Select Board Nov 17: LED billboard proposal, ARPA fund request approvals, and more

2 Granite Ave LED billboard installation proposal

Ned Corcoran provided a presentation regarding the proposal of an electronic billboard for a site along the Southeast Expressway near the entrance to Milton. The site proposal for the billboard would be next to the John Flatley Co. office building at 2 Granite Ave. along the Neponset River. Select Board members seem open to this idea as it would have no impact on neighborhoods near by. The request will first go before the appeals board before it will be voted on.

Covid-19 update

Town Administrator, Mike Dennehy, provided the update for Health Director, Caroline Kinsella.  The Health Department has noticed that more school age children are testing positive, and that unvaccinated cases are more severe. Booster vaccine clinics should begin in December and will be a 14 week program. More Covid-19 test dates will take place, on 11-28, at the DPW yard from 10-3, and also the Sunday before Christmas, 12-19. For the most up to date information on Covid-19 in Milton, please visit: COVID-19 | Milton MA (townofmilton.org)

Police Department update

Chief John King joined to provide a departmental update. He mentioned personnel issues as they are short staffed, and dealing with an increase in mental health calls. Turnover is extraordinary currently which is presenting a new pressure. The Select Board would like to look into seeing if some of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds could be used to provide some extra assistance with mental health related staffing issues within the department. 

Finance Committee report on ARPA funding

Finance Committee member, Mike Zullas, provided a list of 5 request recommendations to be addressed, they are as follows:

1. Health Department, priorities 2 and 3
2. Health Department, priority 4
3. Storm water project
4. Appropriate money for Cleargov module
5. 2 positions requested by the school department to address the effects of Covid-19, identified as top priorities for the schools

The Select Board moved to approve these requests as presented.

Community Happenings 

The annual tree lighting ceremony is scheduled to take place on December 11. A holiday stroll is in the planning phases. More details to come. 

The next Select Board meeting is scheduled to take place on December 2.