Good evening everyone and welcome to the Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 meeting of the Milton Select Board. Please rise if you are able and join me in saying the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Uh next up on our uh agenda is public comment. Uh by rule, the select board
allows 21 minutes for public comment. Uh limiting each speaker to three minutes. Uh, I will give a a signal if you when you hit the 230 mark. If you get that far, um, do we have anyone signed in, Mr. Fundling?
>> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> I'm Jay Funding. I live at 39 Sci Lane and I'm the chair of the warrant committee and I'm here tonight on behalf of myself and on behalf of the warrant committee to thank Benzel and Richard Wells for your services to this town and to this committee.
Uh I've known Ben since we had two children in kindergarten together and those two children are now 12th graders. So we've been through a lot. Uh I'm impressed by what you two have contributed and I think of the spread of public service that I'm looking at here.
We've got a multi-deade, multi-generational public servant to the town of Milton and we've got a person who moved here from Ohio that I think I think that represents the town. We've got people in this town who've been here for generations and people who are new and we all come together and work
together and I've seen watched both of you in your public service and what you've done for the community and been very impressed and thankful for both of you. So, I wish you both the best. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Fman. is greatly appreciated. >> A lot of time, but a lot of time to go there.
>> You can keep We've got another two minutes. >> We keep saying nice things about you. >> It's all right. It's all right. >> Uh, anyone else in for public comment? Uh, just check online. I don't see any hands. Okay. Uh, next up on our uh
agenda is our departmental report with Michael White, building commissioner. >> How you doing? >> Good evening. Thanks for having me in. >> Absolutely. Um so the way that the select board's been doing this, we've been asking different departmental heads
to come in, talk about their work a little bit, um what's going well, what might need improvement, um give us kind of an overview, and um have a little question and answer at the end. So I'll turn the floor over to you, sir. >> All right. I kind of broke this down into a few different sections more for
you guys and the residents of the community that may not have a good handle on exactly what we do in the department. So basically an overview the inspectional services department which we call ISD for short uh helps
keep Milton safe and well uh well ma maintained community. The department works to ensure that homes, businesses, and properties meet state safety codes and local zoning requirements uh so that buildings are safe for use
and neighborhoods remain healthy and attractive. ISD issues permits, conducts inspections in response to questions or concerns related to building construction,
renovations, electrical, plumbing, gas work, and property conditions. The department also oversees the weights and measures program to ensure fairness and accuracy in the sale of goods. staff works closely with residents,
contractors, and business owners to explain the requirements and guide them through the permitting process and help resolve issues in a fair and professional manner. The organ organizational
and structure and staffing, the departments led by myself as the building commissioner and the zoning enforcement officer. Uh Barry Wringler is our one full-time local inspector. Jay Bouio and Walter White are our two
part-time 16-hour a week local inspectors. And Walter just recently retired a few weeks ago, so we don't have him anymore. Um Dominic Franchelli is our part-time
25hour a week electrical instructor. Mark Kelly is one of two part-time plumbing and gas inspectors. Mark works 25 hours a week. Eric Pillsmaker is the second part-time plumbing and gas inspector and he works
10 hours a week. Both Mark and Eric Shia the sealer of weights and measures duties. Um our Killian Berdofi is our code enforcement and complaint officer. Kina Goodidge is our senior
administrative clerk. Bill Donnelly is our administrative clerk. Given the highly regulated nature of the work, staff are required to maintain extensive certifications, continuing education and lensure under
Massachusetts law. Our core responsibilities first would be permit management. We review and issue permits for residential and commercial projects involving structural work, electrical systems,
plumbing, gas, mechanical, fire alarm, and sprinkler systems. Plan review. We evaluate the architectural and site plans before construction begins to ensure they meet the technical standards
of structural integrity, fire protection, energy efficiency, and accessibility under the handicap accessibility codes. on-site inspections. We conduct field inspection at critical stages of
construction such as foundation, framing, insulation, and final completion to verify that the work matches the approved plans and adheres to the safety codes and the town zoning
code and code and zoning enforcement interpreting and enforcing the town of Milton zoning bylaws. examples, building heights, the property setbacks, and the use regulations that are allowed by our zoning.
Sighting violations or issuing stop work orders when construction is non-compliant. Some of these violations can consume not hours, days, or weeks, but months of our time, which we've got a couple that are going on, unfortunately,
that are chewing up some serious time. uh issuing certificates of occupancy. So at the end of a project, we perform a final inspection and issue the official document that certifies that a building
is safe to be legally inhabited. This typically entails for a residential home checking all the heates, the smokes and CO, heat detectors, make sure all the stairways meet the code and have the proper guards and handrails
and final energy compliance and zoning compliance for setbacks. Uh public education and records. We provide technical guidance to homeowners, contractors, and architects regarding code requirements and zoning
requirements. We also maintain a public record of the permits and inspections. Some specialized functions we perform uh annual safety inspection. So that's a
periodic safety check. Usually we try to do like the schools a month or so before the schools open. So if there's any deficiencies, they have time to correct it before school opens. But we do the periodic safety checks on existing
public buildings, schools, hospitals, places of assembly like churches, theaters, and restaurants. These inspections involve checking egresses, fire alarm systems, sprinkler
system, kitchen hoods, fire extinguishers, exit sign, emergency lighting, and non-per permitted flammable materials that may be there. Uh, I take my position in the permit
review and this inspection process very seriously. Uh earlier in my career, the Rhode Island Station nightclub fire happened and that like drove home how serious this job was.
Uh that fire killed a hundred people and severely injured 300 more. And in the end, I believe it boiled down to a failed inspection by the building official and fire official on one of these periodic inspections.
Um, so every permit I review, I just think of that and make sure I don't make a mistake because and I think about if I screw this up, what is the end? What could happen to somebody? And I just hope that I never make that
same mistake. Um, emergency response. So we respond to fires or buildings into structures or natural disasters to assess the structural damage to buildings.
Weights and measures. As I said earlier, both of our plumbing and gas inspectors share the weights and measures duties. They inspected commercial scale scanners, gas pumps, and various other measuring devices to ensure market
equity for consumers. So that's actually goes into a lot of things that you may not realize. Scales like propane tank weighing at your local pharmacy if they're weighing pills or medication or any measurement of liquid solids, mulch
at your local landscaping yard. So if someone doesn't think they got a cubic yard, they would go investigate it and measure the yard. Uh operational H highlights the department processes a steady volume of permit applications
and inspections annually reflecting the ongoing residential reinvestment and commercial activity throughout Milton. This fiscal year we've been inundated with projects. I was just going to give a quick summary
of what's going on. So, some of the larger projects for Franklin Street, the 40B, 92 units of apartments, 440 Granite A, another 40B consisting of 4,000 square ft of
commercial space on the first floor and 24 units on the upper levels. 40 access road is another 40B project with 40 apartments. 600 Canton A Winter Valley constructing
36 apartments. 582 Blue Hill AS 40B with 84 units divided amongst two buildings. 936 Brush Hill Road, 40B, another 20 units.
701/703 Randolph A, formerly 711 Randolph A's 90 units split between two builder two buildings. 107 to 111 Highland Street, a memory
care. That's they're getting ready to file those permits for that project pretty soon. 432 Adams Street, which I think we got to change the address on that. Uh the new East Milton Fire Station 2, 675 Blue Hill A is a twostory
daycare center going up. Milton Hospital just had extensive modular units added on to create a expanded emergency room wing and they're doing multifphased renovations inside the hospital. That's
all ongoing at the same time. Some of the smaller things that are going on, we currently have 21 new single family homes under construction at various phases. 120 additions that also have substantial
interior renovation to the existing structure happening. Then there are 48 projects that are just strictly additions with no renovation to the interior. Currently in Q228U units
and we probably had about another 22 inquiries today. We've had a a lot of ramped up interest in that with a lot of people coming in trying to find out what the requirements are and what they have to do or can do.
uh annually around 80 certificates of inspection. So those would be th the periodic inspections when the schools, the restaurants, places and daycarees, churches, places of assembly.
Then all the other smaller building permits, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical combined is about 2,310. Those are all the other smaller projects.
Other area of our operational highlights, we have strong coordination with the uh fire department, which I'd like to say since my arrival in Milton, the relationship between fire department
and inspectional services, it's been better than I hoped for. and Chief Madden, Deputy Chief Steve King, and Fire Prevention Officer Steve Mataniano have been fantastic to work with.
