Yeah. All right. >> We're going to call this meeting um of the community preservation committee um to order. Thank you for your patience. um all of those online and in the room. Um my name is Tom Callahan. I'm the chair of the community preservation
committee and representing the affordable housing trust on the committee. >> I'm Kathleen O'Donnell, a citizen member. >> I'm Wendy Garfield representing the commission. >> I'm Peter Jackson, citizen member. >> Johnny Russell, vice chair and citizen member.
>> Gerald Tayas, bing board representative. >> Steve O'Donnell historical commission. Robert Powers in the House of Dark. >> Great. And Rob >> and Rob Lee Dash from the parks. >> Great. All right. We have a full house. All nine members are here. Thank you
everyone. Um I wanted to welcome um our newest member. Um for the second meeting in a row, we have a new member, uh Steve O'Donnell from the Historic Commission. Welcome, Steve, to the community preservation committee. And we're very glad. >> And just for the record, we're not
related. Oh, we have two oddals. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, okay. So, it's legit. You're not related. So, um All right. All right. Meeting minutes of November 5th. Um were
they distributed? Did I distribute them? >> Did everybody see them? Nobody saw them. So, we're going to postpone that. >> You did. >> Okay. All right. So, let's take a vote. All right. So, if people haven't seen them,
we can just we can easily postpone it to the next meeting. It doesn't sound doesn't sound like enough enough people have read them. And we have a few new members. Obviously, they can't vote on it. Um but so we'll just defer that.
We'll defer that to the um to the next meeting. >> All right. We have two projects we want to talk about tonight. Um the bicycle wayfinding signage. Jesse Gordon is here. You're first up. So come come on
up and introduce yourself. And um usually we allocate a a you know [snorts] um like 10 minutes uh a few minutes for you to present your project and then uh leaving um a few minutes
>> slides on screen. Um I um >> and if you don't you can go to randolph greenway.com and they're there. >> Okay, we can I can I think I can do that. Um >> but I'll describe it as >> So why don't you start talking randolph greenway.com. Okay. >> I'm Jesse Gordon. I'm a Randolph town
counselor and I did a project very similar to this on the side of the Blue Hills. I'm proposing that we put up wayfinding signs uh on the Milton side of the Blue Hills to lead people directly on a safe and direct bicycle or
pedestrian route between the Blue Hills and the Deposit Green Bay, which are the two nicest uh recreational resources in Mil. Um, what I did in Randolph was put up signs at a few different locations uh right next to the Miller Hills property,
actually on the Randolph side, so we didn't have to ask for the MTC permission and all that in order to uh direct people how we could walk from residential areas to recreational amenities uh in particular to Punk Pond
and beyond. Uh when I did that in Randolph, people even long-term residents said, "Wow, I never knew I could walk from my home to these resources because there's really very bad signage saying the same thing applies in Milton that there's these two
lovely amenities which I use in my daily bicycle to work. That's how the the Ponzi Greenway is a beautiful trail that goes straight to Boston and Blue Hills go straight to Randolph. In between them is the Blue Hills Parkway, which is a very safe and direct bicycle
route between those two. And you know, in the warmer months, I do use that actual route in my commute. And it's it's wonderful. And the thing I wonder is why don't people know about it? And the answer is because there's no signs that say it. In particular, when you're in the Blue Hills, it doesn't say, "Hey,
you can get from here to the greenway." And when you're on the greenway, there's nothing there that says, "Hey, if you go south here, you can get directly to the Blue Hills." Uh you want to click on the uh the link the poweroint link I think is a second link there greenway.
No building CPC presentation on the top go back. >> Y >> So this is uh uh I took some photos of the relevant areas and uh online you can skip the text part. That's what I just
said. Basically uh the first map a couple down is about uh what you would see at the blue hillside. Uh that's the bigger map first. I guess I can talk about that first. Sure. The uh bigger map would be on the Neona Greenway side.
Uh perhaps one right at the Boston border. I talked about that at the conservation commission. There's a little pocket park right on the Boston border. In other words, on the deposit river where it crosses the uh greenway. Um then maybe another at the exit uh
from the Neponi Greenway to the Blue Hills Parkway. Then perhaps another uh summer in Blue Hills uh maybe near the England skating rink which is where sort of Blue Hill starts and maybe another in Blue Hills proper where the uh Chicken Road goes through. And then one one more
a fifth one uh at the what's called exit 3 on Interstate 93. That's actually the Milton Randolph border. Uh there's a little parking area there um and a sign there. Now, the signs that DCR puts up are very uh not pedestrian and bicycle
friendly. They show the entirety of the Blue Hills Park, which is nice to get an overview, but if you want to actually go somewhere on there, you say, well, you got to squish up your eyes and say, what do I do to get from here at exit 3 to uh
say Poke Pond or the golf course or the exit in Randolph? There's no real way to know that. So what I did on the science of Randolph or what I proposed here is to put a big red line that says here's the safe and direct route from one amenity to the other. This is the big
picture from the greenway. So the red line on top on the north side there includes the length of the greenway in question. It doesn't include the whole greenway because there's another half which may propose next year that goes, you know, to the west side of Milton.
There is more of the greenway there. I'm not focusing on that this year. This year is only about the deposited greenway from the Boston border to Matipan uh square and then south along the Blue Hills Parkway to the Blue Hills. That's the one safe and direct
route which is uh a nice route and safe for bicycles and pedestrians along its entire route. Uh so those are the five locations that I just described. I think that I marked the one through five. Um, I did present
this to the conservation commission in September. Thank you, Miss Wendy. And, uh, uh, talked about how one would place the signs. I took pictures of little slivers of concom land at each proposed location. Uh, the concom pointed out
that they have jurisdictional issues, jurisdiction. Anyway, it doesn't matter if it's, you know, a pocket park is the one at the Boston border, for example, is owned by the um the storage company that has the border property there. uh it is the pocket park that is under the
jurisdiction of the concom so it's not a big deal to place a sign there the u the reason I did it on the Randall side of the border was to avoid jurisdiction issues with uh the DCR in other words I put it at the Dunan school which is a Randolph public school on the school
property side instead of on the DCR side you know where I imagine the line to be so I'm not exactly sure where the lines are but that's the idea is that the Concom has jurisdiction as long as it's on the Milton side and what we do on the
DCR side is ask DCR and so on. Uh my proposal at the exit 3 uh was the one descending vote on the concom it's going to encourage people to expand parking there which there is a project proposed by DCR to do exactly that. uh
he was opposed to that project because it does uh interfere I guess with the water passage uh and uh uh you know he was right it does interfere with the water passage expanding the parking there and I went and looked after we had that discussion he's right but that's
that's not my department my department is getting people way finding between the areas not about how do you protect the the water the waterway there by the way is the Blue Hills River and that serves as the border between Mil and Moff I didn't know there was a Blue Hills River.
>> There is a Blue Hills River. [laughter] >> It eventually drains into the not the deposit. It drains to the next one, the next river down. The one that goes to uh Worth the Grand. There's always water. >> Yeah.
It It flows between the northbound and the southbound lanes of the highway. So, it's a little hard to check, but yes, I think it's something. Yes. It actually used to feed what's now the Brainery Randolph reservoir. So they diverted it in order to keep the control
of the water in the reservoir. So I believe it's always flowing if you count a swamp of slope. Uh next down is a little bit zoom in map. This would be the Blue Hills map. This is more or less what I put on the
uh locations in Randolph. And you can see those locations in Randolph. marked six and seven. >> Six ends at the, you know, right over there. That's the Dunan school, one of the Randall elementary schools, and it's a lovely path that you can walk in about a 20-minute walk or half an hour if
you're a kid, directly from the school to the Pontaoke Pond. And where it crosses the Pontoke Pond is the AMC cabins. That's a public amenity where swimming is allowed. Um that whole area, the whole of the pond pond section is
under a proposal from DCR to improve the access in general in particular at the very southern tip where that little kink is. That's called Fisherman's Cove. That's the name of the project is the Fisherman's Cove improvement project where they're proposing to spend
knowions of dollars to to make better parking there. Um the blue hills uh the friends of the blue hills focuses on better parking at all of the locations around ponder pond which this address we would put on to the wayf finding signs. Yes, there's official parking here such
as at location 7 which is a little baseball field at the town of Randolph rents from DCR. Um there is parking there but nobody thinks it's legal. It's legal to park at the Dungeon School on the weekends too and take your horses in which is what all the horse farms around do. They go in right where my sign is.
Um and uh those two sides say it is legal to park here as opposed to making it a mystery whether it is or not. Um on the other side on the camp side which is the golf course that's on the very west side over there marked route 138 on that map. I parked there to go hiking around
the punk bond. I have no idea if it's legal or not to park at the golf course. I think I'd like to put on the side of P if it's legal parking and not a P if it's not legal parking. I've done it for years and I know that everybody who hikes around Bach Pond does exactly
that. Um whether it's legal is an open question. In other words, whether it's allowed by the golf course or just tolerated. I I don't know the answer to that. The other component of the um code project is to make improvements at exit 3 uh to add parking there. That's what
the Kong member objected to. to add a picnic table and perhaps a a portable a porta body. Uh and of course the the signage that I'm proposing as well would be in that same area. Uh a few pictures of what I uh proposed
as the details this map. I presented this idea much earlier this year like in about February to the Nepaza Greenway group. Um there's another project if you go up that trail there which is my commute route to work. Uh you eventually
get to um uh the Rainbow Gest >> which is further along the the Ponty Greenway. There's a new project that opened on July 4th after I took this picture uh which has a a pedestrian and bicycle uh boardwalk I guess you call it
through the swamp. So you don't have to go on Mory Boulevard for about two miles. And that two miles was absolutely the worst part of every bicyclist's commute there. They really did fix it. When I heard that that was coming and saw the construction, I went to the Naza Greenway group. That's the guys who were in the parking lot next to the golf
course and said, "Well, why don't we capitalize on this and put up signage that was the result of my discussion with them." So, they they stuck up the sign on the DCR uh kiosk. There's a dozen kiosks along the Nanzi Greenway. They're mostly empty or filled with
graffiti at best. This was, you know, one improvement. The Nebraska Greenway group said, "We'd like to put up these little signs which are nice, but you know, you have these kiosks. It would be better to have a fullsize sign." Uh, the next one, next slide. There's that. This
is one of the Concom signs. This is near Central A. Uh, if [clears throat] I got that right. Yeah, right next to the Central Charlie stop. I think that's a little sliver of Kong owned property. So, they probably put their sign up. That would be a great place for a sign because it's already owned by the Com. It's right on the trail. That spot is
where the 240 bus crosses the positive greenway. So, it's a a really hot spot, I guess you might call it, for bicyclists. Um, everybody would go by there and see that sign. I think it's a pretty good place for a sign. The next one is another Kong sign along the Blue Hills Parkway. That's actually on a very
large concom property that goes back for hundreds of acres. Uh but that part of the Blue Hills Parkway, if you are familiar with it, has uh dedicated bicycle lanes on both sides and a green strip down the middle. So it feels kind of partway like and uh is really that is
the safe route that I'm talking about. Um that road continues up road directly into the Blue Hills to Chavi is not quite as safe, but it is in the Blue Hills. So I mean I like it and it feels relatively safe. the Blue Hills Parkway actually feels safer.
