By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/16/09
School officials are still uncertain if and how federal stimulus money could boost next year’s budget, which will include extensive layoffs without new funding.
However, they stress it likely won’t be enough to cover the entire loss they would face if voters elect not to approve a tax increase.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/16/09
The proprietor of a fine-dining restaurant set to open in East Milton Square is now preparing to welcome patrons beginning June 15.
Vance Welch, owner of the Java Jo’s coffeehouse in Jamaica Plain, says he is “hopeful” he can open his new restaurant at 550 Adams St. by that date if renovations to the building stay on schedule.
The business will occupy the space where Video-To-Go was located.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
4/16/09
As any homeowner knows, upkeep and maintenance are important parts of ensuring the integrity of a house. But what if that house happens to be an important part of American history and dates back to the 1600s?
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
4/9/09
The downturn in the economy has taken a bite out of many local pockets, investments and retirement accounts. But it has also affected a group of residents that literally might like to bite back.
The Milton Animal Shelter, housing the town’s stray and homeless four-legged residents, has been given permission to relocate the facility to the town’s DPW yard on Randolph Avenue. Plans have been drawn up and fund-raisers have been held, but the Milton Animal League and Friends of the Shelter, the nonprofit fund-raising arms of the shelter, have seen their investments drop along with the stock
market.
(continued)

Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/9/09
The Planning Board is opposing a citizens’ petition to rezone Temple Shalom on Blue Hill Avenue for commercial use.
While not rejecting the development proposal outright, all five members of the board last week told residents they see “fatal flaws” in how the language for the zoning is being proposed.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/9/09
Two firefighters pulled Robert Macomber out of his Wyndmere Road home April 2 after he sent out a lifeline that he needed medical help.
Fire Chief Malcolm Larson said it was a “clear-cut case” of firefighters saving a life.
“There’s no doubt they saved his life,” said Larson. “He was minutes from dying from the fire. It was a great rescue they made.”
(continued)

By Milton Times Staff
4/2/09
The town is rallying behind the Belvoir Road family that lost three members after a brother attacked his sisters in their home.
The assailant, who was shot by police, was among those killed March 28.
In a statement posted on the town’s Web site Monday, the Selectmen offered their condolences to the Revelus family and thanked the first responders for taking “courageous and unforgettable action.”
“[They made] the difficult decision to take one life in order to save what lives they could,” the statement said. “The loss and injury of so many beautiful young people in one family by such means is hard to fathom.”
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/2/09
Initial public reaction to a proposed wind-turbine project has been largely positive, according to Richard Kleiman, who chairs the Wind Energy Committee.
According to Kleiman, evidence of that support came at the last public hearing for the proposal, which would have up to two turbines being built at the old landfill site near Granite Links Golf Course at Quarry Hills.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/2/09
The Warrant Committee last week released a “final” override document to Selectmen.
The budget, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, is contingent on voters’ passage of a $3.37 million property tax increase on the June ballot.
The figure would restore some positions that would be lost under a non-contingent budget but would still involve cutting personnel, according to Warrant Committee Chair Tom Hurley.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/2/09
High-density housing may be the only solution for Temple Shalom if the town elects to deny a zoning change for commercial development on its property, Temple officials say.
Planning Board members unanimously declared March 31 that they will vote against the Temple’s article as written. Coverage of that portion of the public hearing will appear next week.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
4/2/09
The main library at 476 Canton Ave., which has been undergoing a $13 million expansion since the summer of 2007, reopens its doors to the public Thursday, April 2, at 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Kidder Branch Library has closed permanently and the East Milton branch will close for a short time as officials prepare for the main library’s grand reopening.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/26/09
The School Committee is worried that an override budget finance officials are proposing won’t be enough to keep from closing an elementary school.
The Warrant Committee two weeks ago set a $3.1 million override budget but last week recalculated its budget and reduced the override to $2.9 million.
“This is an ebb-and-flow process. The numbers are still somewhat in flux,” committee chair Tom Hurley said when contacted by the Times. “We don’t expect that number to change much more.”
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/26/09
The Selectmen will interview three finalists, one of whom will become the new fire chief, over the next month.
The fire chief selection committee, a five-member board, was expected to interview six candidates March 24 and narrow its list down to three.
According to Town Administrator Kevin Mearn, the Selectmen will consider the three candidates in open session and interview them at meetings scheduled for April.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/26/09
Though their eyes may be fixed firmly on budget issues, town officials wouldn’t pass up an opportunity last week to congratulate the Milton High School boys’ basketball team for their recent state-title win.
At the School Committee’s meeting March 18, the recently crowned MIAA Division 2 state-champion Wildcats, along with head coach Sean LoPresti, had an opportunity to show off their trophy and game ball to the TV cameras.
(continued)