We also work very closely with the planning department, DPW, engineering, border health, conservation and police department on complex or multi-disiplinary matters. The department has continued to pro
provide consistent enforcement while accommodating evolving state codes and zoning regulations and emergency directives when applicable. The like to say the team at KP Law has been an invaluable support to myself and my
staff especially on the more serious enforcement issues that require legal intervention. and they have been also fantastic to thank to work with. Some of the challenges and constraints
we face some ongoing challenges. I think the biggest one is increased regulatory complexity, the frequent updates to the state building code, not just the state building code, plumbing, gas, mechanical, the fire code, the energy
code in our own zoning bylaws. We've had a lot of recent uh new additions to it that we have to work through and the ADU's actually been one of the more difficult. A lot of times the state will just hey this is the idea give you the
game but not the rules and then we have to figure it out. So, we've been working a lot with KP Law on the legal end on some of the different crazier scenarios. I call it non-conforming issues and just other issues that aren't
common. And the the codes, everybody's just changing on a different cycle. So, just when you fully understand it, they change it again. And now we have to educate ourself, educate the
contractors, the homeowners, everybody. And it just keeps going round and round. So it's difficult. It would be nice if the code maybe we we changed and most of them change every 3 years. So like the day the my new code
issue, they started working on the next one to get it released. Um the current zoning bylaws I think we could use some work updating them. There's some areas that there's some
conflict and maybe out of data irrelevant sections and I thought it would be great to try to introduce some use tables and maybe land space and density tables that could
make it someone could look at it and within five seconds know if the use have the all the allowed uses in all the zoning districts and see if it's allowed not allowed allowed. owed by special permit through the zoning board, special
permit by the planning board. Right now, we got to walk through a page and section after section looking, but that would like be something that would make things a lot easier for everyone to be able to within seconds know what you can
and can't do. uh staffing and workload pressures, the inspectional services, staffing levels. We might we have to balance the permit volume, inspection turnaround times, and
enforcement obligations within an available budget resource. And since I've been here, we've been struggling. I don't know what happened in the past, and I don't know the workload. I can obviously see there's
more than a plate full of 40 bees. That's enough to keep forget everything else that that's overwhelming standing alone. Um where I say so it's struggling to keep up with that
up and we're struggling prior to Walter White's retirement. So his departures increased the struggles and we're also temporarily covering the duties of our full-time code enforcement officer. So we kind of got a guy and a
half trying to make up another guy and a half workload. Customer expectations. The residents and contractors are increasingly expecting faster processing times
while code review requirements continue to expand. So that's problematic like the the new energy requirements and the specialized energy code just all that stuff adds extra layers. Most of it
unfortunately is on their time if they apply and don't realize they need a hers rate or the specialized energy code and then that can take a lot of time for the energy consultant to model the usually it's a new home whereas substantial
renovation to figure out how to get the project to comply. The other things the aging housing stock older buildings pre present unique safety accessibility and code compliance challenges
requiring experienced inspection oversight. So those become more difficult to process and through the zoning we have a lot of nonconform legal nonconforming properties that end up having to go to the zoning board for
relief for their nonconformity. So that really throws a wrench into the process when that happens, but there's no way around that. Some of the goals and strategic priorities. Looking ahead, the inspectional services department will
focus on the following priorities. Continued improvement of our customer service and permit transparency. We've been making working on making a lot of changes to the online permitting system for the applicant and for us
inhouse. So almost daily either our department or another department well like let's just say recently the ADUs the first step in the process is it needs to have a new home house number created. So Allan Bishop in
engineering's in charge of setting that number. So he's like, "Well, how are you going to communicate to me that we need the number? We're not going to be emailing back and forth." I'm like, "I think what I'm going to do is have permodize create
a button and it isn't just for ADUs, any new home, but new commercial building that doesn't have a street address. It'll just be a new street address request button. I'll hit that and it'll send it to the town engineer and you and
now you'll know that there's a request to come look at that permit and take action, figure out what you have to do, and then they'll kick back the number. uh ongoing staff training and certification to stay current with the
state and national code changes as the local building commissioner and the local inspectors as as well as the plumbing, gas, and electrical. They we all have to maintain a certain amount of hours per year. And if we don't maintain
that, our certifications are taken away. And then actually you just get a letter from the state saying Michael's C credits aren't good. You got to relieve him of his duties. I can't stand this in the position without those uh continuing
education credits. I'd also want to work on something I think that would be beneficial is to get the two administrative clerks trained as what's called a permit technician, which is this a certification through the
international code council who basically writes and publishes all the codes. But that would hone in their skills to not become a local inspector, but to get close on certified on understanding the
zone and more and exactly what paperwork and documentation we would need. right now they just answer what they know but this they would know as much as we know on what's required for documentation and the whole process if they have to go
somewhere and I think that would really be helpful. So I'm looking into that. I've already reached out to the IC regional coordinator and I want to see if he'll either over Zoom or come in person talk to us and Bill and Kina,
they've already said that they'd love to try to do it. Um, I'd like to continue strengthening our collaboration with other key departments and boards to ensure all team members are aware of what's going
on before, during, and after any given project. We have a lot of new faces in town, including myself, and it takes a lot of time for everyone to get on the same page and figure out the processes uh between the
departments. And we have we have and continue to gain ground. I actually think we're doing really well considering how many new faces in the various positions that some haven't been here that long, but we're
really trying to operate as a team and just get the operator as efficiently as possible so the applicant has a smooth riding trip through the permitting process. uh proactive enforcement to address
safety concerns before they become emergencies. So we actually recently I think it's one of the Baker Chocolate buildings former somebody called with concern. So one of the two connecting buildings has a deck
over the river and the deck boards were rotted. I think part of the land might be in Dorchester. So the Doorchester side made them put up big iron gates so no one could access the decks. Ours was wide open to the
residents and anyone walking off the street could fall into a twoft hole. I'm like, if they ever fell the velocity of that water, they'd be in wherever that river is headed in 10 minutes. So we
immediately I'm like found out who's in charge. We need barricades immediately and like within hours that was resolved. But if that especially with the good weather, kids or someone could have went out there and just fell through the
rotted huge holes and we just took care of that. So things like that trying to jump on something that's serious immediately before it be does be becomes an emergency.
uh some recent successes I think right when I started I wasn't sure uh me being in other communities every community operates different so I wasn't sure what if uh liability and workman's
comp through my what we had so I found out we had both and applied for one of their grants they annually have one that you can get up to $10,000 and me not knowing if any other departments applied, I said, I'm not going to go for the whole 10 grand and
upset some other department that had planned on utilizing it. So, I just I went for 2400 and got awarded that and I used it to buy state-of-the-art hard hats with eye protection and hearing protection for
all the staff that go out on inspections out on site. So, that was a good thing. We had some. They're usually I think OSHA only recognizes them for like five years, then they call them. What? No matter if you wore it once or a
million times, they just UV light and whatnot, they consider them. So, if we were out there with those and a workman's comp claim happened, something may happen cuz that hard hat was technically out of service. So now we
got stateofthe-art which I didn't know till I looked into it that they actually the hard hats now they look at all the various sports and hockey football and these things got built in to protect
your brain from getting dislodged. In the old days it was just if the bricks fell it kept you from getting hurt but they got all this high tech technology built into them. More recently, I applied for the Massachusetts
Community IT Grant and put uh I put in for the full 200,000 and they awarded me 130,000. So, what I want to do with that is digitize. We still have a bunch of file cabinets.
Some are in the office, some are down in the basement off the break room that there's been some water issues. That's actually what started it. The week I started, something happened with one of the heating units that leaked over the files and ruined some stuff.
And that second I said, "We got to get this stuff digitized." And that got the wheels in motion. So, I think we're going to do the building department, all of the zoning board of appeals, all the conservation,
some of the board of health. Who else was on there? planning board and I put in the grant because I this will be the third time I've gone through this process. I did it in two other communities. It's
very hard to the scanning company to know exactly how much it's going to be. So, we'll scan either to the 130, which I don't think it's going to be, but I put in the grant. We'll scan what we can. If there's not enough money, we'll
deal with the rest later. If we can scan everything and there's enough funds left over, conservation has been looking for funds to get the permodized conservation module. So, I put that in the grant. If
the funds are available at the end, we're going to pursue purchasing that system for them. And then that I already touched on this, but probably multiple times a week, we're
always tweaking the building permit system and just trying to make it easier. Uh, in conclusion, the inspectional service department remains a cornerstone of public safety and regulatory
enforcement in the town of Milton through professional staff, consistent application of codes, and cooperative engagement with the public and other town entities. The department supports safe development and protects community
well-being. The department appreciates the continued support of the select board, town administrator Nick Milano, all of the town departments, boards and committees that we interact with on a daily basis. We remain committed to high quality
service, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of the town. That's it. >> Thank you very much. Comments or questions from members? Mr. White,
I'm glad you had the time to come here. It sounds like you don't even have time to do this. Plus, you brought news that we got a lot of new people moving into this. So, this gentleman back there, the fire department, police, they're going to
have a busy time. I don't you usually have like the same cop, you know, buildings come in. >> There are some that are regular customers, but we have a lot that are that aren't. >> No, I know. But when I did my house over
22 years ago, I used a local guy. Yeah. >> Everything went so smooth. You know, he went up, gave him the per got the permit and building inspector said, "Go ahead, start it. I have issues nothing." Could see it. >> Yeah. It just went great. You know what I mean? Because they knew the
contractor. You must still have some good contractors that make your life easier. >> I actually they're very few and rare and in our system we can chat and they get the email. I actually commend them and
say, "Thank you for being one of the very few people that gave me everything I need to review this permit, send it to payment, and issue it." that doesn't happen. It's weekly. I probably review
300 of just my pending permits and then jump into the unassigned. So, it's it's frustrating. And that's something else. It's just a catch 22. I don't have the time. I think the chief, you mentioned it that you need we internally know, but
it's not on paper. I need to do the same every permit. this is the minimum requirement as the homeowner and add this if you're the contractor for every permit and then have that when they
apply for the permit that pops up maybe 50% will read it and the other 50 don't but that's 50 that maybe will get ahead >> but I commend you and your group I don't know how you do but frankly I read like a month and a half ago the Armstrong
development they have a company going to come in and do all the inspections for this town. Kind of wish we did that with all these big projects. Have the projects pay for this inspectional service to make your life easy. I just don't know why we didn't do that. >> It's a good idea. >> Huh?
>> Did they So they >> Armstrong that they're going to do 780 units and there's a they had to hire a a professional >> the developer hired professional >> to do what we're supposed to do. and the request we would literally have to have a site trailer there and just never
leave the site. We could l literally do that. >> Yeah. Would you have like an over the shoulder look for what they outsource be doing? >> They're all construction control, but I never hang my hat on that. We go some
things are small and repetitive. I'm like, we don't need to go look at this >> detail 92 more times. We're going to spot check it every two or 3 weeks. The more serious things we're going to look, but I've seen in the short time I've
been here, some projects, one of them in East Milton Square is the best managed project I've ever seen in my life. Then there's other ones that when I started, I didn't exactly know what projects were going on. and Jay took me around town
and we went to one of them and I was scared to death that this was under construction control and the the issues we picked up just going to for me to see what the the project was all about. >> We talked about that one. >> We talked about that one.
>> But I commend you. You do a lot of work. I didn't realize that. 21 new homes being built. >> It's unbelievable. Yeah, use >> all these big 40 beats >> and the question is just so the other
problem I usually like I barely leave the office there's so many permits I try to re we're mandated on time 30 days to review them and issue them once we get everything we need so that I'm mandated
I'm not going to get fired or in trouble I might with you guys if I don't return a phone call or an email, but I concentrate and try to get every single permit that's under uh my purview. I start at the bottom. If they gave me
what I needed, I can move it to payment and okay, it's to issue or some of them they don't respond. Can I get an update? Everyone I send them a message ready for payment. We're still missing this. You haven't
responded. So some of them I think in 8 or 9 months there's probably been 15 that never responded. So I have 30 days. When it gets around 60 days I issue we're going to consider this permit
abandoned. You're not producing what we need to review it. We can't review it. And then the next week if they didn't respond or give it to me, I put it into the cancel denied. and that I'm legally covering myself and
I'm giving them double the legal time, but I can't keep reviewing 50 permits that they're never going to and keep wasting time looking and chatting and nothing's happening. >> Your group's self-supporting, right?
More than self-supporting. >> Yeah. And then >> you know what? More than it costs us to support your staff. >> Oh, yeah. So that's another thing that I'm hoping maybe next year. This year everything was short track for me
because I came in late and all of a su and everything everything's new. I didn't know y budget process. So that everywhere I've been has been an issue. So we can never predict. They may say the economy is tanking and then all
of a sudden, all right, we got 10 more 100 unit 40Bs coming in and it's July 2nd. Budgets just got issued. So now we're trapped. We don't have the funds to react. So what is um something I was
just wondering when when I was listening um to your presentation? Is there is there like a industry standard for like a ratio of like workload to FTE in like the I don't know there's actually
>> municipal building inspection Bridgewater and that was maddening me that I could not >> I went all the way up the chain to the state to the IC. >> Yeah. and no one had like a minimum
staff and I said there's got to be some kind of broad matrix to govern this and there isn't. So I think the international code council the northeast uh representative said the only way you
can do it I don't know you guys is it ISO certified there's a certification that police fire and building can get it so they said that was the only path they would come in you got to pay them I
think back then it 20 years ago it was 10 grand they shadow every employee in the department for like a month, >> figure out your deficiencies, give you a report. So that would identify >> 10 grand, >> you're in trouble. You you got way too
many permits versus people reviewing it. >> Then when you thought, which this could take money >> that you resolve the issues, they would come back, shadow everyone again. >> Yeah. >> And then certify that you're providing the best public ser service for the
building department. So I wanted to do it because at the time no Massachusetts building department had that certification. >> Yeah. >> But like Vegas other department Vegas runs 247 their building department. It never shuts down.
