Night four of Milton Town Meeting:

Milton’s Monday, May 8 Town Meeting was marked by multiple criticisms of the Stormwater fee, a presentation by the Playground Planners, and a debate over Carberry Estates.

Article 24, which appropriates approximately $718,000 for the Stormwater Enterprise Fund, did not pass quickly.

Ronit Voigt, (TMM P2) expressed concern for potential confusion for voters. She fears that voters will vote down an override since taxes have already been raised due to stormwater fees. Webster Collins (TMM P9) stated that individual towns are not responsible for stormwater fees and proposed an amendment to appropriate $0 in both contingent and non contingent stormwater fee budgets and to transfer approximately $800,000 to the reserve fund. After some discussion, Warrant Committee Member Brian Beaupre, stated that funds cannot be allocated to the Reserve Fund in excess of what has been printed in the Warrant.” The amendment was later declared out of scope.

Michael Chinman (TMM P2) continued the stormwater discussion, stating: “To go to the voters to get an override, you have to be honest and trustworthy toward them. I think something dishonest happened with regard to the stormwater fund after we approved it.” Mr. Chinman went on to present data, stating that the national average for stormwater fees is $13 per household, while in Milton it is approximately $68 per household. “The amount that was allocated by the Board of Selectmen as an enterprise fee far exceeds what was mandated by the EPA,” stated Mr. Chinman.

“To go to the voters to get an override, you have to be honest and act trustworthy toward them.” – Michael Chinman

Board of Selectmen Chair, Katie Conlon fired back: “the previous speaker referred to the Board of Selectmen three times as ‘dishonest.’ Those comments are offensive.” Conlon went on to assert that the $750,000 previously approved by Town Meeting was not inflated, and that “without the stormwater fee, we’d be looking at a significantly larger override.”

“Without the stormwater fee, we’d be looking at a significantly larger override.” – Katie Conlon

DPW Director Joe Lynch then presented some numbers: “Last year’s number was about $713,000. We generated about 8,800 bills. Accuracy was 0.3%.” Shortly thereafter, the article passed.

Milton Playground Planners co-founder Sarah Mabel Skillen then gave Town Meeting playground updates and plans, noting that Milton’s playgrounds haven’t been updated in over 25 years. She presented photos of current playgrounds, alongside proposed plans. Article 49 passed shortly thereafter.

Bryan Furze, Chairman of the Planning Board, moved to return Article 50 back to the Planning Board for further study. The article would create a fund for traffic studies in areas of the town where new developments are being planned, but Furze asserted that it wasn’t quite ready yet for approval. “We want to think about how new developments impact traffic,” said Furze. “The creation of this fund will allow individual residents to ask, collectively, for traffic mitigation and help.”

Remaining articles passed with little discussion. As Town Meeting moved on to begin discussion of Articles 51 and 52, Moderator Bob Hiss reminded Town Meeting Members to remain courteous in anticipation of varied opinions and possibly heated talk.

Ned Corcoran (TMM P3) opened Article 51 discussion with a presentation of Carberry Estates development options under the law. The ultimate proposed plan is for 54 units to be clustered on the site with five affordable units. Devens House would be preserved. Corcoran noted, “With 54 market rate town homes, there will likely be few children to affect schools.”

Abutter and Milton citizen Kevin Walker then spoke passionately to Town Meeting: “My property is being devalued… but I do think there is room for compromise.” Walker followed up, stating “I have no choice but to take the town to court on spot zoning. I’d rather shoot the thing down or add my bylaw.” He then submitted several proposed changes regarding the affordable housing portion of the article, to a Town Meeting Member, as an amendment, which ultimately failed.

“I have no choice but to take the town to court on spot zoning.” – Kevin Walker

Peter Mullin (TMM P2) then noted that “Milton seems to approve a lot of spot zoning” and asked for an explanation. Milton Town Counsel answered: “The zoning amendment wouldn’t be held by the court to be spot zoning because there is a confirmed public or economic benefit. An example of a public benefit or an economic benefit might be historical preservation or affordable housing.”

After additional discussion and proposed amendments, Town Meeting ended past the 11:00 p.m. mark with the passing of Article 51.