Uh, next one. This is that little pocket park. That building there is 88 W Street. That's the bigger part of the complex with the Madre Ori in it. And off to the right on the very edge there, that's the pocket park. That's the border of the uh the storage company,
whatever they call that, store. That bridge is the is the border over the deposit river between Boston. That's Asian three. Uh so that um whatever you call that barrier theme uh
is the Randolph Milton border. Uh so there is an existing sign that has the big picture of the entirety of the Blue Hills Park. So it's a pretty big scale and uh that's what I'm proposing is making you know a sign like that one maybe somewhere near that. I don't know exactly where that has more detail
basically. Oh and that's what they're going to expand. If you look there, there's something like five or six parking spots there. That's what the project proposed by DCR is going to do. When they do that is an open question. I mean, I I participated in the discussions for that project, I don't know, three or four
years ago. It could be a long time until they do it. If they do it, great. There'll be more parking there and another opportunity to put in a better sign. I'm proposing something in the internet. Uh, one last sign perhaps. This is the
signage that's actually in the uh Blue Hills near the um uh near Chikata Road and near the ski area. If you read that sign, what it says is Blue Hills Ski Area and uh Trailside Museum. You know, those are things that people might drive to. And that's the sort of signs that
are all around the the Blue Hills is here's where you can drive to. It doesn't say where you can walk to. And actually, from this spot, you can very easily walk across the highway. That's a safe way to do it, too. It's exit 3. You know, there's a little bridge there with sidewalks. You can walk directly to Hotton's Pond here and walk all the way
around H Hotton's Pond, come out right here, but there's no signs that say that, so people don't know that they can do it. And that's the idea. Just put a sign there that says, "Hey, here's where you can go by foot from here, not just by Next slide."
Uh, this is the MBTA property along the Milton Greenway. You know, I'd say a decade or two ago, they put up that lovely mural, and maybe in those days, that was a lovely fence, but it ain't no more. Um, I'd love to put a sign right there on the MBTA property, but getting
the MBTA to do something is a real challenge. Uh, especially along this stretch, this is, you know, the Milton Charlie, which is a bit controversial lately. And you can tell by the state of the, uh, mural that they have not really maintained it very much. Uh just up from
there about a mile north on the Ponzi Greenway there is another mural which they do maintain because it's in Boston and you know I guess they get along better with Bostoners. >> Um this is a picture of while it was under construction. That's the what I would call the boardwalk over the swamp.
Uh just to the right of this picture is the rainbow gas tank. Um, it really makes a lovely commute and I can tell you hundreds of people use it on a regular basis including >> I'm just trying to move along because we want to leave some um have some questions. Yep. Yep. Yep.
>> Uh this is the project I described the fish co improvements. Um this is my existing signs in Randolph which were funded by your counterparts in Randolph the Randolph CPA. Um the way they did it is exactly what I'm proposing here which is I proposed five signs. I proposed some large number of signs and they said
why don't you do five? We'll find you five. You can pick where the five go. That's what I'm proposing here is I'm starting with five here. And where they go is I'm going to leave that to the time basically. And that's what the sides look like. The the key is it's zoomed in and it's got the red marks
that say this is where you go and it has P for parking at the legal parking spot which was the issue that the Blue Friends of the Blue has always brought up as their their key issue. So, thank you. >> That's it. >> Cool. questions from members.
>> Kathleen. >> Um, so where does the where would the funds go? Do we >> Yes, I have a little budget included. Okay. >> Um, I used a sign maker called Lo Signs. He's the official sign maker from the Tamar Randolph. Um, he charges the fee
that's in here, which is something like a little under a thousand bucks for the construction of the map Matt kiosk and the installation, which is, you know, some games of the grand. Um, the Randall Greenway, my group would pay for the artwork, which is what we did in Randall, too. So, we we split the cost. We pay for the artwork, which means you don't have to deal with the artist. You
only have to deal with the one company, which is the I guess he's the official town sign maker. um to >> yeah I guess we'd have to find out whether or not that sign maker works for
I mean whether procurement is for >> who who was who in in Randolph who was the recipient of the funds >> roof science >> roof science okay only >> yeah by group came directly for the artwork so he was the only recipient of
the funds >> you're you're looking for us to give you a grant and you would hire roof or or whoever the town of Milton hires. >> Okay. What was the town of Milton doing? Where branding you f? >> Sure. >> For you to do
>> the roof of Signs is who the town of Randolph has dealt with to do their town sign. So they said use him. So I said okay. >> If the town of Milton says use someone else, I'd say fine. If if you say Rufo's fine, I'll use him.
>> Okay. Rob Rob has a question on online. Uh yeah, I guess my one question is is this fall under like a signed review committee? I guess I'm just curious if we fund this um does does that apply? Does does these signs have to go before
the sign review committee under under the town of Milton? [gasps] >> Good question. >> I have no idea the answer to that question. uh that did you know the same sort of question came up in Randolph a couple years ago and the conclusion was
use the standards that the DCR has defined um which is what we did we used you know their symbology their uh construction methods etc so it wasn't quite a sign review in a formal sense
but that was the informal sign review >> Jenny It goes to the uh the um the Randolph intergenerational community center which has a web page dedicated to you know that spot and I have a different QR code on the different sites.
>> Interesting. >> And then just to follow in terms of the location of these um you mentioned the compound a lot and I guess Wendy the question previous is like how does this work? I mean does the compound have to approve every sign that goes on concom property. Is that how it works?
>> Um if if it is within our jurisdiction, then you would need to go through the formal process of um making sure that we um sign off and permit it. Um and then
at that time we would have more opportunity for any back and forth and addressing any concerns. So Wendy, did the Concom signs close to us during this presentation, were they reviewed by the sign review committee?
>> To my knowledge um and I I would have to double check with Arthur on that. I do recall him um working with the select board, but I don't remember any
acknowledgement of the sign with the committee. >> I don't think it I'm looking at the the bylaw. I'm not so sure that it applies because those are signs in business districts, >> right? >> Um and this is on conservation land owned by the town. So, not quite sure
that would have had the same process. And when so the the concom voted in favor. So what was the vote? Um and what what did you voted four to one or >> six to one?
>> Six to one. Um what was the vote? >> The vote was to support his application to the CBC. >> Okay. That's what I thought, but I just wanted to put that out there. >> More specifically to a commission to assist with the jury where he was running.
>> Yes. Yeah. which is obviously what you'll need. Yeah. >> Well, as someone who doesn't commute but does ride the park to get to the trail and off the trail, >> I do think the signage could be improved. And I and I do think um
interconnectivity across town on our bike lanes even is something that's in the bicycle pedestrian master plan is to improve the connections and to make it more understandable for people who want to get across Milton but also to get to
adjacent town. So I [clears throat] think um that this is it seems a good idea and I'm I'm curious how what what's the feedback then what you put in there. >> Um and the first feedback was who needs this? Well, everybody knows about that.
But the real answer was they don't. I mean I took I took people out who live literally across the street from the Blue Hills. You know there's a big housing complex right on camp. a bunch of people who live there and uh I met up with some of them to go on a hike and they said, "Wait, wait. I can walk
across the street from my home and get to this lake. It's the biggest lake in the biggest park in the States." And they didn't know that it was there because it doesn't say that anywhere. So, that was the real feedback. And I presented that to the Fisherman's Cove
discussion with Bush One by the DCR and they caved in on that. They said, "Yes, we're going to make the entrance to what's called Fisherman's Cove parking area. Better marks because people drive by it hundreds of times and don't realize it's an entrance because there's no sign at all.
>> So I also have you talk with PCR because I know that they're working on a plan to make a better connection for people in Boston to get to the Blue Hills and I thought part of that was down the Parkway. So are you familiar with >> I'd heard vaguely about that. Um I think
it was actually further. It was from the T is what I recall. But uh >> where where you take the Parkway and then you get to the that's the Mapan that's the end of Mapan, right? So >> yes, >> you can get from the trolley.