>> So I have so I have another industry question. The these types of processes fascinate me and I'll try not to keep us here all night. Richard's like dying right now >> but like I'm like just getting going. So >> is uh
And I don't want to I don't want to get us on a crazy path here, but just what I'm listening to and I work in transportation. We do a lot of permitting. We do a lot of reviews. So, do you have any thoughts or does anybody
talk about AI in this space like developing like simple chat bots to like load the zoning code into to like help support the review work like helping the staff get through things more quickly >> and I don't know if we have an AI policy
like I'm looking at Nick and at Darren >> I kind of I'm leerary of it now I think it should evolve more we've actually had residents coming in saying, "This is legal. Here it is." And I'm like, "Did you read?" It didn't say anything until
the last page. Milton, New Hampshire. That's their regulations. >> Yeah. So, I I re I really think it's great how you're um you're investing in the staff like you're looking to get their their permits, you know, better
safety equipment. I think all that stuff is really important when you kind of have a small staff, a big workload in terms of keeping them motivated. But it might be some it might be something to think about. Um how how can AI be a tool? Do like do you guys you guys have
co-pilot, right? Is it turned on? >> You might be able to to do something small and like >> actually zone and code digital and searchable. So, I actually use that a lot. That'll get me if I'm not exactly sure what section something's in. I can
just hit a keyword. >> It'll bring everything up. >> But one other thing I'd like to Nick and I I think actually I brought I forget his question when he interviewed me and I said the only solution that I can
think for that and this is going back to the uh budgetary constraint. So in Bridgewater we had massive it just out of nowhere huge thousand unit 40Bs coming in multiples
and we didn't have the staff to keep up with it and every all the contractors were getting upset which it's kind of a delicate balance and I think we're unique department because the people that are they're paying us for a service
and then when you can't provide it so pretend and you're going down to Sullivan Tire to buy four new tires. You pay for four tires and they only give you three. How are you going to feel? So, in Bridgewater, it came to that and
we just weren't getting any grinds. Like they said, it could happen. July 2nd, budget's done. Now, we got to wait for another budget cycle and pray that we can pitch what we need. Maybe we do. Then next a year later we get the money.
Then we got to interview hope to hire. It could be a couple years, three years before you actually got that person that you needed. So in Bridgewater, the town manager agreed. I actually showed him that's in layman's term one
of my uh administrative budget books that I was certified on to be the commissioner. And he read it and he's like, "This makes sense." And so he created a revolving account. By mass state law, we can't be an enterprise
account. That's truly how we should be operating it. The we just totally run off the permit fees. I think Hopkin is the only community that I know that was doing it. But Bridgewater, the manager said, "We'll start with 25% skimmed
off." And he let me get the staff I needed, which I didn't want to. Hey, we got a grand work however many hours and the money's gone. I waited for each position till the whole year's salary was built up, then said go and the fund
would continue to grow so I didn't have to lay people off if things slowed down or whatever. And that was working and he was going to go to 50% if that were go to 75. But
that took care of we would be able to react instantly if things were going bad and we needed the help instead of trying to hire outside people and just well whatever if it could be outside people but have the funds to be able to react
and deal with the situation. >> Mr. Wells. So, kind of follow up on this because a lot of people will come here and they'll say, "We don't have enough. We're not doing anything." And I been following these projects. Tonight's the
final night of nine years. Yeah. It's like we've done so many projects in the past nine. Like you you summarized on so many of them. First one that I did was North Woods and then Coleman Fathers and then the ICE and 131 Elliott which was a huge that
was a multi-year people don't even realize how many parties but my point is is there a because I know Walter leaving is a big void for you. Is there like a company you could go to if you can't find someone to hire that you could
bring someone in like one of these companies that subs out? You can just get like a person to fill hours for you just to help keep you from sinking in the work. >> Yeah. And we do have Walter's position.
Actually, it's posted internally and we'll see what comes in for that. We may be able to find like another inspector that may retired and wants to just work a few days a week, which would be good because they'd be trained and seasoned.
a rookie off the streets is going to create even more work for us. There's so many facets to this job to train someone on all avenues of it's going to take years. >> You're not in the breakdown lane here. You're running on the high speed lane every day and there's no time to like
put the training wheels on a bike and say, "Okay, here's how we're going to go." >> So that's why I'm just thinking how you could get someone >> I mean Walter has many years in this field and >> actually fill that void. fortunate that everyone in the department is certified as commissioners. So that's an even
bigger and they've all had commissioner experience because there's a major leap from the local to the commissioner and for them that they were able to help you guys when the previous commissioner left they got to interm take over the
helm. >> We know Mr. Chair. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments from Mr. Dailyy? >> Thank you not only for coming for the work you've been doing uh with all the growth we've had. I think the building
uh department can get lost in that you guys have to execute on a lot of the these new developments. What I'm kind of picking up a theme in what you're saying is uh help in the workload and the efficiencies. And so to member Wells's point, how can we help
you while you are doing all this every day, but also thinking ahead, how does this how do we even make this more efficient? You talked about uh the tables also training of your staff. Uh perhaps there are some technological uh tools that we can use or perhaps products that have been created. Maybe
it's not an answer for this meeting, but that's what I would like us to think about is where can we help you to make things a little bit more efficient and lessen that workload while you're doing this at the same time. >> I think working on a tuneup on the zoning would be huge cuz there's
contradictions. There's like just say for a shed, one page says it's 20 feet, go to the next page, it's 21 ft, and we don't even know which one's right. Or you'll read literally 15 pages of a use
and go to page 16. Oh, if it's in this district, forget everything you just read. But a lot of this a quirky I don't know how it was put together. if there was an original base code and then his new bylaws got passed like I know we passed
probably 10 or so or close to 10 recently are going to be passed >> if they just tagged them on and like didn't >> see if they drived with the existing sections and then created some conflicts within >> I think on we've talked about uh
investing in updating those codes >> yeah I think and Carolyn from um KP can speak to that as well. But we are we did the budget 27 does include money to work with KP to tackle some of those issues. And I know that works already started between Mike and and Liz Manning, the
planning director. And we did uh put $50,000 in the building department budget for the next year's budget cycle >> to enable adding of ours kind of where Mike sees as necessary. So they're small things, but they're tweaks that we can continue to make in future years. And
then as we get through this wave of projects, evaluate what the proper staffing um needs to look like permanently. >> Waves plural. >> Hopefully waves, but we'll see. >> Well, Mr. White, we've taken up a lot of your time, which is, as we know, very,
very precious. >> Same here. I think I was supposed to be 10 minutes. I may have went over this. >> He'll be calling you at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. >> This is really important work and and we're glad that you shared everything here. I know that um You know, there's definitely, I think, a few conversations
that'll come out from this. So, okay. Thank you very much. >> You, too. >> See what you guys have to say. >> And next on our agenda is a report from the office of town council. We've got
attorney, attorney. >> I I thought coming into tonight I was very busy, but after hearing Michael's report, I >> think I might need a >> You're a slacker. Yeah, exactly. >> You hit try and up the owl, right?
>> Well, thank you very much for having us. It's a pleasure to uh be before you tonight. So, we appreciate the opportunity. Um, for those of you who haven't met Carolyn Murray, Carolyn is doing a lot of the land use and zoning issues uh for the town and has met with the planning board uh on several
occasions. >> Several occasions. Yes. >> And Michael as well. >> Yes. Absolutely. Um it's been a really good trans smooth transition for us. Um even smoother than than we expected and you know we obviously come into cities and towns before and gotten to know you
know the unique attributes of of what makes Milton Milton. Um so you know we're used to that but it's really gone very well and I you know I I think um Nick and uh a lot of the department heads for really making that transition easier. Um, I think right from the the
get-go, uh, Nick did a great job of sort of catching us up on the the pending issues and the issues coming up. So, we were able to hit the ground running. Um, so that was really helpful. And I think very early on I met with almost all the department heads. So, it was helpful too
to start to put the names of the faces and everything. So, that that was um, a real assistance. I think, you know, one of the first issues we faced pretty early on when we took over was we had fall town meeting coming up. So, I think we hopped right into sort of finalizing
the warrants and the motions and there were bylaws to be reviewed and um I think we you know uh the approach you had in place was really helpful. you know, we had pretty I want to say early on meetings, but certainly meetings enough advance of town meeting, you
know, with members of the Warren Committee, with members of the select board, uh with Nick, with um several of the, you know, uh involved department heads and we were really able to sort of go through the warrant and identify a lot of the issues and then I think
separate meetings between Nick, myself, and the town moderator. You know, you never know exactly what's going to come up at town meeting, but you try to give yourself the best odds possible. And I think we were able to identify and anticipate some issues that were going to come up. And that was we
were able to really kind of put a little bit of a strategy or an outline in place and identifying the issues, you know, quickly at the beginning of the town meeting. So, town meeting would have a pretty good understanding and I think that helped things go uh pretty smoothly. And obviously now we're uh
getting ready for the annual town meeting and I I know Nick has pretty much the same process in place. I think uh Nick, myself and the moderator are meeting on uh on Friday. Um so you know we've obviously reviewed the warrant and the motions. Um so everything is really
going well from our perspective. Um I think that uh you know our goal uh right from the start has really tried to be very responsive um and to help you and provide the legal services in the way that u that you want and that helps
the town. It's you know we are not the policy makers. We don't make any decisions. We advise advise all of you on how you can accomplish what your mission is for the town. Um I think Nick and I have had really good communication. So make sure that you know any of the questions are responded
to uh in an effective and efficient manner. Um as far as the uh majority of some of the uh the town council work beyond you know town meetings and the everyday general
issues. I think you know looking at the bills um a lot of your issues have been as as Mike just went through some of them enforcement matters. We do have some active litigation with enforcement, but you know, there's been board of health enforcement, zoning, building. Uh
we've definitely had some work with general contract review, procurement. Um especially early on, there were some major real estate and trust issues we were reviewing. Um as with any town, open meeting law, public records, conflict of interest, uh law issues have
come up with, you know, community preservation and and you know, municipal finance issues. Um, and of course, and I'll let Carolyn speak to that, you know, zoning and land use has been pretty big, especially with some pretty, you know, big potential
zoning bylaw changes have have been significant amount of work. But I I really I'm happy to answer questions after Carolyn uh gives us a small summary of the zoning land use, but I really thank everyone and um congratulations to our two outgoing board members. I'm glad we we got to
overlap even if it was only for a short period of time. But thank you uh for, you know, allowing us to make a such a smooth transition into built. >> So um Carolyn Murray and I'm very happy to meet all of you. I haven't had the the pleasure to meet any of you before.
