeah, I think that makes sense. Okay. So, maybe September sometime and then uh planning committee. I know that Mr.
Hasha is hoping to come in either on the 8th or the 22nd. So, we can give him the dates for those, but I don't know that they're once. All right. Going twice. Let's move on to town council and labor council update. Potential recommendation for labor council services. Mr. Milano.
Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. We completed um interviews with five labor council firms over Tuesday and Wednesday. And then on Thursday, um we interviewed town council firms uh with a group um that in
honors the chairs of uh the conservation commission, the board of appeals, the planning board, the town and the town clerk. So I think that was in terms of those uh types of bodies that would interact regularly with town
council. Um, so we discussed a bit in terms of how we felt the interviews went. We're doing some follow-up homework on the firms that lead for the town. Um, doing some reference checks and then we'll reconvene as groups to moving forward.
Great. Um, well, now I know why Mr. Walsh is here. I think we have a discussion about the future use and 525 Adam Street and request for proposals, process, and goals. Am I guessing that you're joining us here,
Mr. Walsh? Thank you. The best use of this plan. I asked them as we were driving uh into East Milton yesterday and that was their verdict. So, I hope that's that's what you've got lined up for us. Some bubble tea. Well, actually, Mr. Chairman, if
you would, I' I'd like the opportunity just to make a couple of comments. In general, this is the first time I've had the opportunity to address the floor with the two newest members. My chance to say welcome. Uh, and I wanted to explain very very briefly where we are.
So, um, quick update. I I think as you know, the headquarters are done and the headquarter station is done and where the FSBC, fire station building committee, the fire department, we're all It came out terrific. And if you haven't had a chance to really see it and go in,
I'd encourage you to do so. And if I could help you with that, a tour, I'd be happy to do that. Um, so one thing, the the East Milton station, commonly referred to as Engine 2, has actually the new one has actually begun. If you've any if any of you have gone by,
you've seen the fencing and you've seen a lot of piles of dirt, but it's really uh slow moving stuff right now. the the had to do a lot of work with the dirt, make sure there was nothing dangerous underneath where they're going to pour
it. Had to really work to confirm where the utilities would come AC will will serve both the new fire station and the existing uh Saga's rectory which is right next door right
close by. And so even though that work building committee feels it's important to have a groundbreaking ceremony and one of the reasons I'm here is to starting the pouring the pad and building the structure right that's that's the point uh I will be happy to
get the date when it's finally nailed down to see the opportunity for any or all of you if you could attend you know the east Milton station significantly smaller than the head to attend that groundbreaking and just as the course of the project at that point there'll be
about 12 months to completion. Uh and we'll have two other ceremonies. We did this at the headquarter, right? The highest beam at the at the building. It's a very quick thing. And of course the ribbon cutting which we hope will be in about 12 months. Um now interesting
enough I know you have the item on the agenda for the old one especially for the new I want a very very brief update that station is the second station that's occupied that location and I don't find that many
people know that it came on 51 to 1952 right in that area. Uh ironically in 1954 the state and federal government decided they were going to sink the expressway. So that that station was
of streets around that sunken expressway. And I got to tell you, there's no doubt in my mind that we would not have rebuilt that state, the expressway versus the Quinsey side. And it takes day the fire engine a full minute to get around right over to the
post office capabilities. I could probably hit the post office with a rock from the Eastbuilt fire station. So in losing a minute, the national standard for all fire stations is to get to 90%
less. So losing a minute is a big deal. And frankly, that's on a good time. They lose a good minute and a half anytime it's around morning or uh evening. the station right out on Adam station right out on Adam Street a very wide straight street very great lines of sight visibility and they'll have a light
there but they can go left and most of the 75% significantly faster for the folks that are on the folks that are on the quinsey side east Milton Square and they can get quickly up to those things so you know I it's one of the
reasons by the way there was no ambiguity about we had to do the headquarter station first and everything were all there and some of them were really archaic. I mean they had a like a ticker tape system. We kind of really archaic. I mean they had a like a ticker tape system. We kind of
did a film the town meeting at one point. But in any event but this doing what what was the best second station? It's really because of that serve the the area they're supposed to in a timely fashion. Um, so I'm here. So
I'm here East Milton Station and for very selfish reasons, we'd like to we we're going to need more funding. When we started seven plus years ago, both our owners, project manager, and the uh architects that we were working
with said, "Look, if you put out to bid all three stations, you'll get a much better price because it'll be a nice long project for them." And so we're And CO did two things that that are plaguing us even to today. The first thing it did is it drove up drove up the