>> Yes. >> And then the city's working on a plan for re redoing um Google and Zatan where they will be adding the bike lane that should go forward. Right. So you'll be able to get from this path down the
right parkway and continue going. >> My my plan for next year, which is not part of this proposal, is to propose something similar to this for what's called the Mil Park and Ride, which is right off the Depy Greenway and has no signs at all to to get there, but it's a
lovely place to park your car and bike to Boston, which I did this morning, for example. But uh that is I think part of their plan. I I really don't know what exactly their plan is, but uh I'd love to participate. >> Gerald, the greenway connection comes up
Truman Parkway and where it hits Napos Valley Parkway proposals to cross the Parkway and develop instead of going over Paul's Bridge, develop a pedestrian bicycle bridge upstream from Paul's Bridge that makes its way over. There's
still a question of whether it follows Brusho Road or goes on the Pona Valley to get to 138 which would make the Blue Hills connection. So that's that's where they're making >> not. >> So I'm going to um unless there's any
final questions, I think I Jesse, thank you very much. this is um thank you for taking the initiative on this and um and coming to us and making this proposal. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um next item on the agenda is
um Wararf Park and I think there's a few people here. Um so, Scott and team um why don't you just bring chairs up if you're all going to be part of the conversation? Um it'll just probably enhance that.
for everybody. >> Scott, I don't know if you want to introduce your team or and and and uh to get us started here. >> So, we have a 10 time.
So um instead of just seeing my face and some drawing stairs back from you and I don't have the answers to some of the technical questions we brought a group of folks here. >> No question goes unanswered tonight. >> I
[clears throat] um so Jeff Kramer is on the board of New York and he's been part of our steering committee for more than a year now. Um Chris Scalin is the owner of the ice cream chain Smith and he's also a board member of Mil Market. Brian
Paso Antonio owns a landscaping business in town amongst other businesses that he's involved in. Um and he's been providing some of the technical um ideas for or helping us out with the technical side of it from a construction standpoint. You guys know Bill Madden.
He's our our architect on this project. Um and JD Wild is a business owner um in our neighborhood of War and he and Dan Carrian who's owner of Steel and Ry are involved in a in a project right on the corner across from other
parkers as well. So that's kind of the team that's here tonight to pitching and talk about different things and how this park is going to affect >> their businesses, the farmers market, also to answer some technical questions from the
architectural side, side too, >> right? >> Um, >> and I think you have some updates based on the last time we saw you. Yeah, >> sure. just >> and and again I I apologize for YouTube who may not have been involved in the
discussion. Um I'll just do a quick thousand foot look at this project. It's probably a war park rehabilitation project. Um it's been launched at the farmers market for over 20 years now right across from the lock up that I'm sure you're you're aware of. Um and just
based on a lot of discussion that's been going on with the landing um you know the um math plan implementation committee there's been a lot of talk about revitalizing um our access to the water
our only access to the water in Milton and we think that war park is right for contributing to that development. So we Oh, by the way, Scott McKay, I'm a a former park commissioner, a former town meeting member, and I'm on the also
on the board of farmers market and also on the board of friends of motor recreation. So, um, this project started out as a concept back 2223. We applied for a $25,000 grant from you guys to, um, conceptually design what the park
could be. Uh we spent about a year doing that and then came back to you and asked for help with the engineering side of of the PL the development >> sorry Scott all those meetings for 25,000
[laughter] >> well I actually I I went back through and um there were 15 uh public meetings um some smaller and some larger but there were 15 meetings that were held between the select board,
planning board. We have two large public meetings as well. So, yes, we did. We know each other, you know, they each other do that. But um we we went ahead and uh put in an application, got
another 73,500 from the town from CPC to help us engineer the project, get it to a construction phase. Um that was out of a budget of 157,000. So we did some some private fundraising and raised the remaining amount and now we're back here
for year three asking for funding for the construction of the project. Well, I guess just big picture wise, if we're talking sort of like, you know, thousand feet in the air, I have to say that the process that really Scott said
that you've led has been really amazing. I know there's some faces that I've seen in some of the meetings and um all the different types of groups that we've met with, large groups, small groups, um people that had very specific interests. Um it's been a great process. So as a
resident in Milton, um it's been exciting. So just from a personal note, it's been very uh uh fulfilling for me as a professional um and then also as a resident. Um one of the things just
fundamentally uh for this project um that was important to us was blurring or sort of layering the social ecology with the natural ecology of the site. Um and that was a huge driver in a lot of our decisions. Um that we facilitated with
different groups. U you know there are some people that feel like the social side of it should drive all the answers and some people think that the natural side should drive all the answers and we as a moderate sort of personality I think that these things should come together and typically makes for an
amazing site. Um, so this project really was driven when we saw it the first time. Uh, I think Chris and and Scott, we were there and did a little sidewalk. The thing that stuck out was the 88 uh accessibility for the site and just the
overall sort of walkability of the green space. Uh, and that was one of the the drivers for us was like, okay, so how can we make this safe for the pedestrians of Milton and also ADA compliant in terms of the slopes and the surfaces. Um, so that that drove a lot
of the decision- making um for the park itself. And I apologize for you guys. We we didn't really bring imagery to sort of share with you. So hopefully you've seen some of this. >> We're getting them access. So, we had a little technical problem this morning, but um to the shared folder which has
all of the materials. >> Yeah. >> Um so, and we're, you know, we're thrilled with where we've um where we've landed in terms of the design. Um and working with Jeff, uh Brian, and you know, developing the documentation, the
drawings has been, you know, very fruitful. We're really excited about where we've landed with that. Um, and then having JD's voice as well and uh Kyle Harish and uh Bob Gony's voice in this process too in terms of what this could be from a business standpoint for
the town of Milton has been very exciting. So um you know that's sort of where we are right now. Um and I'm you know I'm interested to hear if there's any further questions or follow. Yeah, I was just gonna Scott, I did
distribute the three documents you sent. Do you want to just briefly describe those and then I think we can go right into questions? >> Sure. So, um, some some things that we just wanted to some some we wanted to get some things in writing
to help support the application. So, we came up or through a series of meetings, uh Kyle kind of pushed the idea of getting some of the businesses in our community to help um with saying this is an important
um step into starting some public and private partnerships and projects. Um so, there are four folks that signed it. Brian Pasc Antonio, Kyle Harish again who's not able to make it tonight. JD
and Bob Falcone um basically step forward and said we're interested in helping to support this project in whatever way we can to make that happen. The second piece of information was an an assessment done by um Richard Hunt
Landscaping on the the oak tree that is currently in the middle of um the park. And again, um, it's been kind of the source of some discussion in terms of, you know, can the tree be saved based on
its current state? And also, um, if from an ADA perspective, how would we accomplish creating an ADA space with this large uh, tree and root system that's exposed on the property? So, there's an assessment that that got
distributed as well. And third was um the second letter from the select board. Um as you might recall this this property is select board property um and you know we've kind of step forward to usher this project forward but really
the decision making process um and what to do with this land allow you to select for it. So we wanted to make sure that throughout the process they were involved. Um, this letter is a support letter that that we actually got today, but we had a
a presentation a couple weeks ago with select Ford. That was the third time meeting with them to kind of update them on the process and this is a support that we're going to move with our application. >> Great. Thank you. That's that's helpful. um as we talked about you know because
there's a couple new members of the select board and um that was important. >> Yep. Sure. >> We provided all the document the documentation that we have and what what would be required
and is was there any discussion about any other source of funding besides CPC and capital? I think we have a request, right? >> Did did they um have any other
specific questions on that? But you know, I think you're probably the best person, but you know that question if you don't mind. >> Sure. Um yeah, so one of the things we discussed uh well, let me back up one if you don't mind. So um I came into this conversation as a local business owner.
I own muscle, which is the gym in Atlanta Village. I'm also a proprietor. I own uh some property down there in the village and then I also actually live up in Milton Hill. So this project touches home to me. It hits me kind of every facet of Milton life. Um so when this
project first came across my plate of building Scott, I I became very excited because um one of the things I've been very vocal about about investing down the village and moving is is that I think the Milton Village has an extraordinary amount of potential for placemaking for activation u to improve the quality of life for the Milton
residents. So when we started talking about using that space, there was a really honest conversation about no one even really knows that park exists because it is kind of no man's land right now. So um as we work through those conversations, you know, we get into, you know, how we businesses can
help at a high level. One of the things that we explored as a team was, you know, is there a way that we can introduce um businesses to help fund this and bring in a private um so we we brought it to uh Nick Milano and one of the problems we had is that because it
is uh town uh has to go through the public bidding process. So naturally um a large portion of the funding would have to go through that process. So um one of the discussions we had was can we source the front end portion of the
project with public funds essentially prep the infrastructure and then bring in uh private funds to help the finishes. So essentially invest in the land itself get into a workable site and then partner uh with local businesses u and families in town and people that
want to contribute so that it can be kind of a community project. Um, you know, one of the things I do want to stress, and again, part of the reason why I'm here uh tonight is um I I don't want to look at this park in a vacuum. I think if you just look at it on a piece of paper, it is um a piece of land with
a larger glass performance board. Um it's a it's a very important piece of Milton Village and the businesses down there need uh need growth. They need things like this to help people stay in the village and consume goods and services. Right now, the village is very
transactional. You go to the post office, you grab your mail, you go, you go to the harvester, you grab your condo. Uh someone with young kids, my kids come ripping down that hill on their scooters and we either take a left to steal a ride or um maybe go to Flat Black, but you're in and out. There's really no engagement with the village.
Um, I did bring Dan from Steel and Ride tonight because um, one of the conversations that him and I had early on when I was trying to suggest that he partner over to Elliot was what's possible in the village and what it can become. And uh, that was early conversations about this park and and it
was very clear that [clears throat] as I as I started to talk about the park, as I started to talk about activations for the waterfront, um, I could see his eyes light up. So, I want to make sure that this board knows that this park is a big part of that conversation um and what's possible in Milton Village. Um I think
all the businesses would do better. I think all the residents would have a place where they can go get a coffee, mothers can bring strollers, kids can play. Um and I think as part of that conversation, the businesses are all excited. Would love to be a part of the conversation how they can help as well. So, I don't know if that directly answers it, but um yeah,
>> that brings me to the the meeting that I participated in um with a few of you at Kyle's office where we talked about that what you could do under the um public bid and what you could do separately.
