January 5 Select Board Milton Meeting: Covid-19 updates, 40B project at 652 Canton Ave., and Franklin Street winter plaza concept

Covid-19 update

The meeting began with a Covid-19 update. Milton is in the red zone for the second consecutive week, which makes Milton a high risk community. Two additional Covid-19 testing dates were added:  January 10 and January 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the DPW Yard. Tests are being administered by Fallon Ambulance and are free to the public. Caroline Kinsella, the town Health Director, joined to discuss Covid-19 cases and vaccine updates. She noted that cases have dramatically increased after the Christmas and New Year holidays. The vaccine is available to first responders at this time and once available to the public they will be scheduled by appointment through an online electronic platform. She will continue to update the public.

Public comment regarding proposed 40B project at 652 Canton Ave.

The Select Board dedicated an hour of the meeting to taking calls from the public regarding opinions on this matter. All the residents who called in expressed concerns about the project. Many of the concerns were around traffic and safety. For more on the 40B Site Eligibility Application Information click here: 40B Site Eligibility Application Information | Milton MA (townofmilton.org)

Franklin Street winter plaza concept

Planning Director, Tim Czerwienski joined the meeting for this discussion. This concept would aim to bring people to the business district in a socially distant and responsible way. The application deadline is January 29 and he plans to pursue an aggressive schedule for this application for the grant as it could potentially help small businesses that are in a tough spot across the commonwealth.

Public comment will take place at the Select Board meeting on January 13. You can find more information on this proposal here: Outdoor winter plaza proposed at Franklin and Adams Streets in East Milton Square – The Milton Scene.

Steel & Rye patio heating equipment lease

The Select Board discussed the pending approval of the lease for patio heating equipment from the Town of Milton to Milton’s Opus LLC, doing business as Steel & Rye. This grant, if approved, will allow for heat lamps to be used in outdoor spaces, as well as to cover the costs of propane for the lamps. The Select Board motioned in favor of this grant and will finalize the lease terms at another meeting.

Additional Items of Discussion

An update to the proposed rate increase for Boston Gas/National Grid customers was provided. The Attorney General’s Office is continuing to work on this matter and written comments can be provided up until January 29.

The Select Board motioned in favor of the reappointment of John Sullivan to the Broadband Committee.

The No Place for Hate Proclamation, which is to be read at the MLK virtual celebration, has been approved as discussed.

January 13 and January 27 are the future meeting dates for this month.