prices. And so we had a funding formula for the for the fire stations which was terrific. A special purpose stabilization fund that says as the retiring debt from the six retires, we froze it and said that will
fund the stations. Well, the station's more more expensive now and the cost of money is more expensive. Selling the old East Milton station and allocating it to the fire station so that we can complete a there's there's also no doubt in my mind
more than once about this. We're probably going to have to find another funding source to complete the Athen. We thought the special purpose stabilization fund was going to do it uh complete all three stations. It doesn't can happen to our favor. Uh but there's
no doubt we could use we could use the proceeds. There are areas in town as I travel around that I that I've recognized as being a fire station guy. Um, and I I know of
that would really be a serious buyer and for the old station if you sell it. And I don't know who do I I know of that would really be a serious buyer and for the old station if you sell it and I don't know who do I direct that to. I I
Nick. Okay. I I don't want to feel that. I know you probably have other Yeah, I I Yeah, I I think that's it. So, again, welcome. Thank you. I hope that helped a little bit on the fire station brought a hold of me. Be happy to take
you on a little tour. You you It's It came out terrific. You know, even from little things if we just the glass doors in the front were recently completed to get ideas and we we stumbled across that and the fire chief
recently completed to get ideas and we we stumbled across that and the fire chief made an at that town he said you know sometimes they break don't they you go to open them up and you can't open them and that's happened to me he said well when ours break you know not being
able to open them is a Google and find it there are cases in the country you know not being able to open them is a Google and find it. There are cases in the country where a fire truck has had to drive through a door to get to the to to to a call. So, in any event, those
doors there, they just won't they're designed they just won't they're designed they cannot get stuck closed. And they also are incredibly much much easier. They're all all of these doors are so large whether
the old overhead doors or those they all have an electronic op option to open them. But sometimes that who knows power failure that fails. And so this chief manual lever and so this cheap manual lever and he grabbed it again and
he easily opened all four bays. And uh that's a big safety advantage. And then especially There's a there's a nursery school or on one side and one on the other side. The council on aging is right behind it. Town hall is right in front. It's a busy
spot. And having all that pure glass wall for the fire there just adds a whole level of safety. And with that, I'll stop my my uh my pitch on behalf of the fire stations. And it's a beautiful station. and uh
you're right to date. So uh questions from the members if I could just Mr. Chair just to add to kind of put some additional color on this. So in terms of where we are at is with 12 months 14 months
will be out of use. It's time to start thinking about what we want to do there. Um you know you heard from Mr. Walsh in terms of, you know, sell and and move on and use that additional proceeds to help a future capital project in particular Athen Station. Um, you know, if we're
going to do an RFP, then we'll need to think, we just want the expectations clear in that and and the goals clear in that. So, folks are responding to what uh we're looking for. Um, if it's not to sell it, it's to lease it. So, we have an option. Then, we need to kind of make a decision around that. Are we going to
require that the building stay? Do we have attachments to the building that we want it to stay or are we okay with no restrictions if we sell it or lease it? Um those are kind of the two big uh go no-go questions. Um and then ultimately
any kind of sale where would or a long-term like a 99-year lease that's effectively a sale that kind of land transaction would require a town meeting vote. Um, so in thinking about the timeline to get to town meeting, um, is a, you know, scheduling question in terms of do we go to town meeting,
request the authorization to sell it or long-term lease it and then we do the procurement or does the select board want to do the procurement and say, okay, we pick somebody now it's subject to town meeting and deliver kind of a done deal to town meeting. So there's
different ways to sequence these um and different ways to to game this out, but we need to kind of g start engaging on those conversations earnestly. Um not necessarily obviously this evening, but thinking about that timeline as we saw with the town farm RFP. These can take a
long time, but uh we do want to keep the wheels of government trying to move here um so we have resolution on this project um one way or the other. Mr. in in keeping with what others have said, trying to get community involvement. Is there a way we can
somehow do that, let people know, maybe some kind of an event at the art center? I don't know. No, I agree 100% with that. And it's again getting to the point where are there any things that folks are are we just open it up to kind of broad feedback? Do we want to go in
with the board's inclined more in this way? What kind of feedback do you have about that idea? So that again that makes sense. It's smart to do. We would want to we would certainly want to enroll that in. It's just a question of what and kind of with what how much detail do we go out so that there's actually
something to respond to and think about. I'm just thinking it it be it's always nice for any anything to go out before decisions made, you know. So if you can go out there before the decision. I know in the case we have here we're behind the eightball because it's already been