3/26/09
The Selectmen reopened the Annual Town Meeting warrant March 19 to include two new articles.
One article asks Town Meeting to expend a portion of the town’s free cash to make up a midyear cut in state aid.
According to Warrant Committee Chair Tom Hurley, the article is needed because the current budget is still out of balance due to the $390,000 cut to the town’s budget, which was part of the governor’s statewide cut announced last month.
Hurley said the town’s budget is still $100,000 out of balance.
(continued)

By Roy Chambers
3/19/09
“Here they come!” was the cry from the large crowd of students and supporters waiting at the entrance of Milton High School.
Sirens sounding and blue lights flashing, the Milton police and fire departments led the large, white coach bus to the front door of the high school. Inside were the 2009 MIAA Division 2 state champions: the Milton Wildcats, who two hours earlier put Milton High on the map by beating the Hoosac Valley Hurricanes, 81-44, in the title game March 14.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/19/09
The Warrant Committee has set a $3.1 million “contingent” override budget for fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1.
The committee also set a balanced FY 10 budget at $72,470,073, which is approximately $1.2 million less than the current budget, according to committee chair Tom Hurley.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/19/09
Temple Shalom’s plan to place retail structures on its land on Route 138 is facing more opposition from neighbors who say the project will create dangerous traffic spikes and ruin the town’s residential character.
More than 100 residents attended the latest public meeting March 12 at the Senior Center, as the Planning Board again considered the Temple’s proposal to sell off most of its land for the construction of two commercial-use buildings.
The meeting was a continuation of the board’s Feb. 26 public hearing, which ended with a long list of residents still waiting their turn to speak.
Many who spoke raised concerns about the potential traffic impact that the proposed development would bring to the area.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/12/09
Three candidates will battle it out to decide the next town treasurer in the April 28 town election.
According to the town clerk’s office, the three candidates vying to replace Kevin Sorgi are James McAuliffe, 103 Wood St.; Charles McCarthy, 37 Landon Road; and Janet Lorden, 333 Brush Hill Road.
The three filed their running papers before Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Three others took out papers to run for treasurer but did not file them, according to the clerk’s office.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/12/09
The makeshift sign hanging outside a New Orleans home said it all.
It read: “Why destroy something so beautiful that people can enjoy when there is so much destruction around us?”
The home, one of the dozens still in disrepair from Hurricane Katrina, lacks the manpower committed to fixing it. Like so many others, it rests hopelessly on its crumbled foundation, waiting for the wrecking ball inevitably to come along.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/12/09
The number of students suspected of being from outside the town is “significant” and requires additional funding, Assistant Superintendent John Phelan told the School Committee.
In the current school year, 24 students have been removed from school, although two were reinstated, one at Pierce and the other at the high school, Phelan told the committee March 3.
According to Phelan’s report, school officials, in conjunction with the Police Department, have already contacted 121 families suspected of false residency this year.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
3/5/09
Faced with an uncertain financial future, officials at Temple Shalom are proposing a commercial-development project as a “last, best solution” to remain in Milton after more than six decades.
The Planning Board opened a public hearing Feb. 26 to hear about the plan, which requires new zoning on the nearly four-acre property on Route 138. It calls for the current Temple to be demolished and a smaller Temple to replace it. Temple Shalom would sell off the rest of the land for the construction of a pharmacy and office/retail building.
(continued)