I've spent a lot of time with your planning board and with your building commissioner over the last several months. Um I'll apologize. I'm still getting over a cold, so I'm still dealing with a cough. But um I I do think um Michael gave a
great presentation in the sense that he covered all the things that I was going to cover in terms of things that that we've been working on. I mean, it we can't say enough adus ADUs, ADUs. Um, I think every community in the
Commonwealth when they got their letters back from the attorney general's office, um, approving or partially approving their ADU bylaws, they were all at least 10 pages long, if not longer. And they felt the need to
reiterate all of the goals and purposes of the law and remind everybody and counsel them that how they have to interpret things a certain way. And um sometimes I think I long for the days of you know not that long ago where you used to get like a oneline letter from
the AG's office saying you know article 13 has been approved. It just made things simpler because now you get a lot of questions and I've spent a fair amount of time um working with both Michael and your planning director Liz Manning as they try to work through some
of that or or some of the nuances of well when the AG said this what did they really mean and what does that mean to us? Um, and of course I think they've uh if you've got 21 new ADUs coming in, I guess the AG would call that a
successful ADU um program since that was part of what it was designed to do. So, one of the other things that um you approved at your last town meeting um was some changes to your site plan approval bylaw as well. So, I think one of the first projects I worked on with
your planning director was updating the site plan approval regulations so that everything was consistent and that procedurally it it flowed and complied with state law. And so, I happened to be the planning board meeting to discuss
ADUs and discuss site plan review. And uh the chair of the planning board and I have to say I think you've got a fabulous planning board. They are very engaged. um chair of the planning board said as I was getting ready to leave, "Oh, and we have this other little thing we want you
to work on are signed by law and I'll I'll apologize in advance for the length that it takes up in your warrant and I'm sure the questions that is generated throughout the process. Um, but the good news is is that I think it
was originally 7 27 pages and we've cut it down by about 10 pages. So, we considered that progress in some ways. Um, but it did also open up, as the building commissioner was mentioning, things that, and this is not unique to
to Milton in any way, things that are just sort of missing or unsaid in the bylaw. Um, because as we were working through the signed bylaw, I think right now your current bylaw might have a whole three pages dedicated to signs.
doesn't say a whole lot. And you've got your sign review committee and what does the building commissioner do versus the sign review committee versus the role of the zoning board of appeals. And it was a little bit of an eyeopening experience working with both with Michael and Liz
who are also relatively new and everyone's trying to find their way and figure out the process. And it it's somewhat humorous to realize, well, the practicality of how this works isn't written down anywhere or isn't reflected
in your bylaws. Um, so I did have a conversation uh a couple weeks ago, I think it was with um the planning director that yes, you folks are looking to do um a rewrite of your zoning bylaw,
and I will get something to you next week. I promise. um because they do a lot of work with other communities who sometimes want to just take the whole thing and throw it out the window, but that's not terribly practical either. Um we've got to kind of figure out how do we break this down into what are the
most pressing things and how and and how much of an appetite does town meeting have? Um, you know, I've been to some town meetings where a planning board can present, you know, 135page repeal and replace of a zoning bylaw and
it gets passed without a question. And then there's other town meetings where someone will slam the warrant down on the podium like it's the old phone book saying, "Have you read this? It's 135 pages long. Do you understand what's in there? I don't understand it. If I don't
understand it, you can't understand it. Vote it down." and you think there goes six months worth of hard work that's just been, you know, flushed down the toilet. Um, so we're going to work really hard to try to identify what is that sweet spot from a town meeting
perspective to slowly make these changes, but do them in maybe say two or three phases so that um you don't get all upset at the advertising and the cost of printing and the warrant. And um
yet you have a good much more userfriendly document in the end. So >> certain no more political signs. >> Definitely more political signs. Sure. >> Sneak that in. >> Yes, we will sneak that in. >> Save us all a lot of money. >> Too many.
>> I know. Know it's amazing that you know when you when you think of other types of developments and then say why does a signed bylaw have to be 17 pages long? Well, there are a lot of issues in
>> like I said, not unique, but I I do have to say it was a very thoughtful process with the planning board considering you don't want to hurt existing properties. You want to be a little more business friendly, but you don't want to be too
business friendly. Um, there was there was some good debates at those meetings. >> Thank you. So, uh, I think we're we're phasing into the Q&A, uh, portion of the presentation. Any members? >> I'm good. Thank you.
>> We only have like 28 issues on the agenda. >> I appreciate you saying how good the planning board is to work with. >> They're fabulous. >> Thank you. Uh I well I will just add as chair that um Darren, we worked together at the uh
last uh uh town meeting and um I I found you um to be excellent on the spot um you know and uh I've heard nothing but positive comments from across the town uh about our transition to KP. So I think that's something that this board
did that we can feel very good about. Uh and I'm really excited to have you guys as our partners. Well, it's a joint effort and I think we've received a lot of cooperation from from obviously the town ministry's office and all the department heads and the other boards too. So, it's been as well as as
obviously your board. So, it it all all works together. So, thank you. If >> I could add, Mr. SH just just that >> um obviously any kind of transition is tricky but they've made it easy and I think as as Mike can attest the it's a
new experience for us to have many points of contact within a firm but it's due to the different expectations and experiences and knowledge bases that folks in the firm have so contact for code enforcement I mean he turns around
letters within was literally >> same day return on a letter that's ready to go, been reviewed, good to go out the door. Contracts, same thing. I think that was a place where MHL excelled and we've seen no drop off at all um in the transition to KP. So, having those um
in-house experts that now we can turn to. Um it's a little bit of a different system for us, but it's working really well. Um department heads I think are when they need access. I mean, uh, Sue Galbin, whenever she has an elections issue, Lauren Goldberg responds very quickly and with a very detailed and
informative response. So, I think that just goes to show that the firm has been an asset for us and um, it's been working really well. So, just wanted to make sure the board was aware of that from a kind of day-to-day level. Appreciate that. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Wells. >> Just one comment that you made me think
of when you talked about gold. >> So, as you know, this was a big change. >> Yes. in my professional 44 decades there only been one change and that was 30 something year 37 years ago but there
was a lot of letter that was written by attorney Goldberg two members of the board at that time that I thought was very very impressive and very much supported the reputation that I knew she had and that very much helped you at least I think helped some help me I
think helped some of the other members of this board make the decision we So, if you I've never seen her sense, if you could convey that to her for me, um I would appreciate it. >> I I definitely will and I know it was a a little bit of a unique interview process, but but I appreciate uh the
board, all the select board members keeping an open mind and uh glad the way it worked out. >> So, are we Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Have a >> great evening. Congratulations again. >> Just enjoy the next chapters. Yes. >> Thank you for your service. I think I saw she came out.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> Radar ears. Um so our next item seven is the sorry item number six application and I believe that we have Chief King and Chief. >> Yes. Chief if you could join me please.
>> Yes please. >> So >> Mr. Milano. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, as the board's aware, we have been um working with our um police and fire partners in Quinsey regarding an analysis of uh regional dispatch. Um so,
just at a kind of high level, I'll I'll do a couple of kind of overview points and turn it over to the chiefs if anything to add and then obviously questions um from the members. But um this work's been going on for several months um originally with a feasibility study through the column center um as
the state is encouraging communities to analyze regional dispatch and is putting um grant money behind an initial feasible study feasibility study as well as development grants and operational grants. Um with Quinsey's new public safety building, they have the space um
to transition um to a regional dispatch center. So they were looking as well for a potential partner. Um so the process would take advantage um of grant money to support system replacements and improvements, infrastructure replacement improvements, as well as grant money to
get the dispatch center off the ground and um continuing grant money to support um the dispatch regional dispatch center financially. So, the grant application that we're preparing is about $11 million in equipment, infrastructure, software, um, upgrades, replacements
throughout both Milton and Quinsey, and then, um, money for salary. So, it's about a $12.5 million total grant. Um, we do also have a draft intermunicipal agreement between Quinsey and Milton that we are seeking to have included with the grant application, which would
be be seeking approval for this night, tonight. Um, so I think you know the other thing is this is still a work in progress. Um, if the grant is unsuccessful, we will obviously not move forward. If the grant doesn't fund everything that we've applied for, there's going to be a conversation there
as to is this still the right time to to move forward or not. Um, and homework for us in terms of the transition of Milton Dispatches into the regional center. um understanding exactly what gets funded and fully understanding the long-term um grant funding that's
available for this uh for the dispatch center. So with that kind of highle overview, I'll turn it over to Chief Matt and Chief King for any color commentary, additional information you'd want to share. I think this is a tremendous opportunity. Uh I was skeptical joining with Quinsey where
it's a bigger department but um meeting with the Quinsey leadership uh meeting with the Quinsey fire chief and their their support and the Quinsey police chief um we've been given an equal seat at the table and to discuss everything. So you know obviously Milton Fire is the smallest department of the of the uh the
three of the four I should say. Um and we're given an equal seat at the table to discuss what our needs are. Um, so it's been a tremendous uh experience so far for me and uh I just think that this is an opportunity, it's a great
opportunity to really see where we are and have the opportunity to look at our dispatching the weaknesses that we have and you know what can be corrected and where we can move forward in the future. So, um, I think it's it's a great
opportunity. >> Just basically what's already been said, I I I don't want to get too bogged down the wheat only because I feel like this is really a step one process, a lot of time, a lot of months, Chief Matt and his staff, my staff. Um, a lot of research, a lot of planning, but at the
end of the day, it's only step one. We're just applying for the grant. I don't want to make a big deal that is I think you know question one is how much of a grant you get if any and then only after that would we maybe have you certainly have length of conversations
and delve into like should we do this how do we do that I wouldn't go there yet because I just think it's meaningless once you get granted significant money but there's a ton of pros Chris pointed out there's ton of things in materials this some concerns you got to address and I think planning
address any concern always. So I just think we should move forward. It's an opportunity. It's not a done deal. So to speak >> questions or comments from the members. So my my question was, you know, what the chief
just mentioned, you know, how does Milton sort of how were Milton's interests uh protected in like a situation in a context where we might be sort of the smaller guy? Um,
but also too, I can see from like a resource perspective where like if we're if we've got these grant funds and these additional resources, we could stand to really benefit from that. Um, and I guess you know can you
provide like a specific example of like you know like yeah just like a specific example of a situation where we might reap greater value from being in this type of a situation versus on our own.