made. But this is a case where we where we could and um I'm happy to do whatever I I can. It's my neighborhood to help um set something up. Talk some more. No, I think that's a I think that's a good suggestion. It it'
probably be good to get like the chamber to weigh into like what do they think about um and then for all of us I think we should be think be be thinking about worth doing a like a 99-year lease like
we're doing with Town Farm or or a total sale think whether we keep the building or not those are all uh the building I can't imagine some some people have that building's not great Mr. Walsh. Yeah, if I could just um when we after
our project started, we actually became aware of a problem at that station and in fact we had to spend some 50,000. That station was originally brought into service both the first time and in in this particular building. It had two engines. In fact, at one point it
actually had a ladder truck before prop two and a half support two fire engines in those bays. We spent $50,000 shoring up the floor, but it's still not strong enough for two fire engines. So, at some point, someone, you know, depending on whatever
use they they determine be will have to do a real analysis and decide, you know, what they can really do with that building. Firehouse Subs was a name that came out as long as there's bubble tea there. Um so it sounds like you know there would
be I don't Mr. Cohane in terms of like thinking about the um you know getting some resident input on that. So maybe we should be working towards a date in September October once people or folks are back kind of right after get through the start of school trying to do something over at the art center or
something just in and keep it broad. you know, there's a future reuse kind of visioning and feedback type conversation. Yeah. And and I think, you know, it would be that would give us a little bit of time to at least get some sense of what the market might hold if we wanted to sell this the site. Um, you
know, because I know, for example, the youth task force may want to think about that as a as a youth center. Um, and then what would that what would we lose in revenue in terms of creating that versus finding other space for a youth center. So, I know there'll there'll be lots of interesting ideas, no doubt that
will come up. And not just the neighborhood, beyond the neighborhood. Yeah. And I should have noted we did do um we tried to do an expression of interest phase where we put it out to say give us your thoughts and your feedback. Um and we've had good
conversations with folks who are interested. Um, people have been reluctant to put in a proposal out there or even the concept of a proposal out there for because we haven't engaged in much of a process. They didn't want their name tied to something that's just kind of concept. They didn't want somebody else to steal the idea. So, it
left us in kind of a tough spot, but we have had um you know, one-on-one conversations with a few people are are interested in potentially purchasing um the station, but we know that would need to go through a public vetting um before any decisions are made. Yeah, I think
maybe if we could target end of September, early October. Okay. And just, you know, in the meantime, we'll start just percolating the ideas around if folks have if there's like a something on the town website. Maybe if people just have ideas or thoughts about
what the old station could be, might be a good way to get some of the ideas turning, but we will um we'll definitely take the recommendation very seriously the committee in terms of the money. I could take just a one more thing, brief amount
more of your time. The one thing when I stress about the beautiful new headquarters that I I was remiss in not mentioning, an extremely important part about that building is the absolute increase in safety and health features for the firefighters. Just isolating the
engine bay so the fumes aren't rising up to where they sleep and eat uh to to dress down areas to wash down areas etc. So all things there many things are important but that clearly is an important feature of new buildings and
we all three of them need it. I I did the tour I saw that the wash down areas was pretty impressive. Pretty all right. Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Walsh. Thanks, Brian. Thanks, Brian.
Um All right. Did I miss the inclusion of the I saw for the So our next item is the town administration. Um in the packet I think there was a there was the addendum for
your uh for setting the next um we have an evaluation from yourself and Aaron Bradley. Um that's what we've received so far just for me and for from you on the pay side. Um I know what my evaluation was. Did did Carla turn in
anything that we can do we have anything that we can approve? And just since there was only the two of them, we didn't take any rather. Okay. Um Roxan also included in that did Roxan not submit a red muster? Um
well she was we were having these discuss maybe um Mr. Milan if I come into the uh well I would say Mr. just that the the the period ends today, right? And so I'm just saying the period
ends today. I should no This is for last year. I don't have anything to do with that. I just started just like the these two. They don't have anything to do with last year. This this year, correct? you you would have
so but they're not doing one for this year. Okay, let me talk to I'll talk to Carla about it a reason moving forward. Correct. Moving forward to try to reset it, right? There's not like a perfect solution to this between the election cycle and the fiscal years. Um in terms
of like having one more input even if it's just for a month, but that's um let me see what And then either way, let's put it on our July 8th agenda and I'll whatever she's got gotten to it, whatever she and I can cook up.
