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September 7, 2004
SELECTMEN’S MEETING        TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2004             5:30 P.M.

In attendance: Charles J. McCarthy, Marion V. McEttrick, James G. Mullen, Jr., David A. Colton, Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary.


Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to accept the meeting minutes of August 23, 2004 as amended.

In conformity with the requirements of Section 22 of Chapter 166 of the General Laws (Ter.Ed.) the Board held a public hearing upon petition of Boston Edison Company (Nstar Electric) requesting permission to construct, and a location for, such a line of conduits and manholes with the necessary wires and cables therein, said conduits and manholes to be located under the following public way: Fr. Carney Drive-Easterly, approximately 522 feet north of Adams Street, a distance of 13 feet.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a grant of location to Boston Edison (dba NStar) to construct a line of conduits and manholes with the necessary wires and cables therein, to be located in Fr. Carney Drive, easterly, approximately 522 feet north of Adams Street, a distance of 13 feet, subject to the condition that the petitioner secures a street opening permit from the Department of Public Works and an electrical permit from the Wire Department prior to construction.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to accept a donation of $25,000 from the Copeland Family Foundation to help fund the salary of the Council on Aging Special Needs Van Driver.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders, Article 8, Section 12, so as to include: installation of a “Stop” sign on Hope Avenue at the intersection of Cedar Terrace, and the painting of a “Stop” line across the roadway. (Note: This change is for a six month period; the issue will be revisited in five months by the Traffic Commission before removing or making the change permanent.  In the meantime, the Traffic Commission will explore other traffic calming measures for Hope Avenue).

        Marion V. McEttrick moved James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted to
approve the recommendation of the Traffic Commission to adopt a plan as presented by DPW for Granite Avenue between Adams Street and Squantum Street, to include the reduction of one southbound lane from Squantum Street to the Wood Street Overpass.

        Marion V. McEttrick moved  James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted to
approve the recommendation of the Traffic Commission to install a temporary neck-down on Highland Street at the intersection of Randolph Avenue until a permanent neck-down is completed as part of the Randolph Avenue reconstruction.  Also, continue to study other traffic calming measures to include sidewalks and placement of islands.
The Board met with Police Chief Kevin Mearn to discuss the beginning of the new school year and the necessary preparations that have been put in place by the Police Department and the School Department.  

Chief Mearn reviewed the traffic patterns and the “blocked off” areas with the Board and assured them that there will be adequate police presence and crossing guards to deal with any problems that may arise.

Chief Mearn and an interviewing committee consisting of Assistant Superintendent Mary Gormley, Principal John Drottar and Assistant Principal Alan Cron recommended the assignment of Patrol Officer Louis Bullard as the school resource officer for the 2004-2005 school year, a position that is contingent upon federal funding.  This assignment will foster a partnership with the schools and demonstrate the Town’s commitment to community policing by having a police officer directly involved with students at the high school during and after regularly scheduled school hours.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Patrol Officer, Louis Bullard, as the school resource officer for the 2004-2005 school year, contingent upon federal funding of the project.

The Board met with Town Engineer Walter Heller to discuss Camp Dresser and McKee’s  evaluation of stormwater drainage around Quarry Hills.  This report is based on a comparison of conditions prior to the development of the Quarry Hills Golf Course and current and proposed final conditions, and will determine if there is an increase in the peak or total stormwater run-off into properties of Milton.  The Board requested that copies of this report be made available for public comment in the Selectmen’s Office and at the Main Library.  It also requested that members of the Golf Course Advisory Committee receive copies of the report for their review.

The Board met with Program Manager Reva Levin to discuss a DPW proposal for a reciprocal Household Hazardous Waste Program between Milton and the town of Dedham whereby each town will open its yearly household hazardous waste collections to a limited number of each other’s residents.  This will be a pilot program that will run during FY 2005 and be evaluated at the end of that period.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Understanding for a  Pilot Reciprocal Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program between the Towns of Dedham and Milton for FY 2005 pursuant to MGL Chapter 40, Section 4A.