By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
3/5/09
Tucker Elementary School Principal Drew Echelson has resigned his post.
Echelson will leave the school system in June to pursue his doctorate at Harvard University. According to School Superintendent Mary Gormley, he informed his staff about his decision on Feb. 25 and sent Tucker students home with a letter for their parents the following day.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
3/5/09
A 70-year-old woman who police said suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease was found on Sea Street in Quincy after she wandered 11 miles from her Milton home Feb. 27.
When Suzanne Powers, of 94 Parkwood Drive, was reported missing at around 1 p.m. by her husband, Edward Powers, she had been missing for about three hours. Milton police initiated an emergency reverse-911 phone call alerting residents to her disappearance that initially was sent to residents within a one-mile radius of her home.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
3/5/09
There’s an age-old question about why bad things happen to good people, but sometimes after that, good things happen, too.
Milton High School boys’ varsity head soccer coach Mike Madden is a case in point. Last November, he suffered an unexplained complication during back surgery that left his legs paralyzed. He and his wife, Heidi, both MHS alums, and their five children, Ryan, 14, Savannah, 10, Josh, 8, Annabelle, 4, and Michaela, 5 months, saw their lives completely turned upside-down. They were dealing with adjusting to life with a new baby, as Michaela was only a month-and-a-half at the time.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/26/09
Special Town Meeting was nearly unanimous Feb. 23 in making midyear cuts to the town’s biggest budgets.
The cuts, totaling $290,000 in all, were made to balance the town’s operating budget, which was put nearly $400,000 out of balance earlier in the month after state budget cuts were announced.
As recommended by the Warrant Committee and passed by the vote, the School, Police, Fire and Public Works departments will absorb a $230,000 portion of the state-aid loss. The other $60,000 will come out of the Reserve Fund, which will be reduced from around $580,000 to $520,000.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/26/09
The Selectmen have set June 9 as the date for a special election to pose a Proposition 2 1/2 override to voters.
They say a June date will give them more time to finalize a town budget and keep track of state budget changes, something that is “literally changing on a daily basis” according to Selectman John Shields.
Shields said he also wants to bring the town’s proposed fiscal year 2010 budget to the floor of Annual Town Meeting in May and get the public feeling about proposing increased taxes.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
2/26/09
The ballots have been cast; the votes have been counted. The staff at the Milton Times has enjoyed keeping an eye on what’s hot and what’s not, according to you, our readers.
We asked people to tell us what they thought about Milton and our readers told us they like the community as it is.
Readers commented about the small-town atmosphere with its close proximity to Boston. Other comments included safety, peaceful atmosphere and the friendly and talented people.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/19/09
With discussion ongoing as to how to best develop the Town Farm land on Canton Avenue, officials are denying that a project to build 288 units of 40B housing is seriously being considered.
“I think it’s really outside of the realm of what can be built there,” said Tom Callahan, executive
director of the Boston-based Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), and a resident
of Milton.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
2/19/09
Local real estate agents say contrary to the dire news in other parts of the state, Milton is holding its own in terms of home sales.
“We’re actually pleased right now,” said Beth Rooney, senior vice president/sales manager of Coldwell Banker Residential Services, in Milton. “The median price for single-family homes went up last year, as well as the number sold … so Milton has fared well.”
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/19/09
The town has won a ruling from the state Board of Building Regulations and Standards against the owner of the home at 1253 Canton Ave.
Danielle deBenedictis, a Boston attorney and former resident, was first served with a complaint Oct. 30 from the town’s building department for an alleged building-code violation.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/12/09
Having to operate under roughly the same $86 million budget next year would mean laying off police officers and firefighters.
It would also mean closing the East Milton library and possibly a fire station, Town Administrator Kevin Mearn told Selectmen on Feb. 5.
As a result, officials are no longer just warning department heads about possible personnel cuts, but telling them to “prioritize” the positions they want to save.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/12/09
The main library on Canton Avenue is now set to reopen to the public Thursday, April 2.
According to Library Director Phil McNulty, there have been several delays in the $13 million project, which has more than doubled the size of the original 1904 library.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
2/12/09
Pitchers and catchers are starting to report to spring training this week for Major League Baseball teams, and along with them will be longtime Milton resident Bill Kearns.
Kearns, who has a storied athletic background dating back to his high school days in Watertown, has spent decades as a professional scout for the Seattle Mariners.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
2/5/09
There may be a shortfall in the schools’ budget, but there certainly wasn’t a shortfall of spirit on the floor of the Copeland Field House.
A huge crowd turned out for the student-driven Walk-a-thon, a Jan. 31 fund-raiser to support Milton High School’s spring sports teams and clubs. The event ultimately raised about $32,000; school officials have said nearly $50,000 is needed to save the spring sports and another $30,000 for the clubs-and-activities budget.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/5/09
The town could lose up to $1.3 million next year in state aid, based on the fiscal 2010 state budget Gov. Deval Patrick is proposing.
The Selectmen, on Jan. 28, measured what they are calling the “grim news.”
“It’s a little more stark than we were anticipating,” Selectman John Shields said of the proposed budget cut. “It’s about $300,000 to $400,000 more.”
Shields noted that the state-aid reduction could only be around $935,000 if the governor’s proposed meals tax passes the Legislature, but said the town should “still anticipate not having that.”
Meeting jointly with the Warrant and School committees, Selectmen began considering what type of override they will have to propose to Town Meeting.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
2/5/09
Town officials are now facing a new problem as they go into Special Town Meeting on Feb. 23: a major snow-and-ice deficit.
It was announced at a special joint meeting
Jan. 28 that the town is looking at a $350,000
snow-and-ice budget deficit due to the string of recent winter storms. Warrant Committee Chair
Tom Hurley said that number could reach as a
high as $660,000 by the end of the fiscal year,
June 30.
(continued)