And do you need us to approve the amendment language? Yes. Yes. This will just formally change the cycle to get away from the issue, go through the process again in six months just to get it to a December to December time frame. Got it. Um, so I would take a motion on
uh If anybody is so inclined, I'm I'm also happy to do it. I'll um Mr. Chair, I'd like to move to um amend the approve the amendment or sorry, approve
the amendment to the employ to the employment agreement with the town administrator regarding the section five employ performance evaluation. Great. Can I have a second? A second. Uh, and uh, all in favor? I I All right. Um, so
I'll looks like I'm going to have a a busy day at town hall on Thursday. Uh, just in time for the fourth. We are now at uh, board committee appointments and reappoints. Uh, I would be very happy if somebody
wanted to speed read through the motions here. Want me? If you'd like to do that. Do I need to say something ahead of time or just start reading motion to approve? Right. So, right right here, you could just do the you could just read this one here. Okay. Grab that
unless we have any discussion about this. I did talk to on the on the um affordable housing trust. I confirmed um that everybody who is on there currently is reapplying uh and interested in reapplying. So, correct. That's pretty much the only one that I looked at.
them all and so just all together. You can just do the proposed motion here. I move to approve move to approve the following individuals to the affordable housing trust for the one-year term. Sean Bentley, Thomas Callahan, Kevin Krisen Jr., Kathleen Conland, Julie
Kramer, Eric Hinson, Warren Lizzio, and Matthew Can I get a second? Second. All in favor? I. Great. And we've already appointed Mr. Dailyy to that committee. So then this then you go to this next one. Uh move to reappoint the following individuals to the
airplane noise advisory committee for a one-year term. Kathleen Conland, David Goodine, and Raju Pat. Going to get a second. Second. Second by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I I move to approve the following individuals to the
Council on Aging Board of Directors for a three-year term. David Cornish and Yavon Ready. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I I move to I think you went backwards actually. I pulled my pages weird. Yeah,
you got two pages. Sorry. So, here we go. Two pages. Got you. Um, move to appoint Sher Paulo as associate member of the Council on Aging Board of Directors for a one-year term. Second. Second by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I.
Move to appoint the following individuals as advisory. Move to appoint Marie Zincis as exeic member of the Council on Aging Board of Directors for a one-year term. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor?
I I I move to appoint the following individuals as advisory members to the Council on Aging Board of Directors for a one-year term. Caroline Kinsel and Sarah Tron. Uh second, second by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I I move to
reappoint the following individuals to the Milton Landing Committee for a one-year term. Richard Burke, Ted Carroll, Thomas McCarthy, and Nicholas Milano. Second. Seconded by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I I move to reappoint the following
individual to the Shade Tree Advisory Committee for a one-year term. Nancy Krism uh Marita Manning Cronin Mora Fiona Javon William Madden and Fred Taylor. Second. Seconded by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I move to appoint Helen
Russell to the Sha Tree Advisory Committee for a one-year term. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I move to reappoint the following individuals to the sign review committee for a one-year term. Lawrence Johnson, Deborah Azerad Sabona, Laura Simonei,
and John Seikoitz. Seconded by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I I move to appoint Steven Gentiel to the sign review committee for a one-year term. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I I move to reappoint the
following individuals to the Equity and Justice for All Advisory Committee for a two-year term. Rabbi Alfred Benjamin, Sarah Myyrie, Sarah Porter, and Ralph Parent. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I
I um move to appoint Jonathan Vulery to the Equity and Justice for All Advisory Committee for a two-year term. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I I move to reappoint the following individuals to the local historic district study committee for a
one-year term. Andrew Hoffman, Larry Lawer, Ryan Mlan, and Brian O'Halerin. Second. Seconded by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I. I. Move to reappoint the following individuals to the payment in L of taxes pilot committee for a
one-year term. Jennifer Hine, Matthew Kezwick, Nicholas Milano, and C. Robert Reits. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I I move to reappoint the following individuals to the traffic commission
for a one-year term. Uh Marian Driscoll and Steve Gister. Second. Seconded by Mr. Dailyaly. All in favor? I move to appoint the following individuals to the youth task for for a one-year term. Griffin Angus Christina
Lily Hook and Rachel Posar. Second. Second by Mr. Daly. All in favor? I move to approve the Yeah, you did it. I did it. [Music] And with many many thanks to all of those town individuals, including you, Mr. Milana, who made a couple of