Have you taken a look at your budget, your construction budget and and separated that out? So like this is the number for public bid and this is the number that we could source other funding for. Have you done that yet? >> So we we from that meeting we did take a
step back [laughter] um we did take a look at that um and were able to go through the um the 75% cost estimate. And it kind of that
larger document breaks out certain scopes and we went through that and highlighted well what is an infrastructure piece what would be kind of an additional layer of the park um and came up with a document and I I
think I sent it a manually. You were not physically last meeting but we we did circulate that um I think you're talking about something, right? Well, I have a 75% estimate of
September 18. >> So, basically, this is what we're talking about. I didn't I can share this with you guys or if we can get it on the screen, but it's basically taking this document that says, you know, this is
what direct site work costs are. Um this is what the the additional soft car. So basically CPA and the town would that's the amount of money 1.1 million and in and this again this budget we've talked about this before the 75%
documents come out at 1.5 million. The 50% document were 1.9 million. when we get to 100% we're looking at trying to get this project down to about 1.2 million. So 750,000 would come from um
CPC funding 250,000 from the capital committee and then the remaining 200 250,000 whatever that turns out to be would be public private. So essentially, you know, foundational work would would would cover certain things like, you
know, chaining, wall, handcraft, that type of stuff. But the infrastructure pieces, which would be existing conditions, the earth work, um paving the walkway, um plantings would be would be something that the private end would
be able to pick up and the utilities that um that the site would require would also be part of the town. So, it's essentially the the the nuts and bolts of of creating an accessible space and then all the amenities added after that
be covered by private folks. So when you're looking at getting that 300,000ish out, um I look at this what you're looking at direct site work of 825 300 is a pretty large percentage of that
and I look at where those numbers lie a big chunk in the earthwork and and I'm wondering if you've thought about if there's a way to reduce that earthwork number to help you get there. So rather than the finishes which are the things
that people see uh or something that's less durable um you know is there something that should be adjusted in possibly address the >> earthwork possibly so we've stopped at 75% so we could have this conversation
>> um because we didn't want to blow through our fee and then there's no money left and now we have to start making changes so um I'm not going to say yes because there is significant cut to make the site relatively level for you know compliance in terms of slopes.
Um but poss possibly. Yeah. Um I went I was at the first following meeting and showed a variety of things and the the one that the public reacted to the most I think was your third um
proposal which shows roughly a circle up where you've got it and some of that but it specifically identified preserving the tree as part of that project. Then um I wasn't able I was out of town at the next meeting so I didn't see that
and those were the only two public meetings >> for the first meeting just to to back for the first meeting we shared three options right >> so I'm the the shade tree committee for town so like I love trees and I want to preserve them as much as possible and so I knew in my head I'm like you know
Milton loves its trees so we so I was concerned so I said let's just go chocolate vanilla and strawberry and showed let's clean the site and we're going to make it a level green space. Let's see how everyone responds to that. And then this second scheme was keeping
the beach tree at the sort of the lower end of the slope, removing the oak tree, which is the problem really the one of the issues for the the market. And then the third scheme was keeping both of them. Um so we and then we even talked about sort of the education of different
ways that we could air stain the tree to sort of evaluate where its roots are growing. And at the end of that first meeting that we had there was the direction that was given to us was the group was very interested in scheme two which was the removal of the oak tree
and the preservation of the beach tree. >> That was a nice thing. Um the my concern is I think did you look at an option where you set your base elevation at the
elevation of the oak tree rather than of the beach tree and create in essence the same plan you've got now but you know basically two or two and 1/2 ft higher which would reduce or eliminate a lot of
that wall work. It would eliminate the bulk of the expensive earthwork and reduce the stairs. You know, that could be a half a million dollars right there. >> So, we didn't we didn't look at a scheme
to keep the oak tree because the oak tree is problematic for the site, >> right? >> But we wanted to keep one tree. And so, that was the decision we had to make. So, do we keep the beach tree which is much healthier? And and when I we we walked the site with Doug prior for him
to give us an assessment, he said that his recommendation is, you know, to prune the tree yesterday. >> Uh we met with him maybe three weeks ago. Is that um and so his recommendation was, you know, to prune the beach tree
in terms of livability. Like the the big thing in my mind is like if Milton's going to invest a significant amount of money on this site, we want to think about this in terms of like a 100redyear window. So to design a park that's based
on a tree that's clearly in decline. Um, and I would prefer to preserve the tree that's healthier versus the tree that's, let's say, we can even say it's not in decline, but it's past its prime for sure. Um, and so
we're setting grades that are at that elevation and then we're have steeper slopes down to the parking lot beyond. It just didn't seem that that was the most beneficial in gaining the maximum space that we could get for the park. So
ahead to say something. Yeah. So I'm not a professional in the area. Um I just moved to Milton uh 5 years ago from Boston. And one of the things that drew my husband and I to Milton was the community. And I live at 88 Warf. So I
look right up at Warf Street and I see the park. And people come down that street all the time. necessarily on scooters, but they come down that street all the time and the park is invisible. >> No one stops there. There's no reason to stop there because it's not very
inviting. It doesn't welcome people in. With respect to the farmers market, which a lot of folks in my building love, there's a couple of older folks there and have trouble walking around there because of that um the oak tree and the
root system that's there. So, they can't participate in that. Um, I'm a little embarrassed to say that I was walking in there a couple weeks ago and tripped myself and I've lived there for 5 years. Um, the as part of the board of trustees
for Milton Landing, we have a very vocal group of residents who are very much interested in keeping greenery, making sure that that we have nature outside of our window. But um and I apologize. I was at that first meeting and I can I
recall that the the plan that folks were most um interested in was the one that didn't include the oak tree because it does kind of cut up that whole space. So no one wants to lose the tree. Um, but
it seems like that's a big impediment to making that the space residents want it to be so that kids can play there, older folks can play there or we probably should play too. Um, the other thing I'll mention about the trees, I've had a few experiences myself
where I've sat on that one sad only bench that's right [laughter] and from June to August, the number of carpenter ants that have fallen on me from that tree, it just makes it a place you don't want to spend any time. And so
I think that um, again, I'm not a money [clears throat] person, but I live there. I love the village. I love what's there and I see this park as a way to revitalize that part of Milton that brought, you know, so many
of us to live in the first place. >> Um Oh, well, Rob had his hand up and then we'll go back to Pete and Jenny. Yeah, Rob. >> Yeah, sure. So, um first of all, I just want to thank uh Scott and his team for coming out and I appreciate uh the three
letters that we received today. the the one from the select board um which we've been asking about uh with the new select board support. I appreciate that. Um as well as the letter from the arborist. So, thank you and and thanks to Scott and his team for for putting this uh
project uh forward. Um just a few things that I I guess I have a question for uh Bill and and Scott is, you know, I was out to the site probably, you know, two weeks ago or so to look at this with Pete. [gasps] Um, and one question is is
is it possible, you know, it seems like there's a lot of earth that's getting removed from the site with this project, and is there an opportunity here to save some money by lifting up uh by bringing up that uh the earth up a little bit?
And so that's just a question for you guys to see if if is there an opportunity here to to not make such a big a big change in in the plane of the project. and and remove that much earth. And so I just want want to know a little bit more detail around that and if
there's opportunities for some savings and in not such a big cut to the to the elevation. >> Thanks Rob. Um I can't remember the slopes right off the top of my head but I know that we
you know we there's a couple things that we're thinking about. one is, you know, on the residential side, we always think like we don't want to have a table where you can see the wine glassing tipping. It's similar with the with the market. Um, so we want to have a relatively flat
space pitching enough. Can you see me by the way? >> He can't see you. >> I can't see you. No, I can hear you though. >> [laughter] >> So we want to you know we want to have it flat enough that the tables when the setups are occurring for the market that
it looks that it's relatively flat. >> Yeah. >> So we graded it. So I believe it's in it should be in the cafe. Um so in ter your question um Cheryl's question is they're they're great and I
just I can't answer if we can minimize some of the cutting >> but there might be I I guess Cheryl couldn't I didn't want to say yes because I don't I need to look at the drawing and study it more >> but that's you know to save some money with we've been trying to save money
>> for the last four months in different methods so this suggestion we will look get a little closer. >> So I I have a question for you. If we didn't do that and we were to change the grade, we'd still have to add some sort of retaining wall on the east
side. Correct. Because there is such a a slope difference. So in the end, I'm not sure it's going to really get us any different in terms of cost. You wouldn't have if you did raise that your cut, you
would have less wall and have less removal, but you have >> and less steps, right? Less steps. >> I mean, we're all design professionals, the ones making these comments, right? So, and you know, we've looked at and worked on grading plans and these kinds
of things. And I always want when I have a budget problem, you know, I always look at my biggest ticket item and say, "What's what's driving my budget problem here?" And it's not the little things that you're going to chip away at. And it's usually like you and you know this
in our big project, the landscape's the last thing to go in and that's where the cuts get made. And so it's um you know if you can find a way I always look for things that are not the things that the user is going to see. So that it's it's
this sort of thing that is driving some cost here that the users won't see. So as a design professional here I think it's just we're giving you some suggestions that budget and it doesn't really it doesn't change the design concept. It doesn't affect the tree.
