SELECTMEN’S MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2005 5:30 p.m.
In attendance: Marion V. McEttrick, Charles J. McCarthy, James G. Mullen, Jr., David A. Colton, Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary
Board of Library Trustees Chair Kathryn Fagan Bauer met with the Board to express her thanks for the Selectmen’s support during the recent Library expansion override election.
2. Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the November 21, 2005 meeting minutes as amended and the November 30, 2005 meeting minutes as written.
3 Marietta Surrette, 132 Ridgewood Road, Philip Mathews, 154 Reedsdale Road, and Jeffrey Cruickshank, 21 Canton Avenue all addressed the Board regarding the Citizens Advisory Report and the proposed development of the Town Yard.
4 In conformity with the requirements of Chapter 40, Section 56 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Board convened a public hearing on property tax classification. Chief Appraiser Jeff d’Ambly and Assessor M. Joseph Manning presented information to help the Board make policy decisions regarding the property tax burden to be borne by each class of property. After a brief discussion, Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations of the Board of Assessors: a minimum Residential factor of 97.2693 be adopted, no residential exemption be adopted, no open space discount be adopted, and no small commercial exemption be adopted.
5 The Board met with Tony Lionetta and Jeff Freudberg of Beta Group, Inc. to discuss traffic improvements to the Canton Avenue/Blue Hill Parkway/Blue Hill Avenue areas. Mr. Lionetta presented several different options for controlling traffic congestion in the Blue Hill Parkway/Canton Avenue area.
6 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve alternative #2, a plan that will provide signalization, modify the Blue Hill Parkway approach so that it is more in line with Unquity Road, and provide dedicated turns as a means for controlling traffic congestion in the Blue Hill Parkway/Canton Avenue area.
7 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a proposal that will provide a geometric alteration of the Blue Hill Avenue/Canton Avenue intersection to provide a right turn deceleration lane on Blue Hill Avenue approaching the intersection and a tighter radius curve for the turn to Canton Avenue (as part of this geometric alteration, the driveway to the Blue Hills Observatory should be extended and realigned in the intersection).
8 In keeping with the Traffic Commissions recommendations to create safer pedestrian crossing patterns on Reedsdale Road,. Mr. Lionetta presented illustrations of different types of crosswalks Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the installation of an enhanced crosswalk at the entrance to Milton Hospital.
9 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to refinance the purchase of the Town’s street lights with Popular Leasing through 2009 at a monthly payment not to exceed $8,141 per month.
10 The Board met with DPW Director Walter Heller regarding his department’s FY 07 budget. Mr. Heller gave an overview of the Program Manger’s job and answered questions relating to his budget.
Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted to approve and forward to the Warrant Committee the Fiscal 2007 budget for the Department of Public Works in the amount of $13,527,973 including $2,277,733 in estimated MWRA water charges and $4,166,153 in estimated MWRA sewer charges.
11 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the MWRA for the creation of a Pressure Reducing Valve that will eliminate the majority of above ground bypass piping throughout the Town during the MWRA’s Southern Spine Distribution Mains Rehabilitation Project and the Town’s Adam Street PWED Project and to authorize the Town Administrator to sign this agreement on behalf of the Board.
12 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted to enter into an agreement with Woodard & Curran for engineering services for the design, bidding and construction phase services for the Pressure Reducing Valve needed for the MWRA’s Southern Spine Distribution Mains Rehabilitation Project and Adam Street Project.
13 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted to approve the recommendation of the Sign Review Committee regarding signage for Dunkin Donuts, 545 Adams Street, as follows: There will be no additional signage allowed, only the three existing signs (front and back of building and existing pylon sign on Granite Avenue) will be part of the signage package; awnings will be in plum color and temporary signage will need approval by the Town.
14 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted at 7:30 p.m. to recess the Selectmen’s meeting to convene a Governor Stoughton Trustees Meeting.
15 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted at 8:10 p.m. to return to the Selectmen’s meeting..
16 The Board met with members of the Milton Animal Shelter to discuss their needs. Chairman McEttrick suggested that the Shelter provide the Board with a summary of needs so that each one can be addressed.
17 The Board met with Chief Mearn to discuss recommendations made by the Traffic Commission. Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations of the Traffic Commission:
To adopt a plan dated September 1, 2005 from the Engineering
Department that will increase the spacing between bus stops on
Reedsdale Road and create safer pedestrian crossing patterns by
removing three bus stops and relocating one stop as outlined in this
plan.
To erect an additional “Go Slow” sign southbound in the area of 73 Washington Street.
To install a “Slow-Watch for Children” sign on the southerly
side of Hutchinson Street heading towards Adams Street.
The proper location of the sign will be determined by the
Department of Public Works.
To amend Article V, Section 2 of the Traffic Rules and Orders
(restricted parking), so as to include the following: one-half hour
parking between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the
northerly side of Central Avenue from #79 Central Avenue to the intersection of Maple Street.
18 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and forward to the Warrant Committee a Reserve Fund Transfer Request in the amount of $12,268 to Unemployment Insurance Compensation.
19 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and forward to the Warrant Committee a Reserve Fund Transfer Request in
the amount of $12,000 to Veterans Benefits.
20 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to ratify the November 21, 2005 approval and signing of employment contracts for the Fire Chief and the Police Chief.
21 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to ratify the November 21, 2005 approval and signing of employment contracts for the Fire Chief and Police Chief.
22 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to award the bid for the printing of the Annual Town Report to Eagle Graphics in the amount of $5,891.
23 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign a resolution in support of increased funding for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund, also known as Debt Service Assistance to be submitted to the Legislature as part of its Legislative Day to be held on January 19, 2006.
24 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to accept a Demolition Delay Bylaw article (a modified version of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting article) as proposed by the Historical Commission for submission to the 2006 Annual Town Meeting.
25 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to support House Bill 4809 which proposes to permanently eliminate the state gas tax for municipal vehicles and to inform our legislators of our action and support.
26 David Colton reported the following; the zoning issues at 1365 Canton Avenue are headed for litigation; the Energy Task Force Report has been distributed; The Town Yard Citizens Advisory Committee has filed its report and it is available on the Town’s website. The Board requested that Jon Witten be invited to the next Board meeting to discuss the report.
27 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously to grant $200 from the Peabody Fund toward Christmas gifts for needy residents.
28 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted unanimously Marion V. McEttrick voting yes, Charles J. McCarthy voting yes and James G. Mullen, Jr. voting yes, to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation and collective bargaining.
29 Charles J. McCarthy moved, James G. Mullen, Jr. seconded and the Board voted
unanimously at 10:00 p.m. to adjourn.
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