I I right off the bat I was just checking emails and the Motorola grant is for $2.9 million and that will upgrade the infrastructure the radio communication infrastructure for both departments. >> Mhm. >> Without this grant we have to pay for
that ourselves. >> Okay. >> I mean that right off the bat is just >> just I hope that that is basic. You know what I mean? Without really getting into the weeds just looking at fat. >> Yeah. I mean, I'll give you an operational one. >> Yeah. >> Um, you know, we run like usually
depends on the shift, but on overnight, we run one day. >> So, if you're on the phone because your baby's choking >> Yeah. >> there's no one else in that room, >> right? >> So, one of two things happen. That person either gets put on hold so they can answer another 91 call. >> Yeah. >> Or if that other 911 call keeps ringing,
it rings five times, it already kicks to Quincy. >> They are our backup. We are their backup. >> Okay. >> That's the way it's done. So it's kind of a natural partnership. People might not know it. We are already in doing this with Quinty. They're considered when they close their communications for renovations, >> we dispatch out of our building for
Quinty police and vice versa. >> So this is just making it more of a routine regular everyday thing. >> And do we get like more dispatchers as a result? >> So what would happen now? Say that scenario this happens. You can have, you know, when you have a car accident, you don't get one car. You get about 30
cars because everybody driving by. There's people trapping the car with it. So that dispatcher, >> you know, you might have two or you have one. >> They have to feel all those calls because they don't know it's the same call, an unrelated call. At the same time, they're trying to dispatch the radio. At the same time, they're calling over to the fire department on the
phone. It's just there's delays in response times. They get abbreviated information because they don't have time to get all the information because they're rushing to the next call. So, it's great in the quiet time. call comes in. But here you're going to
leverage like the odds of us having those major incident at the exact same time Quinsey is is less likely. So you're always going to have that extra and even if the both you know fire departments are busy maybe the police on. So you're going to have the dispatchers on the police can do fire both cross train. So you're busy in four
departments working all four up straight at the same time. Yeah. So you're going to always have bulk of dispatchers that while you might be responsible for Um, you know, say Quincy like tonight might be a Quinty police assignment. You know,
John might have, you know, Quincy fire assignment. Cody might have built police assignment, but if he's on the phone and his appointment now, you would pick John. You're all in the same room. You're all communicating. You're on the same.
So, I think that's the operationally, but I think Chris is still right on the >> Okay, >> Mr. Everybody seems to be going on this a regional dispatch, right? Get modern, get all kinds of, like you said, it could be three different things going
on. They got plenty of help to help out. Know what I mean? So, I see a no-brainer if you two chiefs are very much in for this. I'll back you up. You know what I mean? >> Thank you. >> Two of the experts.
>> I got another question. If there's if there's like a say, you know, everybody's all in right in the future, we get all in with Quinzy. Um, if there's if there is like a dispute or like a resource challenge
like what's like the governance process to resolve any of that? >> So, there's a there's a board the board be chief and fire chief of each department which is four and then there'd be a director of the communication center. So, that's like a five person operating committee. >> Okay. I'm done.
>> Mr. Wells. >> So, I'm going to go down a little bit different road and I've already talked to Chief and Nick about this. So, for full disclosure, as Chief King knows, I spent 10 years on the governor's interoperability committee as well as the statewide interoperability committee under both the Val Patrick and the Baker
administration. So, in that time, we stood up two regionals. It's not as there are only actually I think two in there's only one in North County, which is the one in Fox, but it's actually a regional. Clober's not really a regional in that aspect. and Randolph and Brainree as you know were just about to do it and it fell apart and it didn't
go. So the two important things here that for the members who are going to be here need to understand three for as many years as I can remember and someone dials either a 698 number or 911 number getting someone in the town
of Milton that knows the town of Mil from the town of Milton answers that phone regardless of whether it's a normal business call or a critical crash on Randolph A. If you remember after 911, the city of Boston approached us, every town that touched, every city in town that touched
with the concept of doing a similar thing about police. And one of the things that crushed it was first was a lot of people did want to give up on I look no further than the lady sitting on that corner who who probably this city runs probably one of the most modern progressive in-house
911 systems that exists in the state of Massachusetts and has been way before we even do it. Second thing is more for you on a financial matter is and this has been the issue with some of the regionals is you get the grant money when the grant
window dries up. State 901 is great about oh yeah here you go on year one or year two and then three years from now because this is going to be a much you see the money you're you're buying from for grant absent the capital investment the cost is going to be blown by the two
communities and that is going to fall to you is a higher cost than you pay today and that's something those are two critical things you have to think of because if you and you can tell me if I'm wrong if you do this there's no coming back from you're not you're not going to go backwards and take it back.
So, you really need and I read the column report and I I've done an awful lot of these and I think the Hangingham the Shrek and Hang was hanging oh what Cohasset and they were the first and it took was supposed to be I think it
started like a $1.9 million grant and by the time we got them open they were like 11 million. So those are things from a financial point of view that you need to really be cognizant of >> as well as notifi as well as the residents of this town knowing that when
they dial 911 >> it's not going to go into their community. Well that's people don't realize but when you when you see when you read after actions you read feedback from communities some of the biggest things they talk about. >> What's the do we have? >> You're creating an own entity. you were creating correct I mean it may be I
think it's a little different than the hanging one >> there's two different ways >> but you're still going to be they're not going to be an employee of the town they're going to be an employee of the system right they're not they're not going to be town employees anymore and the final thing that I want to say and I talked about this last week when Mr. My heart was here. No kidding. This
since 1985, the whole emphasis on diversity has been that cadet program. And from that chief sitting right there through the all the way to the bottom are products of that cadet program. And you and I talk about this today, Nick. You're going to have
to think about how you're going because it's going to tell me if I'm wrong, you're going to have to dramatically shrink the cadet program and find roles for them outside of some of the dispatch roles they have. And that's that's a critical thing because one of the
problems he the chief Madden has with not having a cadet program is where's he going to put them? He doesn't have administrative roles. Am I correct to put them in? can't he can't hire fire cadetses put them on a piece of apparatus and the police department by statute on the statute police cadetses in the communities of Cambridge, Boston
and Milton are allowed to work in an administrative role from the age of 19 to 25 years of age. And that that is one of the biggest things and I said this last week to Mr. Hod this town ever passed and most successful. So I'm not going to go on anymore about it. I don't want but that's something that for you
guys being here you need to think about. There's a big there's a tell me I'm wrong. This is a big step. >> I'll say you're wrong, but I think things have evolved a little bit. The issues today is most of my dispatches today I know that >> residents who aren't familiar with the
town. The kids from wayment from local they're driving 25 miles you call out they don't know where it is. So that issue exists today. The cadet program valuable program. I was a cadet. I believe strongly in it. But the cadet program now with alternative pathway
hiring true civil service that one-third of cadets counts as 50% alternative pathway. So you still now have a mechanism to get diverse higher into alternative path highway that really is incorporating if you use that cadet program you're going to only be able to
do another 17% through that anyhow. So either way that number really didn't change I feel. Um, I know what you're saying about the cost, but even if you go longterm, it's not a 50/50 cost. It's based on population and cost of service. So, you
know, we have >> still more than you're paying now today. It's going to cost you more than you're paying today. >> I don't think either one of us could say what it's going to cost in five years. I mean, there's a lot of variables that go into that proportion of cost is about 80% 2020.
I I'd just like to add that right now the fire department doesn't really have a dispatch center or system. We lost dispatchers back in the 70s and we haven't done much with it since. We we work with PD and we work with the dispatchers now and it's an ad hoc
system. This will actually finally get the fire department to have a real a real system without a major cost to the town. I reached out to Hullbrook North for County Control when I became chief and they quoted me about
$250 to $300,000 to dispatch just for the fire department. They couldn't enter that that that grant at the time because it's the PAP and everything falls in the PAP and that's what the state is interested in. So for us, for for the Milton Fire Department, it's a 100%
this is a no-brainer. Something has to be done without dispatch centers. Mr. Milano, you want to add something? >> I was just going to say like to to Mr. Wells's point, there is a significant support and incentive grant that this regional center would count on through
the state 911 program. So to be clear about what the risk is, the risk is as more regional centers form, >> that pie gets shared with more regional centers. So okay, >> in year eight, >> like for year five under our forecast,
we'd expect about $2.4 4 million in grant money that will offset the cost of Milton and Quinzy, we'll be paying drastically less for dispatch in that year than we do today. Now, as more regional centers form, does that pie get shared differently? Does the
regional center get impacted? Does the regional center add another community that maybe more money comes in? So these are the kinds of things that move around. But the risk that the grant funding support that this center is um going to get in the near term in terms
of an annual operating um support grant is if that starts to go down then more costs shift back to Milton and Quinsey. So like there's a big upfront grant money and then there's annual recurring grant money. You are you given or do you
have the opportunity say if it's an 8020 split do you know at all times like does the information get shared with you what the total cost to operate the regional dispatch is and what Milton's share is
without the grant funding >> yes that' be part of the budgeting purposes so that you know it's never >> a surprise or if we had to exit the arrangement we could. >> Yes. And likely it would be a matter of
>> we see that grant support declining slowly. It rather than going away all at once it would be more like okay Denim and Kanton formed a regional center. I don't know just throwing out two names. So now we go from 2.4 million to 2.3 million just using kind of in those examples. So like that
>> would we would likely see it we'd likely see it as gradual. And then also making sure that the regional cent's costs also don't um go up faster than they should as well from a management perspective. >> It doesn't necessarily have to go down. >> It doesn't necessarily. It's just in that that is that is kind of the risk
where this the budget on a budgetary conversation. The reason it saves Milton and Quinsey money is because of that state support. As that if that state support were to go down or go away, costs come back to Boston and Milton and Quinsey. Maybe we
don't save as much, maybe it costs us some money long term. That's kind of pro prognosticating deep into the future that we can really report on right here today. >> Yeah. I just reminded there's a lot of variables like you know wouldn't be all those costs like building you got to
factor in like you're still paying significant costs today to have communications and staff and when they're not your employees there's health care costs there's pension costs there's a lot of variables that you would have to factor in. So, >> and we aren't liable for the other
employees health care or pension costs. >> No. >> So, you're going to >> Oh, yeah. So, I have one question. So, I just just to this is for the board to try and give you an analogy of how from the inception how 911 was. So, you know how we've tried to struggle with from
you know acts how cable that the subscriptions to cable have been declining. So 91 was created enacted in Massachusetts by by creating a 25 cent fee on every 401 call that supports infrastructure. That's how 911 runs.
>> Part of the reason 911 is pushing because as it is now, Chief King is a the proprietor of the PAP in Milton gets a 911 grant every year that comes from that money. I ask you this, how many of you dial 411? So
the fact that 411 calls are almost gone away, that money has dropped significantly. So for for for um for 911, it's smarter for them to try and push regionals versus let every single I mean where we passed the 911 legislation
in 1994. That's how it's put. So >> Mr. Driscoll and then Mr. Dailyy, >> would there be any like stipulation that you'd hire Milton people? Um yeah, they're interesting because they'll need the dispatchers still need them.
>> So that's not ruled out. Milton, >> no. Every current dispatcher that wants to certainly >> we can move over. >> I don't want to say is it civil service? >> It's not civil service. No, but we would expect them to apply and they want them to apply. We've had those conversations.
I know, but if you enter into this, could you say to the city of Tundi, could we have at least one person from Milton in that room at all times? >> That's something that we could work out that the board that Cheesecake was talking about. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we could definitely make sure
>> Richard said people don't know from the city quity no roads. I don't even know roads in this town anymore. >> Well, I understand that. >> It's scary if you're saying that, John. I'm saying today we don't necessarily have all the single building. No, I know >> that doesn't exist today.