It's just a question of how you're implementing it in in the in the pin products. And so that's hopefully something where you know I'm concerned you know whether you're going to get that kind of money out and then I know that you you're have that goal but
having looked through the budget I I am concerned about that and [clears throat] u you know it is a good project. I mean I uh I you know started working on the master plan implementation committee over 10 years ago. We started with planning work at the land you know and
we we developed a report that got passed on to the select board and the select board said in the letter that they're working on that implementation. So, it's it's great to see um progress and see things that we've worked on some years ago, you know, having some progress. And
so, I do want to see progress here. So, um and I, you know, I agree with JP. We we passed zoning. I worked on zoning too and the town passed it five years ago and not one project zoning yet. And I keep saying why not? We should if we have to change the
building, we should do that again because it is an amazing part of Milton and JD's making some progress in the county needs to do his part too and hopefully other property work too. Um so I hope you're taking my comments from
that. >> That's great. Yeah, thank you for the feedback >> and Pete Pete and then Jenny. I think um the difference is if you use a higher elevation for your circle then the change in grade instead of happening between the
sidewalk and going down there the bigger change of grade happens from your your circle area going down to the lower. So there'll be a slope that goes down to the beach tree area. >> Correct. But it illuminates, you know, a big piece of your earthwork, a big base
of your wall and stair construction and you can have the the circle, you know, you have to grade it up and the circle might get a little smaller. You'd have to work at that, right? But um I just think it makes sense and and regardless of what happens with the tree and I have
to review the arburity report and things like that, but you know I've been watching that tree for a long time and there are actually three beautiful healthy trees that are being removed in this project. It's not just the oak tree and we've got a beautiful pin oak over
there near the the driveway that goes back to the MBJ parking lot. We've got a beautiful young sugar maple. Correct. >> Well, it's not in the plans, but yeah, those trees if they have to be, you
know, should be transplanted, right? >> Um the other one of the other things, well, we're throwing out suggestions here. You're putting in a lot of impervious surfes that aren't there now. So, I would suggest that your plan
improves a um infiltration basin, you know, like a rain garden or something so that you can handle this the increased storm water that all this impervious surface. It's been going to generally but I appreciate the hard work, Scott. I
know how hard you've been working on this for years. Um, you know, I just I just wish there were more opportunities for input. Has anybody from the town done like a detailed engineering and design review? Has done engineer review the project at
all or any of that? >> I don't think it's required of the project. So, how >> it's a town project on town land? Of course, it's >> I I I will say that this this process has been going on since 2022.
And to have these types of questions coming up now is a little frustrating because I I just don't know where this project's going to go from here. Um so you know I I'll share that as as my own
personal feelings on it. You know there was a lot of opportunity throughout this process for public whether you decided to show or not or what >> there were three meetings at the conceptual design. >> Sure. Okay. Um I I just think that this
town is begging for development in this particular neighborhood. Um this committee here is a is a a funding decision mechanism for the town. Um it's not the planning board. It's not um
it's not you're you're supposed to be making funding decisions, not decisions on the techn technical nature of a project. Um I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but for someone who's invested a lot of time and
money in this project and to have it at the last minute potentially not be funded [clears throat] is extremely frustrating. Um this is has been with with our committee um all volunteer um we're the only
people who have stepped forward to to make a difference down there at this park. Um I just don't see you know you guys are asking us to go back to the drawing board and re-engineer this. Um the private side of
this funding is not going to be able to withstand an additional round of this. Um that is something that you guys are going to need to make the decision on whether you want to go back to the drawing board uh and re-engineer the project. That's your choice. Um I don't
see I I think we spent a lot of time on this project um listening to the community, listening to folks. Um and we redesigned this project. how many ever times to get it to a point where we
tried to hit 90 to 95% of the requests that came in and we spent a lot of time getting it to where it is now. Um and again um kind of a last minute change is difficult to hear. Um that's
probably where I'm at right now. But I I guess I'll stop while I'm ahead, but I I think that that's always >> So, let me get a couple other members who haven't spoken yet. Rob, I'm going to call on you in a minute, but Jenny has been waiting patiently. So, Jenny,
>> take Mr. Hunt's letter in a replacement tree. So I was just wondering whether you got that thought that you had an idea indication that there was a replacement for it. >> It wasn't clear to me whether there was
replacement on elsewhere on the site or you know planting another tree. In other words, >> significant planting that's happening here. Um so >> you know we can't caliber it. I mean maybe we get clo close to the caliber inch but I mean again that's budget um
an element. >> Um but yeah there's significant planting that's being proposed for this. >> So but I don't know where he >> I just know where he got that. >> Yeah he was >> shoot
free willing >> anyway. And then then my second question is um the circle uh when I look at it I see heat. It just seems hot. I mean super hot and some of the images have a
shade on it but it's not in the budget. So I didn't know what the plan how typical that is or I'm sure what your thought is about shade. >> I mean so you know you always start with sort of big visions of what these things could be. Um, so we talked about I don't know if it's anybody in here, but we
were talking about more canopy trades in this space Chris and and that was really more actually it was a group that we met with that was more farmer market centric. Wasn't she talking I feel like there's a woman talking about providing shape but
yeah that was that was something that was considered for sure. Um, but in terms of the state the circle really was driven from the planning board. Um, we had a great sort of design meeting on site. Um, and so we reoriented the
entire park from where it was originally designed. And I think this is where Scott's going in terms of like getting trying to get input from all different groups. The park has been reoriented now. So it orients itself to the river. So you can sort of sit along the the
seaw wall. Um, and the circle was born from the concept of connecting it to the lower part that's in the warf 25. So there's like a series of circles that are sort of make that up. So the the planning board was very interested
in making this feel like more of a precinct so everything was cohesive. Um, so those were the the shapes and orientation. In terms of the shade, it's a great point great point. Um, we're really trying to maximize space for usage for the market. It's really
functionality. >> I'll speak a little bit on the market as far as designing that circle is not only being on the board, but being a vendor down there. The first thing that we do when we get set up is first clean up every branch that has fallen off that
oak tree. And in fact, two years ago, we used to have two picnic tables down there and a very large limb that was probably the size of a car fell off that tree and smashed that down. So, we first talked three of us. It was a safety issue.
>> Um, we wanted people to come to the market to get their goods, hang out, you know, be active, go up to JB's place, stuff like that. Um, we've lost a lot of shoppers there. are majority of shoppers I
>> who have not come there. You haven't lost them. Um other otherwise I mean we we this is being recorded >> both of those people because of the access.
>> I have seen with my own eyes somebody come up drop a gentleman off and he says can you go down there give me two beers of corn. He go give me two cookies and I'm going to stand right here. That's not how he wants to shop at the market. That's not how we want to sell at the market. We used to have the council of
aging come down in their van drop off a whole group of folks. Even if they bought nothing, it was something for them to do. That has gone by the wayside because of this project. I mean, I've been down there for probably five, six years now and nothing has
happened to that park and this is a great project there. So that's where we kind of got that circle is to get more people around there, get access so everyone can walk around and talk to the vendor, find out what we're all about. >> Denny, did you have additional
questions? Okay, Rob. >> Yeah, I ju I just want to take a step back and and answer Scott. Uh basically, you know, this is a this isn't a small lift for this committee. Just so that everyone understands this this is a big
this is a big amount of money that we're going to be going from this committee to town meeting to try to get a twothirds vote. Um so funding is a is a big issue on this one. Um so I hope you know I think the design professionals who are
on on this call, we're just looking at this. You know, it's one thing to look at plans as we all know. It's another thing to go out there and look at it. And so if there is ways to to to save some money on this project, I would hope that would be taken seriously because we
know as this committee as we continue to go on year and year, um it's going to be a big lift for this committee, you know, to continue to to spend spend funds wisely. So, um I don't think we're looking at making major changes to any designs here. I think we're just looking at ways that potentially could save some
money in the long run because this is going to be a 20-year type project that needs to get bonded. >> Yeah. And that that you know that's a good summary, Rob, of what we have in front of us. We um you know um we we are a funding committee um with a lot of
really great experts [laughter] um on this committee. uh not me um but [clears throat] people like Cheryl and Pete and and um you know we all have different expertises um and but Rob and Cheryl and and Pete particularly in this
area. Um so um so that's our challenge. It is as I think you know I Scott and I have talked about this. I think everybody in the room knows that this would necessitate us bonding for the first time. um CPC communities um the
vast majority of them have bonded. We're still a fairly young committee. This is only our fourth would be our fourth year of submitting an article to town meeting. Um so that would be a first uh for us. So that's a that's a a new a new
challenge for us. Um and obviously uh a bond any bonding article needs a two as Rob just referred to a two-thirds majority of town meeting. um which is a higher hurdle. Now I will say we have
passed every the previous three articles with 99% um support. Usually one or two or three people vote against it but uh >> but um yeah I think I think this year we only got one one negative vote but
whatever. Um so uh the town town meeting in specific the town in general passing CPA with 63% of the vote and back in 2020 and then town meeting specifically has been very supportive of our decisions in the past. So we would hope
hope they would do that again. But um so let me just ask again for any additional questions for anybody that hasn't been able to ask questions. Yeah, Steve and You're looking for $750,000
from us, $250,000 from the capital committee. >> Has anybody discussed that with the capital committee? >> They haven't they haven't gone through their um interview or presentation process yet.
>> Okay. And the balance whatever the balance is will be private. >> Jer thinks about this is that I can't understate the significance of this park and what it has for potential for the village. Um so as Jeff mentioned as a
resid is probably one of the first successful restaurants that has existed down there. Again it's kind of no man's land. People don't even know what's down there. This park is the connection between Adam Street and Madre. So again, people go to
Madre, they either eat dinner and leave. This allows foot traffic to travel to and folks. I think it's going to be an extraordinary opportunity for that business down there. Um the farmers market as a resident of the town. Um I personally don't use it a ton because I often find its range and the topography
and the setup a little difficult to navigate. Um what this is going to present is not only to have a more robust market but also pretty robust programming. One of the things that uh Bill and I discussed is um as as a gym we're happy to donate community for yoga classes. Um I would love to help
coordinate as a business Shakespeare in the park fun activities for kids. Um so as we talk through this, there's no question this is a huge undertaking for this board. Um I understand it's not a small amount of money we're asking for. Um I also think it's an extraordinary opportunity for this town. I don't I as
as far as I've been involved in the planning business these conversations it's rare that we're presented with this type of opportunity where um a a park can have such a substantive impact um on an ecosystem and kind of community. So, um I don't want to understate how
extraordinary the opportunity is for the town of Milton, for the residents, uh for families, um for the village, for businesses. Everyone will do better because that park exists because right now, like Jeff said, it's really I mean, most people don't even know it exists. It's just a kind of absent vacant piece of land. So,
um this this will be an extraordinary asset for the town. >> Is it appropriate for me to make a motion >> um >> on this or no? So, we did set another that's a meeting you weren't at. We set another meeting
in December um that was in part um um not um wanting to anticipate an outcome of um what was it? December 18th that we sent 16th. Um
uh we could take a vote tonight. We voted on every other proposal um except for the Randolph proposal. So we we absolutely could um we did set another meeting in case the committee wanted to uh deliberate more and think about it um
you know before we make make a vote but but >> I thought the treasurer was going to come in to discuss the bond. >> That's the that is the other um aspect. uh we didn't invite her for tonight because I thought felt it was um I didn't know exactly how long this would
take but I thought it was a reasonably you know full agenda. So um bringing Joanna McCarthy in um thank you u Robert um was um to to sort of talk a little more details about the mechanism of bonding and and the actual we have some
estimates of what it would cost in terms of debt service um per year but uh but to have her uh give us uh the latest and greatest on on that. >> I think that's a separate I mean I think that's a separate question. I mean, it seems to me that I'd like to see this
committee, this this group get some evidence of support from this committee. And so, if it was a modification of the vote that we would say that we're in support, you know, subject to us, you know, understanding the consequences of the bonding.
