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August 9, 2012
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

In attendance:  J. Thomas Hurley,  Denis F. Keohane, Robert C. Sweeney, Annemarie Fagan,  Interim Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary

  • Chairman Hurley convened the meeting at 8:00 p.m. in the John A. Cronin Conference Room of the Town Office Building.
  • Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the July 26, 2012 meeting minutes as written.
Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the July 30, 2012 meeting minutes as amended.

Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the August 3, 2012 meeting minutes as written.

3.      Deborah Felton, Executive Director of Fuller Village, representing the residents at Fuller, addressed the Board in support of change to the Neponset Valley/Brush Hill Road intersection.

        Attorney Robert Sheffield, a member of the Board of Directors at Fuller Village, also addressed the Board in support of change to the Neponset Valley/Brush Hill Road intersection.

        Roxanne Musto, 101 Milton Street, presented correspondence to the Board signed by Senator Mike Rush and Representative Angelo Scaccia requesting that all future meetings, plans and public meetings include residents of Hyde Park/Readville as well as Milton.

        Glenn Beacham, 89 Neponset Valley Parkway, addressed the Board asking members to review the Neponset Valley Parkway/Brush Hill Road intersection in its capacity as a new board and to allow more public input.

        Diane DiTullio Agostino addressed the Board regarding the search for a new town administrator and informed members that she is available to serve on a search committee.

  • Former Selectmen and Chair of the Town Government Study Committee Richard Neely met with the Board to update members on the progress being made by the Committee.  Mr. Neely noted that the charge for the Committee was broad and he reviewed some of the issues they were discussing which included reducing the size of Town Meeting, IT service development, enhancement of the PILOT program and a discussion on a Town Manager versus a Town Administrator.
  • Before the Board began its discussion on the Screening process for the new Town Administrator, Chairman Hurley read the following statement:
“I feel that I have to speak my conscience and say one last word regarding what has transpired the past week or so.  If any of my fellow selectmen would like to speak to the issue as well they are welcome to do so.

We are the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Milton and we have the absolute right and authority to replace the Town Administrator.  It was clear that two members of the Board desired to do just that.  That is their right and they had the majority of the votes.

I will not take exception to the vote itself.  It is reality and we all will abide by it.  I do take exception to the manner in which the process took place.  What we as a Board did to Kevin Mearn was degrading, humiliating and mean spirited.  It was tantamount to a crucifixion of a person who committed no crime.  No employee or for that matter no person should be subject to such a public humiliation.  Replacing the Town Administrator could have been accomplished in a respectful and civilized manner to allow all parties to walk away with dignity and to maintain the respect of the office that we hold.  We chose not to do that.

I feel that I may have played a part in the spectacle by not properly controlling the meetings, allowing votes to be taken that were not legal and by not sufficiently explaining to the Board the alternatives that could have dignified the process.  If so, I take full responsibility for that and I apologize to Kevin, the Town and my fellow selectmen.

We must and we will work together as a Board to carry out our responsibilities to conduct and oversee the operations of the Town of Milton.  This is the Board of Selectmen, three members working together toward a common goal for the good of the Town.  It should not be three individuals carrying out their own personal agendas.

What’s done is done.  We cannot undo that.  We can however respect our differences and join together to do what the voters elected us to do.  Namely weigh all of the facts and make thoughtful decisions for the benefit of the Town of Milton.  I throw down that challenge to my fellow selectmen.”

Mr. Sweeney responded by saying that he did not feel it appropriate to “air his laundry” with Kevin Mearn in public and asked residents to take him at his word, he had his reasons and it was time to move on.

Mr. Keohane felt it was unfair of Mr. Hurley to discuss something that he had time to prepare a statement about and was not on the agenda.  He stated that he had a response to Mr. Hurley’s statement, but not at this time.