>> Mr. Dailyy, did you have >> Yeah, a lot of my questions will uh will be better after this grant is received or not because it's more about operational execution and the local impact as well. I just wanted to point out on Megan uh member Heert's point
about exiting. I'm assuming that this agreement is going to be somewhat ironclad. Are we putting in expected to be for a number of years? So, so it's five years we can withdraw even after this grant with 60 days notice for any reason. If we were to go into it, you're
talking a year and a half, two years away. Even if a building call in that could be building, we could still get out with a year's notice with 60 days prior to them answering single call. So basically next two
years. >> Mr. Wells. So just one final point and most people don't even know this exists. So as far as your existing infrastructure, both of you, you know, big blue, who's going to continue to pay to maintain those or
you? >> So the grant will come in and then we get funded on our proposal like upgrades to make sure they're basically good. But if in x number of years, we don't know for sure if the sustainability grants you could get that. If there's not, but the way it's
written is mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu mil bu milin maintains the owners their structures quinty maintain structures the communities liable for the others. >> So you got to keep your radio maintenance agreements in place. >> Yes. >> Right. Okay. Because that's like I don't
see them be nice to get if I were them to get like big blue alone. Big blue is one of the premium places to have infrastructure and we've been there since. But that's people think it's just like this phone. You know, the phone only works because the infrastructure, the radio systems only work because of the infrastructure. From Milton's point
of view, we have some of the most critical infrastructure points in metropolia uses Big Blue and uses Rashidi Drive. So, we have those those key sites already. And, you know, when you look at that, we still maintain those sites, but
this grant is going to upgrade all of our radio equipment that's on those sites. So, um, and I know Quinsey, one of the things that Quinsey was talking about was piggybacking off of us onto those sites as well, just to increase their their, um, coverage. And, um, the
other thing about it too is, you know, I have a radio vendor. Police has their own radio vendor. This will actually get us under the same umbrella. You know, a couple years ago, we were actually piggybacking, they were piggybacking off of our frequency. And, you know, our our contractor really doesn't know much about their system.
their system doesn't know much about our systems. This will finally get both of us on under the same umbrella and work together to have a state-of-the-art communication center. >> Well, it seems Mr. Walls, you have another question. >> Thank you. Thank you. That's said enough. >> Um but so uh to me it seems like um
we've got joint consensus from both chiefs that this is a good idea. Um that the grant application doesn't actually tie us into anything and we can continue to have these discussions. Um, and you know, who knows what the technology will look like in another 30 years. This will
probably be all outdated again and and people will be talking about it. But for certainly for now, it seems like uh a wise uh at least uh look at an investment. So I will entertain a motion if I >> I'll make the motion, Mr. Chair, apply for the grant. Second.
>> Okay. Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion >> and to authorize execution of the IMA, the intermunicipal agreement? >> So the the formal motion of Mr. Wells will accept an agreement is accept an amendment is to move to approve the application for a grant for a regional dispatch center with the city of Quinsey
and an intermunicipal agreement with the city of Quinsey for regional dispatch. >> What you said? >> The second to agree with that. >> Second. >> Yeah. >> Well, we're all here in person so we can vote the normal manner. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. That's unanimous. Thank you, Chief. Appreciate you. >> Thank you very much.
>> Lyn Hley. Uh item seven uh we have our update discussion update approval of East Milton Fire Station RFP and appraisal report for Mr. Milano. >> Uh thank you Mr. Chair. Uh we included all the materials again in the packet. Turn it back to the members for any
questions, comments, requests around the RFP or uh from there >> questions or comments from the members. >> So what are you going to do? Tell us what do you get? So there's a lot of
interest out there. >> From my perspective, we've crafted it to allow for the building to remain as a requirement to prioritize kind of more of an active use than an inactive use. Um so unless there are
requests to alter the RFP, um we're prepared to release it with the board's approval. I'm um if you want to do it as our last thing, I'll make a motion tonight to release it. >> Second. >> Second. I didn't have any I didn't have any amendments to it. Just see what the market say.
>> It looked fine to me as well. So, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. All right. That's unanimous. >> It helps you go. You know, you got to you know, you'll have something >> time will fly by and that's the only reason time will fly by and be crystal
and you look like what? So item number eight is discussion update approval of Milton policy statement expression of values and um I I'm you know as chair just to point out we didn't see um the documents until this afternoon which Mr. Milano I know you've got a lot of other things on your
plate um and given that Mr. Wells and myself will only be on the select board for another week or so. It feels to me like this might be uh an item that might be better addressed by the new select board uh in May unless folks did have a chance to go through all of the
materials and have thoughts about what they would like to have. >> I did not. So I I would >> I think I think this is uh best handled not at a transition moment. >> I agree. I I would also suggest that it could be a good um item for your
discussion when you have your retreat. >> Yep. >> Um so >> make a motion to put it on the agenda for the retreat. >> Thank you. >> Um so we'll just go ahead then to item number nine, housing product housing production plan advisory committee
composition charge term appointments. Mr. Milano. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I provided a draft of this. Um what we had talked about was having representation from the affordable housing trust, the planning board, and the select board, or rather having members appointed by each of
those boards as part of uh an advisory committee to help manage the housing production plan and and monitor um its implementation. Um so our our consultant Karen Centerborg did inquire about whether um it would be worthwhile to
consider additional representation whether it's from the Council on Aging, Milton Housing Authority, the Board of Appeals um or the Community Preservation Committee. Um as additional potential members um so what I've drafted is really just um a membership of six
members. two appointed by the affordable housing trust, two appointed by the select board, two appointed by the planning board with one-year terms. Um, so really open to comments on on how to tweak this or if folks think we're in a place to start um requesting applicants to it for consideration while we
finalize the charge and composition. >> Questions from the members or comments? >> I'm always a little nervous about appointing an even number of people to something. Do we turn into a want to wait and let the new board do it. I I don't I'm fine either way. I
don't >> I might recommend that we try to figure out a way to do it so that we've got an odd number of appointments whether that's um somebody from conservation or some somewhere else. Um maybe we get, you know, figure out who that is and then um I would circle back to the D
board. I I I'll make a motion just to add an additional member that that future board before future board determines where it come. Let them let I don't want to try and take >> I think that that
>> so that gives you that so that way you don't have an even >> maybe I'm just wrong here on the language. It says two members appointed by. Was it not two members from our original? >> I left it as appointed by in case you do choose. For example, the select board
could appoint a select board member and somebody else or or just two design or I left it so it was kind of to be determined by the board. Um if the expectation was that it was going to be members from each of those boards of committees, we could change that. Um,
>> I think that was the I will maybe some for us to double check as well, but I thought this was to be members from each body. >> That was the idea on any board. They can do designates if they want. That's what happens a lot. >> Yeah, I I think I mean it'll be up to the select board in terms of who it
wants to appoint. If somebody on the select board feels like they want to be on this committee, then I would assume that the other members of the select board would respect and then appoint a second member. So, I'm okay with the language as is drafted. Um, but if you would like to
make a motion to change it, we can certainly entertain that. >> Maybe we have a motion to change, but I think this needs to be clarified with the other bodies because I'm pretty sure the planning board and the AHT was looking to appoint members from their from those bodies
>> from the AHT makes it would make sense. Yeah, they wouldn't have a designate, but at the point for like school committee select the electeds I would imagine if they want like similar school building committee, right? We have a correct we have a
member and a designate. >> Yeah, it's it would really I can check in with them to to verify they >> were going to split costs and also split the seats. >> My inter Yeah. And I could have misinterpreted what I just thought that meant was like the appointments of the seats would be divided by the three
groups. Not necessarily that would be explicitly members of each of those boards or committees. Um but we can tweak that and then uh bring that to the meeting in May. >> You saying you like being out five nights a week? >> Oh, you want to be on more nights a week? Is that what you're saying?
>> That's the job. That's the job. >> So it sounds like Mr. Maloney, you're going to do a little more work to this. Mr. Wells, do you want to withdraw your motion then? >> Yeah, I'll withdraw it. Yeah. So that's fine. I was just trying to I was just trying to >> I appreciate that >> address what you were talking about. >> Make sure we didn't leave a motion on the floor. >> Yeah, I'll I will draw that.
>> Um Okay. So let's move on then. Item 11, sped specialization fund policy. Mr. M. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, a draft uh policy in the packets. Um this has been something that's been in the works on the school committee side. Um so with
excuse me the planned appropriation into the special education stabilization fund at the Maytown meeting the school committee and select board members at through the Milton budget coordination committee meetings had talked about having a policy at least in progress um that would explain how that money would
be utilized. Um, so this is a draft that's been shared by the school committee that would um explain how they would what costs would be eligible, how they would bring those costs to the school committee to the select board for approval for withdrawal and then set um you know minimum funding for it and talk
about processes and how to um then add additional money to it uh once and if that's necessary. Um, so I if there's any comments or questions from members, we can work with our partners in the school committee to address those. Um, I just wanted to keep the kind of progress
moving and report as to what the status is presently. >> So are we looking for a motion tonight or not? Really just >> we're not we're not just checking for temperature. >> So to that extent, does anyone have a temperature that they would like to
report or questions? We've put in a lot of work so far on it. >> This has this has a lot of comments from >> we've gone back and forth a lot. We've worked we've worked a lot with the school committee, finance committee.
>> Sounds like you have the green light to continue to move forward with this. Mr. M. >> So, this is just the language has been discussed, tweaked. It's really governance around how we use the special education fund every year, how we fund it. Um I don't think we've really left any gaps in here. It still will be
reviewed by the budget coordination committee and the board committee as well. But >> so it's a high level game of tug of war. >> Most people pulling in the same direction in a good way here. >> All right. >> I think yeah I think it clarifies a lot of things and gets us past some of the
concerns about using the special education stabilization fund. >> Okay. Well, with no other comments, then I'll move us along to item number 12, fiscal year 27, budget. Mr. Milan, do we have any exciting updates? Did anyone win the lottery?
>> No news uh right now. Uh we're just getting ready for town meeting. >> Uh item 13, speaking thereof, annual town meeting warrant, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. I think we've already approved. Is there any anything to report on the warrant?
>> Uh no, the warrant is with the printer. Um hopefully it will be printed and mailed this week, so folks should start to see it arriving in the next week or so. Um it'll be up on our website before then um and elsewhere. Um so um everything's in progress on the town
meeting one as well. >> Okay. Uh item number 14 uh is recognition of service of outgoing select board members and new select board member transition. Well, is somebody gonna sing a song for us or
something called the cakes and >> do I get to keep this name plate? >> Sure do. >> That's nice shining recognition. >> Um, >> should we say nice things? >> You're welcome to member Driscoll. >> That's all right.