2/5/09
Walter Heller, who has headed up the town’s Department of Public Works for the past three years, has resigned to take a state job.
Heller will leave Feb. 20 to take a management position with MassHighway, overseeing what is expected to be a $3 billion bridge-building project.
Heller, a civil engineer, was hired by the town in April 2003. He became DPW director two years later. He turned in his resignation Feb. 2. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
1/29/09
The brush strokes on the economic picture that are dotted by local businesses vary in intensity and hue. Depending on what the vendor is selling, some are weathering the economic storm better than others.
While no one really wanted to admit the toll the slowdown in the economy is taking, it is fair to say even the strongest have seen some impact to their day-to-day receipts.
“I wouldn’t say it’s suffering, but it’s certainly dropped off a little bit,” said Michael Mignosa, of the Fruit Center Marketplace. “It’s one of those things that affects everybody, to some degree.”
What he has observed is that his loyal customer base is still supportive of his long-standing business, as well as that of A Lighter Fare restaurant, owned by the Mignosas, but those customers are changing their buying habits a bit.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/29/09
The School Committee is supporting putting an override budget before Annual Town Meeting in May.
But as budget deliberations continue to gather steam, the committee is asking for “transparent disclosure” and “details” from all departments.
“I want to see details of how the police, fire and DPW will be impacted” by local aid cuts, School Committee Chair Beirne Lovely said at the committee’s Jan. 20 meeting. “I’m not seeing that right now.”
Lovely said instead of providing detailed financial figures at a joint meeting on Jan. 7, the Selectmen and Warrant Committee “threw out a hypothesis” as
to what the town departments will need in next year’s budget.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/29/09
The Selectmen have voted to extend a town assessment of the 34-acre Gov. Stoughton property on Canton Avenue, which is being studied for potential real estate development.
At their meeting Jan. 22, the board unanimously reappointed the seven-member Gov. Stoughton Trust Land Committee, which they appointed a year ago to begin assessing the land.
According to Gov. William Stoughton’s will, the land must be used to benefit “the poor” of Milton.
The Selectmen are the trustees of the property, and any use of the land must meet with the attorney general’s approval.
(continued)

By Muna L. Killingback
Contributor
1/22/09
At the closing of the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday night, hundreds of residents sang the song, “We are Marching in the Light of God,” together in a spirit of unity and optimism.
The event was hosted by Temple Shalom.
During his welcome, Rabbi Fred Benjamin said, “We are interested in making a difference. We have different voices that speak from different faith communities, but voices that want to work together in harmony.” He noted that the acronym of the interfaith association, MICA, was pronounced the same as the name of ancient prophet Micah, whose call “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk modestly with your God” resonated with the evening’s purpose.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/22/09
School officials may be asking for an override simply to tread water next year.
According to School Committee Chair Beirne Lovely, town-revenue and state-aid estimates are starting to suggest that next year’s school budget could require a nearly $1 million override simply to stay level.
And that doesn’t take into account the $1.8 million needed to honor teacher pay raises and roll-over service costs.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
1/22/09
As members of private golf clubs have tightened the belts on their plus-fours, some clubs are finding themselves with dwindling waiting lists and financial shortfalls.
Wollaston Golf Club, the private club that sits on Randolph Avenue, has become a little bit creative in dealing with the current financial climate. While still holding a wait list numbering around 10 names, the club has seen more members asking for a one-year leave of absence than it has ever experienced in its 114-year history.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/15/09
The Selectmen are on the same page in asking the Special Town Meeting to cut current town budgets.
But an article involving the future of the town treasurer post has them at odds.
At their Jan. 8 meeting, the board opened and closed the warrant for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, Feb. 23.
On the table will be an article asking Town Meeting to support cuts to the current police, fire, public works and school budgets.
(continued)