The Board discussed the formation of a committee to hire a new Town Administrator.  Mr. Hurley suggested that members begin by reviewing the job description to decide if  they would like to make any changes.  He also felt that the appointment of an impartial committee of five to seven members made up of town residents and perhaps a town administrator from outside Milton would be a good combination for this committee, or the Town could contract with a professional search company.  Mr. Hurley stated that he felt that candidates applying should have a Master’s degree in public administration, knowledge of municipal law and experience in contract negotiations and budgets.
        
While in agreement with these suggestions, Mr. Keohane felt that the new town administrator should have good communication skills, the ability to create a mission statement for the town and conduct weekly department head meetings.

  • The Board discussed the October 22 Town Meeting and the articles that had been submitted for inclusion in the warrant.  After discussion and a presentation by Attorney Ned Corcoran of a citizens petition article requesting overlay zoning for a business development, J. Thomas Hurley moved, Denis F. Keohane seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the following articles submitted by the Board of Selectmen to the October Town Meeting:
  • An article to provide an appropriation for the demolition of the Town-owned portion of 131 Eliot Street.
  • An article to appropriate and determine a use for state aid monies in excess of the amount previously estimated by the Town.
  • An article to see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate to provide capital needs for the Town’s sewer system.
Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted 2-0-1 (Hurley) to include the following article in the October 22, 2012 warrant:

  • A Citizens Petition for overlay zoning for a Landscaping/Residential Planned Unit Development.
Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to include the following article in the October 22, 2012 warrant:

  • An article submitted by the Planning Board to amend the Zoning Bylaws by adding a new subsection to Section III regarding Assisted Living Residence development.
  • The Board met with Planning Director William Clark for a discussion on the Town’s Mitigation Plan, a contract renewal for Beacon Integrated Solutions, LLC for consulting services for the wind turbine project and a zoning article for the October Town Meeting.
After discussion, J. Thomas Hurley moved, Denis F. Keohane seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a Town of Milton Hazard Mitigation Plan which was created by MAPC with input from the Milton Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee which will enable the Town to be eligible to receive FEMA funding for hazard mitigation grants and to re-commit to update this plan in five year intervals.

J. Thomas Hurley moved, Denis F. Keohane seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a contract between the Town and Beacon Integrated Solutions, LLC for consulting services regarding the construction of the wind turbine for the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

7.      The Board met with Police Chief Richard Wells regarding a recommendation by the Traffic Commission concerning the intersection of Neponset Valley Parkway and Brush Hill Road.

        After discussion, J. Thomas Hurley moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation by the Traffic Commission to not pursue the conceptual plan submitted by the Board of Selectmen for the Neponset Valley Parkway/Brush Hill Road intersection at this time, to take input on a plan by DCR and revisit the issue in 30 days.

  • The Board deferred a vote on the demolition of the town-owned property at 131 Eliot Street.
  • Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the reappointments of the following members of the Council on Aging to serve through June 2015:  Jean Leslie, Roger Connor and Louise Voveris, and to approve the following associate members through June 2014:  Regina Dobson, Carolyn Everette, Deborah Neely and Elva S. Proctor.
Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the reappointments of Leslie Collins and Joseph J. Tierney to the Commission on Disability to serve through July, 2015.

Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve Joseph M. Reardon as the Town’s Norfolk County Representative to serve through August, 2013.

Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of John Bowie by appointing John King as the Board of Selectmen’s representative on the Retirement Board to serve through August 2015.

10.     Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a request for a public square gathering on the deck in East Milton Square for quiet, prayerful recitation of the Rosary and singing of hymns on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

11.     Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the use of the town’s streets and ways for the 14th Annual Milton Monster Dash that will take place on Sunday, October 28, 2012 (rain/snow date of Sunday, November 4) and will raise funds for the elementary school science programs in memory of Sam Cichello.

12.     The Board had a discussion with the Town Accountant and the Chief of Police regarding the FY12 salary and wage line in the Police Department budget.

13.     Denis F. Keohane moved, Robert C. Sweeney seconded and the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 10:35 p.m.