>> Y to understand the consequences of the bonding financially, what that means for how much is available, how much is committed for the next 20 years or 15 years. I think that's what we needed to understand >> the >> but yeah but what I'm saying is it >> we do have an estimate by the way it's
about 85 90,000 per year and and then declines over and it that's it was based on a 15-year bond not a 20-year bond a 15-year bond >> so so >> but what I'm saying is that I sort of feel with this with this these people in front of us that I'd like to have a
motion to sort of indicate that I'll >> you can certainly make them >> I'd like to make that motion >> make the motion >> I I agree with JD I was at an event for the library on Friday on on Monday for at Steel and Ry and I was so struck by the fact we sold 180 194 tickets for
people to come out to raise money for the library and and the fact people had a place to go and a place to congregate. This town does not have those. It don't has doesn't have that opportunity hardly ever. and to get that amazing turnout,
you know, at Steel and Ryhan on a Monday. Um, as said, the place was packed and we as the friends of the library, we do programming in that park and it's tough. Um, it's not comfortable for little kids to sit and and have Sarah read to them. Um, we're there all
the time, you know, for the kids and it's just not a really great spot for that. And we would get much better participation if people could actually roll a stroller, which they can't right now. And I just think that it's so important to have places and gathering places in this town which we don't have
and we lose them all the time. And so I'd like to let these people know I'd like to have a motion to sort of say yes, we're generally in support of their project and that it's subject to our understanding the financial consequences. Um and that would be my motion.
>> So >> okay. So we have a motion on the floor. Do we have a second? I just want to understand the motion isn't about supporting a $750,000 request. >> We're supporting the $750,000 subject to our understanding of the
coast cost of it through the bonding mechanism >> because we have no funds to support it at 750 if we do not bond. >> Yes. So, >> so you're making a motion to go forward with bonding really >> subject to Yes. without having >> No, no, we'll say no to say that we are
in support of this project and that the next um opportunity we will be discussing what the financial cost of it is before we vote for it. Yes. >> So this is not this is different than the votes we've taken. >> It's not up to now. >> We're approving this application. That's
not my motion. >> So it's a motion of general support to have people >> I just did but okay. I'd like to have a I'm making a motion to indicate this committee's support of the Wararf um
park project subject to um are getting cost estimates for what the bonding would be. >> Um so I'm um I need a second. [laughter] Do I have a second? Second. All right.
Then now discussion. I wasn't I'm gonna this just not always a stickler for Robert's rules but uh I need so we have a motion and a second and more discussion and questions. Jenny >> I believe last meeting was in addition
to not um understanding the complete bonding but was also to fully understand the potential other bonding requests this committee may receive in the future. just understand that. >> Yeah. The fire station particularly the Athetherton Street fire station. Yeah.
Um Yeah. And I you know that's we can we we can attempt to do that. That is going to be um I'm going to say that's going to be challenging. Right. Every time for the last two years I've
seen Brian Walsh on the street says we need to talk to the CPC. But for two years, they haven't come before the CC CPC. Um, so >> no, no, I I I understand and Brian's done an extraordinary job. Don't don't
don't get me wrong. Um, but I don't think they know exactly what they need and where the what direction they're going to come. >> Yeah. No, right. I mean, but but it just feels like to me I'm not, you know, whatever. we can do our best to uh
extract what information the fire station building committee has at their disposal right now um to factor into that discussion. But I don't know if we're going to have certainty is I guess all that's all I'm saying. Um or I'm pretty sure we're not going to have
certainty by the time we have to make a recommendation at town meeting. But um all right. So other discussion on the motion not confused but a little bit
wondering about subject to understanding the bond. I'm not sure what that >> Well, I said I'm I'm just concerned about the fact that we have all these people here and they have spent an amazing amount of time and um and as
Scott said, you know, to come here at the last and the last minute in their idea that, you know, come before us and people are like, well, you know, I'd like you to, you know, have it be pink, not blue, and I'd like to have this and not that. um you know is I just would
like to send a message to the team that is here today that in general I'd like to find out whether the committee is in generally in favor of going ahead with this. So, one of the things I would say is the funding request is important for
us to understand what the long-term consequences of that dollar value is because some some applicants have come forward with requests and they don't get uh recommended for the full requests that they've asked for because there's
not sufficient funds. And so I want to be sure that we fully understand that it that this will be something that is decided for the future committees for the next 15 years that this there's an additional cost that's comes with
bonding. I think we Rob spoke about that before. So it's not a $12 million project just on the bonding alone. The costs are going to go up for the cost of the of the borrowing, right? So >> no, you do the bond, you buy the bond, the the the cost of the bond stays,
>> but the project costs go up because the cost of the money goes up. So the question I think that we asked tonight is can the cost of the project go down? So that helps the overall request that comes to you know to us. Maybe the request will still be 750, but if their
project costs go down, we could we can consider whether seven whether the recommendation that we make is for the full 750 or whether the recommendation is for 500 or 600 or or some other number as we think about the impact that it has on let's just say it's uh you
said 85 to 90 and we have about a million dollars a year. So, we're talking about nearly 10% of it is committed every year. And and I don't know, maybe some it's going to be a little bit more than a million some years and a little bit less than a million some years. >> No, no, no, no, no. The bonding cost stays the same.
>> No, I mean what you're saying. >> Yeah, it Yeah. 90,000. If we have a million dollars to spend every year, which is approximately what we have currently, >> you know, that's what I think that's what she's saying. 90,000 is >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> 9% of I mean, but as as Tom has pointed out any number of times and as I know from borrowing a bunch of money town, um, most towns do and this is a special project. This isn't coming in and fixing my wall or taking care of a grove of
trees. I mean, it's you get different kinds of projects and and every town gets faced with a significant capital project for the CPC and it's either a fire station or it's the town hall or
it's some, you know, massive redo of a recreational facility or the construction of a new park. So, every town gets faced with those, right? So, Pepper Park has been trying to be the playground for the last three or four years, too, right? But they didn't ask.
Okay. So we only can act on the applications we get and they didn't ask for the whole thing. And in the end what we have gotten what they have gotten along the way is a pretty significant amount of money over three years.
>> They're the large to date. They're the largest um project. >> We have that same situation with Forbes is that they were working on the barn. They came in for a chunk for this. They said they were going to come back for a chunk. We've been told, you know, Eustace estate would come back for other
things. We've been we have in fact gotten repeat kind of customers. These folks have worked on a pretty major project. They know it's going to be costing a bunch of money on town land. And so their request is the 750. I don't think we can go around and say, "Well, you know, I'd rather if you did X, Y,
and Z." That's not the application in front of us. >> Well, okay. Yeah. First, I'd like to say how much I appreciate and how much I support and appreciate all the hard work that everyone's put in. It's a lot of time and effort. And so, I agree with
everybody here that that can be a very important site and upgrading the site is a high priority and can have a great impact on the waterfront, the business area that we get up. So, I'm supportive of all of that. Um, I understand the problem with the roots of the trees that
can be dealt with whether the tree goes or stays the the root problem can be dealt with and you can have a a usable site there even with the tree there. Um, I I don't know how to say this delicately.
I don't believe there has been a sufficient public community buzz involving public meetings. There have been a lot of little meetings. You've met with everybody twice, you know, whatever. You met with a lot of people,
but Scott, you say that this is coming up at the last minute. We've never I've never had a chance to, you know, professional for 48 years. I have never had a chance to see, you know, what the grading plan was and how
this [snorts] how the concept plan responded once the survey came in because all the concepts we saw there wasn't any survey. So, you didn't know the elevations. You didn't know that you could walk out there and look at it, but there's never been a chance to review
that. There's never been a chance to review the playground. When I saw the playground and tried to look it up on the site of the manufacturer and can't find anything related to what that playground is, the community's not had a chance to talk about what the playground is, what the surface is and how that
affects the surface, the uh beach tree and things like that. Some of that is, you know, beyond here. I am very supportive of a project down there and I you know that project could be something that I
could support but as without um considering some of the issues primarily the grading issue you know I can't support the project as designed out and if the team is not willing to take the
less than a week it takes to look at if we raise the elevation, you know, to more reflect this, you know, what's the impact and how that can be done. I think that's not as he did. >> No, he he didn't. No. So, what I was
saying, we just got the feedback. >> Yeah. >> About that. And that's we're I just can't answer Cheryl's question right now. We need to look at that. And so um you know whether or not my feeling is that you we're there's a lot of
technical connections that we're making in terms of the existing roads, the sidewalks, the trees. >> Yeah. >> My gut feeling is that we might be able to raise it slightly. And as you as you as you know Pete, when you have a public space that's 80, you can't have cross
slopes or path of travel slopes that are greater than 2%. So the grades are very difficult. Um, and we have had that engineered by Jim Burke. Um, we've worked with him arm and arm in terms of that. Um, so I don't take any of your
feedback in terms of the design. Personally, I've been told a fountain I designed in Little Rock, it was a private jural, so I've been I've been through it. Um, I don't have an ego anymore. Um, but but in terms of just so you know, there's been engineers that
have looked at the designs. There's been landscape architects that have been looking at designs and then we've had also professionals that have been looking at the plans as well. But in terms of like the interest, we we support the interest of reducing the cost. So I'm I'm happy to hear the com
the comment about the earthwork and I just can't give the answer to that, but we will look at that for sure. >> I'd be happy to meet out. I know it's not my role, but you know, I'd be happy to meet out and show you what >> Yeah. Yeah. But um >> I mean we at the end of the day taking
my landscape architecture side of JD is so eloquent in the way that he's talking about this. We want this park as a Milton resident to happen. And so if we can reduce costs in any way whether or not that's raising the grades of foot
well the main time meeting all the code compliances that we need to hit then we will do that. there's no there's no intent to have the price high. So any any feedback that that you guys give us
um we are happy to look at that and so we we appreciate that feedback for sure. >> All right. What I'm going to suggest what I'm going to ask is for Kathleen to withdraw her motion if if you're willing. Um obviously you don't you
don't have to. um that >> the suggestion >> we have we have um a December 16th meeting on the books um a chance to bring in Joanna McCarthy or um possibly the fire station building committee and just hear from them because that we have
talked about that a chance that's what I know there's a holiday in between and it's three weeks um any additional insight you can give to answering Cheryl's question would be appreciated if If you It's not possible before then.
