Three former chairs of Milton Select Board endorse yes vote on February 13

In a significant endorsement for the upcoming town-wide referendum on February 13, three former chairs of the Milton Select Board have publicly thrown their support behind the yes vote for the MBTA Communities law.

Rick Neely, Arthur Doyle, and Katie Conlon, all long-time Milton residents with extensive volunteer experience in town government, have united to advocate for compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, stressing the potential high stakes of non-compliance.

Having collectively served the town in various capacities over the last few decades, the trio highlights the importance of Milton adhering to state laws, citing examples such as the closure of the town dump in the 1990s and the vulnerability to 40B projects due to the failure to meet the State’s affordable housing requirement.

The endorsement focuses on the critical role of State funding in Milton’s annual budget, supporting both municipal and school operations. The former Select Board members underscore the town’s reliance on discretionary State grants for essential projects, including infrastructure, planning, and capital investments.

Doyle, Neely, and Conlon emphasize the risk of losing this crucial funding if Milton fails to enact MBTA-compliant zoning. With impending traffic and infrastructure projects, they argue that jeopardizing the town’s ability to receive State grants would be short-sighted and contrary to Milton’s best interests.

Drawing on their experience as local elected officials, the trio cautions voters against underestimating the Attorney General’s commitment to enforcing the MBTA Communities Act. They highlight the statement that the Attorney General’s office “will not hesitate to compel compliance” and stresses the potential financial and procedural burdens associated with defending against state enforcement actions and external litigation based on fair housing laws.

The former Select Board chairs conclude by urging Milton residents to consider the broader implications, emphasizing that court or administrative state officials, rather than the community, could ultimately decide Milton’s zoning if compliance is not achieved. Their collective endorsement carries weight, offering voters a perspective grounded in decades of local governance experience and a keen awareness of the potential consequences at stake in the upcoming referendum.

For more information on the Yes! For Milton campaign, visit yesformilton.com.