>> I'd rather working with both of you. >> Hearing a grievances. >> I'll get them. What is the poll? Um, it's been a pleasure working with both of you. You know, >> thank you for giving your time. >> People don't realize there's a lot of
time behind this and I appreciate everything you have done. >> Well, do you have >> So, I'm not a fanfare guy. Um, there's anyone that's I think there's no one here that would remember, but when I retired as chief in 2017, I >> I remember that
>> went to lunch on Tuesday. I went to I told my secretary I was going to lunch and then I called him on the phone and said, uh, I was scheduled to retire on Friday. Said, "Car's in the driveway. I'm gone. Good luck." Um, but listen, this is a little bit
different than that. Um, today is the culmination of 41 years of service to the town. 32 in the police department and nug board. And I I I just think about how much things have changed since I first got here. Place I never
wanted to be. There was just three of us. And I look at it now and and just I reflected thinking about the building commission's report like all those things happen in the past nine years. And that was a lot of work to to make those primary just hearings and complaints and anxieties and
apprehension. But for the fellow board members that I've served with over the past nine years, those are things that we had to take on. And I'm very appreciative to all each and every one of them when I first got here with Katie Carlin and David Burns right up to the five of you now. Um
02186 is the commonality amongst all of us. This is where we live. This is where we call home. And um I just have to say a few things that I'm especially grateful to all the employees because they're the nuts and bolts that make this town work. And for me um the fact
that they've put in and the residents who put their trust in me to be in these positions, it means everything in the world to me. I mean, you give up a lot of things in my life. I've seen a lot of bad things and I've been through some really good things here and some really bad things, but
very proud of that. And my dad walked across Dorchester Bridge from his house by Walter Baker Chocolate in 1949 after just getting with four of his brothers coming back from World War II. 6 months later he went to work for the
Milk Police Department. And this year, next year will be the first time since 1949 that Richard Wells was not unemployed by the time. And I I was shocked when I I said this to Nick the other day. I was like cuz I used to laugh at my father. He did 40 almost 44 years and I used to laugh at him when I was a rookie come say dad I'll be gone
so so I'll be gone so long before I even get near to that and and here I am now but I just but there I'm very grateful to him and I'm especially grateful to all the town administrators and um particularly John Cronin who
listened to me more times than I can count trying to get here and as my own father said to me years ago he goes the town administrators is the most important person you have to work with and that was right for me as as a union person as a deputy chief as a chief and as a select board member right up to Mr.
Mono and that's um a key thing and to everyone who's my my wife I can't even talk about just being there I'm just Mr. falling well like I don't know why I should say here but God bossa um to everyone who supported me Kathy Pig and
but the the last ones I want to thank um is something that came in my career 20 years ago that I never ever expected and John Drisco will know this was when I was asked to join the cop foundation
and people don't know what it means for a group of six that me twice a year and looks at every single issue affecting this town without telling anybody, anyone. Saturday night, we gave Milton
Hospital a million dollars. That's a second million dollars this year. No one knew that was coming. Not even them. 20 something million dollars in checks made payable to the town of Milton in those 20 years. And that to me, they'll
kill me for this, but I'm so proud of what they do in such a private private way. In the 20 something years I've been on that foundation, only five applicants have ever been through the door of thousands of grants that we have
given. Five. And so to that, I say that because a lot of people will hear the name, they know it, they'll see it, but they don't understand what an important entity is in this town. And I'm so humbled to be one of them. So that's it.
And now on to my job that I love State Rep. So thank you. I know that was a little lengthy and thank you. >> No problem, Mr. Wells. Um, I made remarks earlier uh about uh leaving and um you know I I uh I I want to echo what
Mr. Wells said. Um just very very grateful to Nick uh and Lynn, Cody. We didn't have too much time to work together. Uh but um you know that the town staff is just top to bottom excellent and we're very very lucky in this town uh to have the people that we
do uh and the jobs that that they're in. Um, I feel like the three years that I've been on the select board have it it feels like 41. Um, we've seen a lot of a lot of uh changes, a lot of transitions. Uh, some good moments, some bad moments.
Um, I I feel like the community is on this really great trajectory at the moment of coming together. um trying to tackle problems as a whole. And I hope that we continue to do that because I think more than anything in this world
where and I've I've said this as the reason that I'm leaving is because the the current federal administration has made my job much more difficult over the last year and a half and uh I have to be um out of town now a lot more than I used to be. Um and so in in this era of
uncertainty, as Mr. Well said, we are all in the 02186 and we need to make sure that we remember that, treat each other accordingly uh as neighbors uh as the people who ultimately when push comes to shove are going to be next door to you.
Um so I I'm so confident in member Wells, sorry, member Wells, member Daily. >> I'm confident in member Wells in his continued work. I am I'm very confident in in Mr. Mr. Daly, Miss Hagerty, Mr. Driscoll, and their continued
stewardship of this. I'm sure they will provide a uh a warm and good welcome for whoever comes and is lucky enough to sit in these seats. It is a big job. Um it's a job that I might pick up again in the future if the world changes again, which
it probably will. Uh but for now, I'm I just consider myself very lucky to have been able to represent the town for the time that I did. So, thank you very much. Good luck to you guys because change will happen and it's going to be in two weeks are going to be totally different
and just like when you came here going to have new faces walking the door and the most important thing is that is to get the residents trust to have them trust you and realize that they matter to you and when they will email you and
call you and come and knock on your door that's and that to me those are the things that I carry so deep in my heart We also have new member transition on here and I don't know if >> we're not going we're not going to be there >> to say about that beyond I know that
we've got the organizing meetings on the agenda. >> Oh yeah, sure. >> Yeah, sure. >> Uh as I say quickly, you you are both stepping down, but I don't consider it that you guys are leaving. Um, in the
year that I've been here and the time that I ran for this seat, I know that nothing really happens without the folks who've done it before. Uh, the people that I spoke to, the people that I've uh that have had counsel for me over the
years, the folks that have been here for 40, 50, and 60 years. I pick up the phone when I call. Um, the conversations I've had with Richard, the conversations I've had with you, Ben. Um, even though you guys are not going to be sitting in these seats anymore, your impact is not lessened, right? You're not uh you are not forgotten. You are not gone. You are
still incredibly important to us and fully expect that you will receive calls from probably all three of us at some point. >> You do well at mass house.com. >> And I think that's and that is what um makes this town work. It's the mix of people that have been here, the history,
the legacy, and the folks that come in and want to continue it and add to it. So, thank you both. I will always answer if you call unless I cannot >> I will call you back. I don't >> Okay, I get to go last. Um so I
>> money. >> So um thank you. Thank you both. Um the both of you were two of the very first people I spoke with when I >> Sweet Life. >> Yeah, >> sweet life. >> Yeah, it was like a twohour breakfast or
something. Um, and you were both very real with me and very encouraging and I being one of the new members on the board. Um, I have
relied on both of you uh, you know, for guidance and moral support. I don't know both of now both of you realize like how how flustered I can get. But >> you are funny when you say I'm so mad.
>> Uh, but I it's just, you know, I feel like over the course of a year, we all all five of us kind of got in a a really good groove with things. So, um, it's bittersweet to have you guys depart. Um,
but you know what's really special for me as a lifelong public servant, I know you share the same background and Ben, you work in the public interest doing fundraising as well. Um, it is it is
such a nice thing to be part of a community of people who um get to serve something greater than themselves. And we are really lucky um to live in a town where so many people
care and there's never a shortage of opportunities to get involved and to serve. Um and and both of you guys have just really represented so much of that. And I hope other folks if you're out
there watching this meeting tonight, I know I know lots plenty of people do. Um, I hope I hope that other people will see your example and act on that call to serve that you guys have done. Um,
because it really is, it's such a special thing. Um, and we're so lucky and I feel like, yeah, this is maybe kind of like the mafia where you can never really leave and we will still call you. just when I thought I was out.
>> But um but but just really thank you. Thank you so much for the past year and for your your years and years and years of service. >> Thank you very much. >> Well, now we get to talk about Mr. Milano.
>> Um we have uh >> John did Yeah, John. both great people to work with and I've known Richard for a very very long time. He's done a lot in this town. He's gone through a lot and uh like I'm sure he's
not going to disappear. >> Definitely not. And if I can add, I just like to say that >> um you >> it's >> um >> it's crazy to think three and a half years ago when I started and Richard was the last of that five that appointed me
and there will be nobody who appointed me anymore. So I appreciate the three the you know full three and a half years that we had working together and in the first preliminary interview I think we had a conversation about capital and I didn't know at the time or appreciate your commitment to that committee. So,
we will be one of the homework that we'll have is to figure out who's going to take over that committee and lead that committee hopefully for the next nine years. Um, so just want to thank you um more generally, but specifically for that service. And then just to both of you, >> I you know, we can town staff and our
office and everybody, we can always do better, but I just want to I think it's really helpful when board members are so supportive of the employees. um we don't get everything right, but we try and so I I just you know your vocal support for the staff. I I just appreciate um I just
wanted to share kind of those two points. Um but thank you for the service and best of luck and we will be calling. So um don't go too far vice versa. >> Thank you Mr. Milano. Um but I am going to now turn the tables um around uh
because we have on as our next agenda item uh the town administrators uh performance evaluation. Um I had a chance to meet with uh Carla on uh Friday I think it was. Um she had she had received and thank you to everyone
for in a very timely fashion. I think this is the first time uh since in my three years that I've been on the board that we got the town administrators um evaluations all done by all the members. So kudos >> by July that >> that was uh it was that was circulated
to the members I believe who had a chance to um read it. Um overall um not surprisingly I don't think to anyone um Nick is a very valued member of this town. uh the evaluation was very strong
in favor of of him and his work um with lots of really nice things to say. I don't want to you know read through the whole thing in detail but um really um your your attention to detail uh and your uh responsiveness to the town uh both to members of this board, other
boards uh you know there there are uh so many people who clamor for your attention and you manage to give it to them when they need it and uh it's noted by everyone. Um, so I will turn it over to the members if you had any other comments on the evaluation or wish to
say anything. >> Sorry, I don't usually go first. Mr. Driscoll, >> I only have a short time on the select board, but I had a lot of time before the select board, and you were always very responsive. You're always very willing to help and open door policy.
So, uh, you're a great person. You're so a great person and thanks >> always easier to work with. >> Appreciate that. >> Can't deny his grace though. >> You've had to deal with a lot of really big issues in your three and a half years and I think you've done it uh
excellently for my time on the board. So choking up for everybody tonight. >> Well, hopefully it's just Nick's last night, too. Uh but uh I think you've done an excellent job and I hope you're here in the town for a long time to come. I really appreciate the
work I've done. The last few years of override MBTA budgets have not been easy and I think you've been a a steady um hand at the wheel. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> I pretty much agree with member Daly and
member Driscoll and everyone else, but thank you. Thank you for our first year too. Um because there were definitely things I didn't know that you've always been available and
um also listen to me a lot. Um and yeah, I think I think we have a lot of work coming up in the in the years ahead. It's um I think some of our budget challenges are are
potentially going to stay challenging. Um and uh you've done a great job at working with us to bring everybody to the table and you know run everybody through the details and I think that that's so
important. Um and I want to recognize that. Um, you and Amy and Joanna have really, you know, taken the time, made yourselves vulnerable and walked everybody through that
process. And I think that that's just so important for our town governance and for um getting people to trust government, which is it's really important in our town these days. It's really important in society at large.
And um you know on the topic of public service that that takes a lot of bravery um and I'm really glad that we're going to get to continue to partner with you on that. >> It's like a group hug. >> Yeah. >> Mr.