>> What's that? >> He's agreeing with me. >> Absolutely. Good. Good. Um um so so so you know we would appreciate anything you could provide in as a response to
the grade issue, the cost issue. Um, and then >> the cost issue, we we owned two cost estimates and we've used them. Um, so we can we can make a um based on their unit costs,
we could come up with a number. Again, it's not a certified price. >> Uh, but it would be a order of magnitude that maybe it saves us 10, 15, $20,000 in terms of adjusting the grade. So we can look at that and provide some
additional feedback. >> Okay. Okay. Um then I think we would then I would suggest we would be prepared to vote on these final two um projects um the Randolph wayfinding signage um and
the Warf Park project on December 16th. after getting that feedback, after um hearing back from you folks and um and after um having a discussion here um at this table um instead of having a what
I'm viewing as essentially a non-binding vote. Um I I will say for me personally and just as as one member of this committee, I am in full support of this project. Um, I think when Scott first approached me three years ago, I like
this I use the word signature. This is a signature project for this town. I I think that I agree with everything that's been said u by the team um that this is an underutilized and kind of um uh a space that I think we all agree on
can be revitalized, can be a real signature for the town. Um, and I I like I like what I see. Um, but we have to be um we have a perfect record at town meeting. I want to keep that
and I [snorts] want this to to have the support of uh as many people as possible in town meeting. So if it if it goes that far. So um but that's my personal opinion. >> So I'll throw my motion. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Um and um
any other comments from you folks any from members >> and um I I hope you take my comments um as a as a challenge and as not not as a uh
a dislike of the project or a non-sup support of the project but as a as a challenge. >> Sure. I look I look at it as a collaboration. I think that's the thing with this town that we need to collaborate more versus like I'm telling you to do these things. I think the spirit of collaboration is important and
I think that's why this project in my mind has been so successful because we've been hearing a lot of different voices. Um so I I appreciate the feedback for sure. >> Just open any sense about the capital. Um, okay.
So, I'm just wondering do is there any way to get any sense about that? >> The capital budget or capital improvement. What is it called? The capital >> I I don't think we >> capital consider I mean, you know, [clears throat] that's a different
committee. That's not >> Do you know their timeline, Scott? I don't find out from >> think this year's request available. That's >> been departments have been told not to
request, >> you know, there's some that will get >> police will get a cruise in the fire department, but that's I've been told they just But again, that's not us. We don't know. >> That's not us. And you know, sort of the project is the project.
>> I just wanted to clarify. So you Scott, you alluded to the planning board earlier. Um, obviously we had a select board letter. The planning board has voted to or >> this was the very beginning of the project did a presentation over Zoom
looking for a support letter. >> Don't think that >> individual members or the the board was able to put something together and a few individual members did right >> but we did with the planning extensive sidewalk.
It was a a formal vote to support the project. >> Do you know which which members u wrote letters? >> Um >> okay. Okay. Okay. >> I participated in that sitewalk as a member of the board and um there there was discussion about considering the
park as part of a broader context. So thinking of the other park but also thinking of the connection to the greenway the the path the trail that we talked about. Um yeah, >> you know that just crossed to the even
to the trolley which I've spoken about making sure there's handy path accessibility and and a clear path there because um I have come off of the bike path over to the warp and you know gone through the park or next to the park um
before that and I think it one of the things that we had hoped there would be better signage too so that people on the path know that they they could get off. I mean, our waterfront's a kind of a little hidden gem and residents have it, right? But it's uh this park is a part of that sort of larger open space
network that we talked about. And so I think that's what the planning board um feedback was make this make it feel like it's more connected. And I think there were varying opinions about kind of how formal it should be or not formal it should be whether you know how
whether treat what kind of plant material that I mean I not everybody got into the same level of detail but that's what a broader concept I think was um that connection was important and so you took those comments and thinking and addressed your design but I I agree I
don't think there was a formal vote whether general support you know for improving part of the the melting village. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. That's helpful. >> Has the conservation committee weighed in on this at all? >> It's not conservation land. >> It's not within 200 feet of the water. I
think it is. >> I'm sure. Yeah, probably is. But or at least part of the park. >> Yeah. >> Do you weigh in on everything within 200 feet? >> Yeah, >> I think that concern about which is the 200 because it's the estuary. I think it's 100.
Correct. And I I don't I don't think it is within our jurisdiction. Well, >> yeah, >> certainly we we do have an interest. Um and I I I have a question. >> Yes. Y >> um
I'm a huge supporter of this this project. Um I was a um a former participant in the farmers market and um love that area when my when my girls were babies and very excited about this
this um proposal especially the fact that that um you're saving the beach. Um, but I've also lived in town long enough to know that that um they don't last
forever. And every time one of these these legacy trees dies, I feel like a little part of my soul dies with them. And um yeah, I mean, including the one right around the corner from where we are now on the
corner of Fairbanks that just came down a couple weeks ago. Um, so I'm curious and I'm and I'm wondering I'm asking this question because I think that there may be other people at town meeting that have this question
as well. And that is what would what would happen to to the vision of this space if that beach tree was not to live another hundred years?
Well, just >> it may it may >> but if if the design is sort of using that as a as a focal point. >> Well, it's it's not necessarily a focal
point. It's just a constraint. Um so we because we want to keep it and so we're using its roots as our constraint for how we created the site. Um and we have decided
to remove the oak tree because of its condition and the uh the challenges you and so we want to preserve beach. So we're we're sort of like saying okay guys let's make a decision which
direction we want to lean and we're leaning towards saving the beach tree. if the beach tree um you know dies and declines, I think then that's just sort of the nature of urban parks. I mean it's sort of like happens all the time. So um the design I think has a lot of
flexibility because we have this space that's being created for public gatherings that is essentially the oak tree is more or less in the center of that space. And then there's this sort of we call this sort of the garden or wild space that's sort of closer to the
parking lot. And so if that tree passes on, there's other tree species of trees that were shrubs and trees that are being planted down there. Um and so it'll just turn into more of a a garden type space.
But yeah, the evolution of parks is an interesting concept and it's been discussed by landscape architects for many years. taking that into consideration in the design is I think this art has the flexibility. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Any other comments, questions? Um so thank you. Um thank you for for coming tonight and um Scott, thank you for assembling a uh a rich and we're
>> already there. [laughter] Well, no. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, so I think we have our agenda for the 16th. >> I have the date right, Jenny. Right. The 16th.
>> The 16th. >> Tuesday. T Tuesday of um Tuesday, December 16th. Yep. at 700 p.m. >> Probably back at our um probably back at our normal um meeting room, I would
think. But >> well, we can ask for it. Do people like this room? >> All right, let's ask for this. Let's make this our normal meeting room. I like it. I like it. Yeah, I do like this room as well. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yeah. No, definitely. As long as we
figure out the >> um >> echo Well, yeah. >> But will you remember next time? >> No, [laughter] I can almost guarantee that. Um so, so um yeah, I'm I'm getting to So, we'll
So, 7 o'clock um hopefully here, but I'll confirm that um on December 16th. U Pete, I think was just about to ask about the walk sitewalk. That's my fault. my schedule kind of changed. So, I have not I initially sent an email to
to Rita and I didn't hear >> Walk of what? >> Uh didn't hear back. I don't think I don't know if I but whatever. But u um >> she's lined up and other people >> walk. >> She's lined up for Saturday. >> For Saturday.
>> Oh, well I I didn't know that. Um it's not it's not >> it's not posted so it's too late. Um it would have been posted by today. Um >> can't wait. >> So >> I'm I'm sorry I didn't
>> discuss it right Kathleen >> if there's no discussion and somebody pointing it out >> what's there. >> That's my understanding of it. It means you can't talk to anybody. >> You can't talk. Well, we already I mean it's actually it lines up for that because we've already made the
recommendation. There's nothing to discuss. >> We we voted on recommending that project. So >> So >> yeah, what? >> Okay. >> Oh, I didn't Yeah, I didn't see that. So >> I'd love to do that.
>> All right. So 10 So it's on. >> [laughter] >> this. So, this Saturday, >> 10 o'clock at Winter Valley at 10:00 a.m. >> Good. >> Then we'll meet by the community building there. That's right next to the garden where the office is.
>> Okay. Okay. And we will not debate anything there. >> All right. Rob, thank you for weighing in from Pittsburgh. Um, or wherever you are. >> New York right now, but be home tomorrow. Yeah.