appearances there uh for your time and dedication um in volunteering for the town. We really really appreciate it. And the uh quick reading of that is really to just emphasizes how much we appreciate it. We don't need we need to really talk about it. We just appreciate
it that much. So, we have discussion approval med five. Um, do any uh any comments on the minutes or I'll take a motion. All in favor? I. Uh, town administrators
report. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, we sent out a note through uh the town website and uh just and in case you notice a change, it does incorporate an estimate for the override that was approved by voters in a town meeting
earlier this year. Um, and all of that change would have been felt on the final tax bills. So, um it it was adjusted from the preliminary the preliminaries were adjusted from the prior fiscal year to account for um the
um so um their resources if you're looking for assistance um through the assessors and the council on aging and others um on the tax burden. In additional news, um the assistant dire Frasier um has given notice that she'll
be leaving uh the town um as well the state. She'll be moving out of state. So uh we wish her the best of luck. She'll be with us. Have the town engineer posting still out there. Department back to where it um where it needs to be. the uh new veteran service officer um
has begun um or has has been Alex Ortiz um they're cleaning out his office right now in the Council on Aging. Um so we look forward to welcoming welcoming him um and he should be again working as of next week. In
addition to that we have commissioner in Bridgewater and West Bridgewater, Michael White. he'll start July 14th. Um that position has been vacant since December. Um so again, we're excited to to get that office as
well back up. Um that concludes it for me, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Uh the chair's report. Oh, I should ask any questions for Mr. Milano for his from his report first.
Um I it's unfortunate. I know that she's pursuing a professional opportunity by going to law school in Texas. So, we understand that um she's a law school grad and it's always worth to some
saying it is um for all of our residents to just remember how hard um Mr. Milano to you and to all of the other folks um that do the hard work to keep keeping running. Um we had a presentation from DPW
probably worth thinking about who our next and maybe you and I Mr. Cohen can talk about who might come in for a future meeting when we do an agenda planning session. Um but uh it's really uh you know in be pretty nasty to each other. I think
it's just really important to remember you know you can send me nasty messages is is fine but please be gentle and kind to our town employees who are doing the very best that they can do. running and uh and we're we're again very grateful for that. Thank you. Uh
for my chair's report um I just want to so successful uh even um sessions out on uh Governor Hutchinson Field. Um thank you. I know the Copeland Foundation is involved in that. I know Mr. Wells is very involved in that and and many many other uh
volunteers. Um the Celtic music celebration on Sunday. Um, and so thank you to everybody who came out to that and made it a great success um uh on Turner's Pond. Uh, and I uh recommend if you are going on a walk on Turner's Pond, there's a a
lovely bench um that's set I guess on that would be on the selected by her daughter. Um it's a very lovely location and and there was a good turnout of folks um at that dedication. Um, I'm trying to think of what else we've done in the last week. I don't
know that there's that much else. Shout out. Um, I know there was um, we talked about the water man and uh, sinkhole and everything. There was a the the DPW and the fire department had a very busy uh, weekend. I think that was was that two
weekends ago? Um and so we we're grateful for their response to all those um late late activities. Um so with that being said, I don't think we have anything for public comment response. Um future meeting dates we have July 8th
and July 22nd. Um future agenda items already filled up pretty much filled up. I and I I know that we we were going to put Mr. um Mr. Hasha and the and the climate justice committee might I might suggest to him the July 22nd meeting for
their presentation. Um and then I know for the first executive session we can skip it. Are we in for this second executive session? If we could. Um yes please. Okay. So I am going to uh propose that we uh move to
adjourn from open session and enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. Milton Clerical Unit of Southeastern Public Employees Association, Milton Professional Management Association, Milton Public Employees Association, Milton Firefighters Local 116, Milton
Police Officers Assoc Milton Police Association, Milton Superior Officers, Milton Library Association. based on my belief that the discussion of the matter in open session may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the select board. The select board will not return to open session. Can I have a
second? Second. Seconded by my by Mr. Dailyaly. This is a roll call vote uh to move into executive session and adjourn. Mr. Dailyaly, yes. Miss Haggerty, yes. Mr. Cohane, yes. And myself, yes. That will conclude the open portion of this meeting. Thank you everyone for joining
us.