>> All the feels tonight. >> It's a one point. This isn't a criticism, but we've said this I've said this a lot. I think I kind of capped it in my comments is and I probably learned this from my own father just about public service is that
you got to go out and be the face on others to your fly your flag. Go out, walk around the business, meet, let them see you and see your face because one of the key things that is it's it's easy when the hot it's it's easy when it's the easy things. It's tougher when it's
the hard things and when you've already developed that positive relationship when all of a sudden you hit that big bump on the road like you've seen just the issues of just the projects we've gone it's it's go do it and and then lastly Lynn just to thank her for
everything she does >> I will take a motion on the uh evaluation of the town administrator >> make that motion >> second >> so motion's been made to approve the town administrator's performance evaluation and second it. Um any further discussion race? No.
>> All in favor? >> I. That's unanimous. >> Um next up, uh we have discussion approval proclamations celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day. Uh as someone who feels very strongly about the environment. Uh I think we can wave the reading of both of these proclamations
if the members see fit. Um and just make a motion. >> Second. That's your motion. I second it. Move to approve the proclamations celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day. >> Second. >> Second. >> Motion's made and seconded. Any further discussion? >> The Earth is very important. As Artemis
reminded us, it's a fragile blue dot. >> These are important celebrations to recognize. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Great. Um, we have uh an amended. Um, thanks uh Mr. Moleno for getting this back on the agenda. Uh, discussion
approval one day liquor license. Um, I will take a motion on this. >> Make a motion to approve the one day Oh, no. I can't make this. I'll make the motion then I'll abstain the vote. So, I'll make the motion to approve the one day Lucky License. Um, Lindly Sheridan from Milton Musicfest. We are Milton Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June
21st from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Field. >> Hold on. Hold on. >> Um, did I did I >> We specifically changed the time for Sunday. I think we approved the Saturday time. >> We pulled it off. >> We I thought we approved Saturday. >> We didn't approve anything. We didn't approve anything then.
>> Is Saturday also four to 10? >> Yeah, they're both to me. >> She said five, but I think No, it's four. Four. Four is the time. >> Okay, great. I just wanted to make sure we got it right. >> Oh, good. Yeah. Thank you. >> So, a motion's been made. >> Seconded. Any further discussion? >> All in favor?
>> I abstensions. >> Uh, town administrators report. Mr. Milano. >> So moved. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. White. Uh Michael already explained that we have a part-time local inspector position that we'll be posting. Um we
will also be working we have a we are looking for a clerk for the uh community preservation committee which would be uh much more limited hours um if somebody's looking for just um minimal hours for um staffing their meetings, helping manage their meeting agendas, meeting minutes,
uh CPC applications and that process. So, um, a a very low part-time type job in terms of total number of hours, but it might be something uh nice to to add if somebody's looking for something small. Uh, and we're preparing to post a position in the for the planning board admin assistant that will um also go out
there. That'll be another part-time position for somebody if somebody's looking for something um part-time. Um, and speaking of community preservation committee, I think I said this the last meeting, but the eligibility application period is now open. Uh we've been starting to talk to town departments
about applications um from town departments, but um members of the public have started. We I think there are four applications in already. So if you're interested in in seeking funding through community preservation committee, those eligibility applications are due May 29th. So you have still decent five to six weeks, but
please submit. Um and information is available on our website. Uh and we do had another retirement to report. Um, Delroy Butler is retiring from Milton DPW after several decades of service to the town started
>> and always um shows up to every event um shows up for every opportunity to work additional hours. So, uh grateful for the many years of service and congratulate him and wish him the best wishes on his retirement >> and that >> I had it in front of me. I will report
it before the end of the meeting >> 25 maybe it's all I don't remember the day you started >> um and then I should have mentioned this during the budget discussion but um the warrant committee chair did report that the warrant committee talked about the long-term projection and having a policy
regarding the operating budget stabilization fund and having a discussion with the new select board about long-term override date. So, I meant to mention that earlier, but I I'll work it in the town administrator updates. That's what I have, Mr. Chair. >> I can do
>> um and we'll seed back to you as soon as you figure out how long Del Roy's been here. >> I have to find my name. >> Um for the chair's report, I don't have uh much uh other than um I Saturday the 18th um at the Blue Hill, there's going to be a uh special event uh for Earth
Day. It's you get to climb to the top of the Blue Hill. There's they're counting they're expecting hundreds of people to do this. Um, you'll touch an LED light and give a testimony about Earth Day. If you want more information about it, go to bluehill.org. Um, sounds like an excellent event. Miss Lana, do we have
an update? 37 and a half years. >> All right. Um, any uh reports from the members? Anything? >> Um, public comment response. I think we kind of already done that. Our future meeting schedule um organizational
meetings will be held April 29th and 30th. Mr. Moleno, >> I the three members who will be here. >> Yes. >> Do either of you do you have availability either of those nights? Do you have a preference? So this would be just to select uh chair,
vice chair, and secretary. So the >> the 30th is what works for me. I can't do the 29th. I think I think the 30th is what would work for me as well. We can do Zoom if >> if necessary. >> Necessary. Yeah, I think either of those
are fine for me. >> Okay. So, we'll plan on Thursday. >> That's the Thursday. Yeah, >> Thursday evening. >> Uh thanks. >> Okay. Um so that's then organizational meeting set for April 30th. Uh town meeting dates as a reminder May 6th uh
May 7th, May 11th, May 12th, May 13th. Uh and the select board retreat uh is uh TBD uh June 6, 13th or 27th. Uh future agenda items. I would feel bad suggesting something
there. Um so with hearing none, um and uh I'm going to use my chair's privilege to skip executive session um this evening. Um but we are still going to uh drop into Governor Stoen trust very quickly. So, I'll take a motion to adjurnn from select boards.
>> I'll make that mo I'll make that motion. >> Second and seconded. Uh, any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Uh, so the select board meeting is uh is out of session now and I am calling to order a meeting of the trustees of the Governor Stoen Trust. Um, we have a
couple of items on our agenda. Uh, first is request for funding from the Governor Stoen Trust to Beth Israel Deaconist Med Medical Center Milton campus. Mr. Milano. >> Thank you, Mr. chair. Uh Milton Hospital submitted their um annual request for funding. Um I did not coordinate with
Mr. Fernandez to to join our meeting this evening. Um um he usually will make himself available happily if members uh would like to hear from him directly, but I we did include his letter in the packet with his request uh for this year. Um happy to take any questions.
>> My final motion on this board, I'll make a motion to approve. Is it 20 or 15? How much is it? >> I had it as 20 this year. I can verify that if you give me one. >> I think I already knew. I think I read it was >> So unless I'm wrong, but I'll make a motion to approve >> 25,000 25. >> I'll make a motion to approve 20 of
their $25,000 request from the color store. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion's been made to approve $25,000 to Beth Israel Deaconist Medical Center Milton Campus from the Governor's Sto Trust and seconded. Any further discussion? >> I have a quick question. Um, in my
reading of the letter, I'm I may have missed it, but I'm just wondering what is the do we what is the annual contribution that we typically make? >> It's right around there. >> It's right around had been I think it was 20,000 last year, 15 the year before
that. So, they have adjusted a little bit each year, but it's it's in that ballpark. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh, motion's made and seconded. Uh, all in favor? I >> uh item number three, discussion approval town farm request for proposals proposal from Milton Partnership for
Community Reinvestment LLC. So we talked about this um in our previous open session as the trust um where uh I think there was some hesitation uh around the current um proposal based on the infrastructure
needs that um that the road was facing. Um, and I think this has been I feel like it's it would be good to kind of put a point on this uh to some extent and then uh allow the trustees of the Governor Stoen Trust's future iteration
to continue to think about um how best to use that land. Um so I don't know if anyone has any thoughts that they'd like to share or a motion that they'd like to make. So my my personal position um has been
that if we if we can't um get to a workable model um on this proposal that can also include the infrastructure upgrade.
Um, if we are also in a position to get to eventually get to safe harbor with the existing developments that we have in the pipeline, I'm okay with moving to um
re um either rebid the um proposal or wait for a a more opportune um time to um rethink the site. Okay.
>> You want to suspend it like where it's at? >> I think so. Yeah. >> Nick, did we ever get any additional updates past our last conversation with the developer? >> No. The proposal was that they would as
part of the project um after they get their uh relevant regulatory approvals um from this board um funding and then a board of appeals approval that they would have an engineering firm design infrastructure improvements to Governor
Stoton Lane, but that was the limit of what they could commit to. Um their view was you know if we got it if the project had designed it to that level then it's you know grant ready. So if there was a grant massworks housing works type program out there that might
be an opportunity for funding but they would not have the capability to fund and um directly as part of the project. Yeah, I I think I'd be in the uh same mindset of suspending or going under further review. I think with the changes
along you can't nav um with that 40B development those going to affordable and the rentals which really changes the Governor Stoen setup and us not being able to fund some of these improvements. Maybe there's a
space for us to rethink. We work with Town Farm Thank for the thoughts, Mr. Wells. I I wasn't understand, but I do think for the three of you, >> I think you're going to see something else come to you this year that's going to
in that safe hour can't yet something you >> It's like a psychic seeing the future. >> I think you're going to see something. I think you're going to see something. >> East Milton medium. >> Okay. >> No, no, it's not. It's not East. Please.
You kidding me? Have to move away from East Milton. But I think you might see something that's you know that we will entertain. We'll not entertain but we'll help you. You're you're so close. >> There's one thing like tonight I'm like
in these nine years I I think we were 4.5 when I came to select. Yeah. We're like what? 9.7 now and 9 point like >> they you're right on the >> you're right on the on the crisp. >> Um so to that end, Mr. Milano, u should
we make a formal uh vote to suspend the RFP? That make the most sense? >> I think that it's really to >> withdraw >> withdraw the RFP and and yeah, I think withdraw. >> So I'll take a motion if someone wants to make that.
I'll make a motion to withdraw the RFP for uh town farm request for proposal. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion's been made and seconded. Uh any further discussion? >> I will say just for further discussion. Um I continue to believe that affordable
housing is the right solution for that piece of land. And I think that um given the developments that have been taking place, we can continue. I have faith and confidence in the Governor Stoen Trust to continue to look thoughtfully at that piece of land and make uh developments
as uh as needed. Um it's an important part of the Milton um history. There's some important historical buildings on that site. Uh and it will continue to need attention. Um so motion's been made seconded. I made my comment. I don't
think anybody else had one. Uh uh all in favor >> I >> I >> abstain >> abstension one. Uh okay. Um then we have a we have a uh I'm going to skip executive session. Do we have to go to executive session?
>> No, we're in okay shape. We can approve those. >> Um I would just ask if um you could just review the minutes in case you had any edits, the executive session minutes in case you >> I will make I will review the executive session minutes and if I have edits, I will make them to Mr. Milano and and you
guys will be so informed. Um so uh when we can approve um meeting minutes for February 24th, 2026. All members were in attendance. Is that right? Okay. Um does anybody want to make that motion? >> Move to approve meeting minutes dated
February 24th, 2026. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion's been made and seconded. All in favor? I I >> stay. I would I don't think it was there, so I'm definitely >> I didn't think you were there either, but I got didn't want to contradict. I knew. Okay, I will take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved.
>> Move. >> Have a second. >> Second. Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> It's been a pleasure doing business with you. >> Thank you, Milton. >> Thank you. Thank you, everyone.