>> All right. All right. >> All right. >> Safe travels up. We just I was going to get a motion to adjurnn, but Pete, did you have something else? >> Well, we had an item on here to begin discussing that supported project, but I guess
we're hold that little thing off. >> Yeah. for for the 16th I think. Yeah. >> Troubled about saying that, you know, we have the fire station committee in because they don't we don't have an application. >> One thing I must
>> I think people the members had expressed I think just a desire to hear their current thinking. Um you're right, we don't have an application. Um we can I don't know if it's appropriate to have them in. I can attempt to have a
more detailed conversation with Brian to see what they're and then relate relay that to here that might be more appropriate about that standing out in science. So we had a long chat about the fire station and it clearly is the
intention to to preserve most of it, >> right? Um and uh and given given the history of the building um >> there's only you know just I think everybody knows this but there's only a small well I don't say small but there's only a portion of that work that we can
right you know so basically anything interior we can't support um it it >> there's fair amount to a building like that that >> exterior exterior >> yeah no I mean >> they're out of funds you know that they were allocated to do three stations and
they've spent one too. >> Y >> nothing merits that but just there's no funding. >> And so you know if we're thinking about we're going to the town will be looking at you know that service override for that the CPC um you know that's one of
the reasons or one of the things that was a part of the the pitch to the residents was you know help with the fire station. So, I do think it's worth seeing if they've planned to find the next round and if they've done a budget
that shows like a preservation portion of it. >> Yeah, we I can attempt to get as much information as possible on that. I think the other variable is and I agree with everything Cheryl said. I you know, as many of you know, I was part of that campaign and
>> um fire stations were front and center. every brochure that we mailed out and and that type of stuff, specifically Athetherton. >> Um so, um >> well, we thought we're going to do Central, too. >> Um yeah. Um right, we took a picture of
the um that building, the building that's still >> We took a picture of this building. >> No, the the auxiliary building. The chemical building. Thank you. Thank you. >> Um Um No, what was I going to say? Um, sorry. Uh, I just blanked on going to
say, "Oh, uh, well, the other, you just mentioned the other variable, which is going to be really hard to predict, is regardless of this committee's inclination to fund um, Athetherton, they're going to need a debt service
override. That's going to require a vote of the town. So that doesn't mean we don't support it and don't fund it, but there's a lot of variables before they get to and you know when's the right time for them to
bring that when you know when are they planning on doing that? Does that pass? Um, so all I'm saying is is kind of I'm in your camp of >> you can have projects like this one for example where you know we vote the 750
town meeting votes it and nothing happens. >> Yeah. >> And so what has to happen then is that you have to go back to town meeting and resend the earlier vote. So So and that definitely happens with the borrowings. So, so you can we can vote to do it and
we can, you know, vote and the town could vote for the borrower and then they don't get the capital money or they don't get this, they can't they don't start. And so we'd have to go back, we just have to go back and resend that vote because otherwise that money sits there in our in our debt, I mean our cap
of what we have. So we have to go back and you know at Plymouth we used to do it every every couple years. we have to go back and resend, you know, six votes because nothing, you know, the project never happened. >> I want to just be clear about the the
my concern about their budget is I reviewed their budget and I met with them >> and I think it's going to be hard to get to 1.2 without any changes to the design. >> There's just only so much you can do with the materials that you change and
so forth. And so I I said it's a challenge. Well, I I do think it's a challenge. They unless they plan to, you know, get more and more out of the public bid. The cost will drop just the same scope will drop if it's out of the
public bid and they get that done through the private, but there's a certain limit to how much can be pulled out. >> Who can do that? >> Yeah, they can do like the landscape, right? Like plant materials. is $60,000 worth of shrubs
and trees. 900 >> That's not enough. Not enough. [laughter] $950 for abide. >> Yeah, >> but that's ridiculous. No, there's there's there's a lot in that thing. I mean, there's almost no contingency,
>> right? and maybe the town or something. >> They're removing trees along the property line on a wall the town doesn't own and the roots are probably under it. You need a contingency just for the wall. So there's my my point is that the
the funding, you know, um as Kathleen said, I mean, if they if they don't get all of their funding, and I really think if they're looking at a larger project, you know, are we where does that leave us? >> Well, I mean, as I said, we vote. This
happens all the time. you voted, [clears throat] it's the authorization is there, the money doesn't go any place and after a couple years when it's nothing's happening, we have to go back to town meeting and get bonded though. Does it go out to get bonded when you voted? >> Um, no.
>> No, not till you need it. >> It's just the authorization, not the action. >> But then you still have a you have to hold that money aside each year then. >> No, you don't. you but but it but it affects it affects the treasurer in
terms of um when you report to do about what your your debt limit is and so we have this we have this authorization which we've never exercised but it sort of affects what the borrowing the rest of the town can do for borrowing is
because there's the potential to borrow for this. >> So let's say like they don't raise money for two year let's say it takes two years to raise the money. >> Yeah. And that means like next year, do we have to hold 90,000 or whatever? No. >> No, we don't. We don't. But it's taken
off the town's ability, the town every year. >> Your rating, your bond rating is X. >> You know, your bond rating is X. And you've used some of that rating >> for potential >> for potential. So, it affects our bond rating to have all that stuff sit out there as a potential borrow. It's like
you when you have a heliloc but you haven't drawn on it that you've taken the debt but you haven't used it and you're not paying anything on it but it's affecting your your credit your credit. So would they start this project without it being fully funed? >> I don't know.
>> I think they couldn't public on a public public portion of it. No, you have >> I Yeah, I I mean we we'll have this debate. I I have confidence in this team. If we if we vote 700 if town
meeting votes 750,000 for this project, this project's going to happen. I have confidence in the team. >> It's that's a huge commitment. Um they're going to make it happen. He's assembled >> Yeah.
>> some of the heavyweights in town. Um and um Scott himself has invested three or four years of his life on this. And um I I can't see it not happening. It might happen with some of the changes and cost shaving that that you're recommending
even, but I I can't see, you know, I can't see it's got too much support in town. >> J Wild owns the whole village. Yeah. >> He just bought He just bought the associates go. >> Oh, he did. >> The w which
>> the big kid that >> he owns the the Bank of America building. He owns >> the building across the street. He owns most of the block on the opposite side back. >> Wow. >> Right. >> When he bought that. >> Yeah. His his his presence tonight was
sign significant in my mind in terms because he didn't sign the support letter that we got. >> No, no, that was just a logistical thing, but he he he had said no JD's signature is not on it, but he's signing it actually literally tonight. >> Um, so so
>> that's I didn't know. Yeah, that's amazing. >> He just bought that >> within the last month. >> Yeah. I mean, I know that Bank of America project. >> So, does he want the swift hat? Sorry. I mean, he might as well go go right up the street.
>> Can I ask a question if anybody else has heard? Last time I talked to Brian about the Aton station, [clears throat] he said the committee was considering demolishing that station and building a whole new building and property behind it. Has anybody heard that? Oh, yes.
Yes. I I heard that. I heard the same thing. the station building committee a month or so ago and um that was one of the things that was floated. Um what was floated was building
there an equivalent to the East Milton station on land behind >> the existing building. >> There is land there to there's enough land to do it. [clears throat] Ellen Anelong who's on the historical commission and the fire station building committee
>> said the issue with that is the land slopes down steeply and it make would make it difficult for the trucks >> to get going up the hill. >> The other wrench that got thrown in is is masked >> wants to discontinue Bradley Road behind
the station loop across a connection with Aton Street. So it's a four-way intersection Bradley. five and put a roundabout in >> and that virtual public hearing conflicted with this meeting. [laughter]
>> So, I mean, and they floated this idea a couple of years ago. Yeah. >> And the fire department's there. >> Well, wait a minute. You're going to take our land away. >> Yeah. >> Well, we're going to give you the piece that's on Bradley Road. Well, we were going to build something there, says the chief. And this is a couple of years ago,
>> and I'm watching on, you know, what the heck is he going to build? Well, apparently in the back of the mind is >> build a new station, a bigger station. >> You know, we can't get along with one bay. We need two
>> because maybe we need a brush truck or maybe a tanker truck. >> So, I have uh Ellen message me on Tuesday. and they had a meeting on Tuesday and I asked her if demo African was still on the table and she said no
as of Tuesday. So >> Oh, okay. It's good to hear. >> Now, what do you mean by on the table for changing it? >> Were they still considering still? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, Brian had told me that, you know, a month ago that there was there's no way they were going to tear
it down. >> He I think recognizes that there's a lot of support in town for saving saving structure. Yeah. >> The uh well, he was telling me the whole history of it that that got funded by the >> stalls after they lost a child, a
three-year-old in a fire. >> Oh, wow. >> They lost a three-year-old child in 1901. >> Okay. >> And the town report for 1901 lists all the fires. >> Yeah. >> And on this particular one, there's a little notation that a three-year-old
girl was badly burned and died 3 or 4 days later. >> Yeah. Wow. Uh, in the 1902 town report, there's a notation that there is now a host house and equipment
>> at Aton Street and Blue Hill Avenue making Milton right up to date with the best fire service of all the towns. >> They donated the land. >> There is a plaque in front of the station facing the station. kind of read it from Avenue but facing the station
indicating exactly that that >> that they had provided the funds because it was >> took too long for the the equipment to get there. >> Right. >> All right. I Yes. >> Um any update on staffing or anything?
Can we discuss that now or we can't discuss or no? >> We can't discuss it. possibly. >> Okay. I don't think >> um Yeah. Um Yeah. Um Yeah.
>> So, we invited Johanna yet for the 16th? >> No. But I will. >> Um >> did did we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Not yet. >> No. Do you want to make one? >> Um can you make one? >> Yes, please. Second.
>> Uh, so the motion we now have to take a roll call. Um, Rob, >> yes. >> Cheryl, >> yes. >> Steve, >> yes. >> Robert, >> yes. >> Uh, Wendy. Um, yeah. Wendy, let's skip Kathleen. Kathleen, >> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes.
>> Yes. >> Pete, Jenny, yes. Tom, yes. We're journed. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. See you Saturday. >> See you Saturday. Hey. Hey.