The Board also discussed Ms. Levin’s request for approval of a formal paper recycling program in all Town Offices.  The plan is to distribute individual recycling bins throughout the Town Offices to encourage all Town employees to recycle.  This effort will hopefully provide cost savings to the Town as this paper will no longer become part of the waste stream.

       Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted  unanimously to approve a DPW initiative to establish a paper-recycling program in all Town offices in Milton.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to schedule and publish a Renewal License breach hearing for Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in the John A. Cronin Conference Room, second floor of the Milton Town Hall, to examine if Comcast of Milton, Inc., is in violation of (i) Section 4.1 (a); (ii) Section 3.4(f); and (iii) Section 3.4(a) of the Cable Television Renewal License, dated October 16, 1997.  

It was requested by the Board that this notice be published on the Town’s website and on the Town Office Building’s Community Bulletin Board.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of the following individuals for Seasonal Labor in the Town Office Building: Thomas B. Ambrose, 10 Orchard Road and Michael Chisholm, 42 Park Street.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of James G. Mullen, Jr. to the Norfolk County Advisory Board to serve through September 2005.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Aaron Henry as Fair Housing Officer to serve through May 31, 2005.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a one-day liquor license to the Milton Hoosic Club in conjunction with an Organ Donor Awareness Fund Raiser on November 6, 2004 from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of Milton Academy to hang banners during the weeks of October 18 and October 25 at the intersection of Reedsdale Road and Randolph Avenue, the East Milton Fire House and over Centre Street on the Milton Academy Campus section, to advertise its annual lower school “Swap It” which takes place on October 29, 30 and 31st.

Marion V. McEttrick moved James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of the Milton Girl Scouts to hang a banner at the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Reedsdale Road during the weeks of September 20th through September 24th and October 4th through October 8th.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the request of the Milton Junior Woman’s Club to change the date of its annual fund raising road race to Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 2:00 p.m.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve correspondence to Barry Levine, manager and owner of East Milton Package Store, regarding non-compliance of the terms of the Sunday Openings Permit issued on April 20, 2004.

The Board discussed Town Administrator David Colton’s goals and objectives.  Mr. Colton’s goals include working to develop strong financial leadership, positive labor/community relations, improved quality of life for Milton residents, vision and stewardship for revitalization efforts in Milton, and improved overall effectiveness and efficiency of Town Government.

Marion V. McEttick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Goals and Objectives as submitted by the Town Administrator and to amend his contract to include these goals and objectives.

Town Administrator David Colton distributed an RFP for consultant services to conduct an analysis of the community need and market demand for affordable housing in Milton and for the development of an affordable housing strategy.

Mr. Colton also distributed a violation notice that has been sent by the Building Commissioner to Grono & Christie, 536 Adams Street, informing this merchant that he is in violation of zoning by-laws due to his installation of an illuminated sign without the required permits.

Mr. Colton distributed prepared correspondence that will, with the approval of the Board, be distributed to Milton Merchants regarding signage issues in the business districts.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign a letter to Milton Merchants addressing signage issues in the Business Districts.

The Board discussed an application to the Board of Appeals by Solomon and Patricia Babajide requesting relief of Zoning Bylaws, Section VI C (6).  Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to send a letter to the Board of Appeals stating its disapproval of this request based on its belief that it would be setting a bad precedent for the neighborhood and the Town, and that it would encourage other requests by residents to convert ancillary buildings to living spaces leading to a density that is not contemplated in our zoning.  

The Town Administrator informed the Board that residents can now vote and comment on the Town’s website on the new suggested street signs.
The Board discussed the relocation of the trough at Randolph Avenue and Pleasant Street and decided to consult with the Historical Commission before undertaking this project and to monitor closely the obligations of the contractor in completing this task.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 7:50 p.m. with Charles J. McCarthy voting yes, Marion V. McEttrick voting yes and James G. Mullen, Jr. voting yes to enter Executive Session to discuss real estate and collective bargaining and to return to open session only for the purpose of adjournment.

Marion V. McEttrick moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 9:00 p.m. to adjourn.