By Tom Roux
Contributor
1/15/09
With nearly $50,000 still needed by Milton High School to conduct its spring sports, and the Jan. 31 deadline given by the School Committee looming ever closer, dozens of determined administrators, School Committee members, coaches, parents and volunteers are rallying to save the season with several fund-raising plans.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
1/15/09
With the costs of running a home in this financial market at an all-time high, many consumers are looking for ways to save money. But hand-in-hand with that philosophy should be the idea of conservation—both on a personal scale and a global one.
Local architect Henry MacLean has known about conservation and the environmental movement even before there was knowledge of this “truth,” or how “inconvenient” it was. He has worked for over 20 years designing homes to be more energy-efficient, and has brought his own older home into the 21st century with some tweaking and adjustments that make a big difference.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/8/09
The town may lose one of its elementary schools next year.
According to Superintendent Mary Gormley, school officials are considering shutting down one of the four schools if they don’t get the budget they say they need.
Gormley said the school district can expect to lose 40 employees next year if it can’t roll over current services and honor negotiated teacher pay raises.
“It’s our responsibility to tell [the public] what the schools will look like” if that were to occur, she said.
The plan would be to “consolidate” faculty and students from four elementary buildings down to three, Gormley told the School Committee on Jan. 6.
She said she doesn’t know which school would be closed but the “priority” is to minimize the impact on kindergarten and first-grade classrooms.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/8/09
Building permits are on the rise while new homes are leveling off.
The town’s overall number of building permits increased in the first half of fiscal year 2009, while the number of newly permitted homes, three, remained level with the same period in the previous fiscal year.
According to Building Commissioner Joseph Prondak, the Building Department has issued 495 permits since July 1, when FY 09 began. That total is higher than the number in the first half of FY 08, when around 450 permits were issued from July to December 2007.
(continued)

By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
1/8/09
The town has lost the youngest of its Catholic spiritual leaders.
Rev. David F. Ziomek, pastor of St. Elizabeth’s Church, died Dec. 31 after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.
Known to parishioners as “Father David,” Rev. Ziomek had served as pastor since 2005.
“He was a very, very fine, gentle pastor who was very much admired by the people,” said Rev. Thomas Naughton, a Milton native who has served as administrator of the church for the past two months. “He was deeply spiritual, a spiritual, prayerful man, and the parishioners admired him for that. He was also very caring of the sick and the hospitalized.”
Rev. Naughton added that the pastor’s death has been “extremely” hard on the staff at St. Elizabeth’s.
Ellen Cashman, secretary at the church, agreed.
“I can honestly say that everyone here is heartbroken,” she said. “He loved serving here at St. Elizabeth’s. He was a wonderful person, very simple in his approach, but he touched so many lives.
“He once told me that he was an introvert in an extrovert’s position. And that kind of captures him.”
Meanwhile, Rev. Ziomek’s passing also is being felt throughout the broader Catholic community in Milton.
“We’re saddened by his death,” said Rev. Peter Casey, pastor of St. Agatha’s Church. “David was a very peace-filled person, and he shared that in many, many different ways, at St. Elizabeth’s and with the rest of the community, as well.”
(continued)

See Obituary

By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
1/1/09
The family of Milton High School soccer coach Mike Madden is offering thanks to the town for its support since the tragic accident that left him partially paralyzed.
Madden, 37, lost the use of his legs following
a routine back surgery Nov. 7 at New England Baptist Hospital.
“The doctors do not know what they did,” said Lorna DiBona, Madden’s mother-in-law, who has been acting as family spokeswoman and helping her daughter, Heidi Madden, take care of the couple’s five children.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
1/1/09
Department projections for fiscal year 2010 call for the town to spend around $5.7 million more.
But officials are anticipating local aid cuts to next year’s budget and want more conservative spending.
In a budget presentation to Selectmen on Dec. 18, Town Administrator Kevin Mearn included FY 10 department budgets that have been submitted to
his office.
He said the budget projected with all departmental requests would increase spending $5.8 million – from $84.6 million (projected revenue) to $90.3 million
in FY 10.
(continued)

1/1/09
Special Town Meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 23, the Selectmen announced last week.
The Selectmen had planned to open and close the warrant at their Dec. 18 meeting, but Selectman Marion McEttrick was unable to attend due to illness. They will vote on the warrant Jan. 8.
The Selectmen and Warrant Committee plan to ask Town Meeting to cut 10 percent from the state-aid portion of fiscal 2009 budgets for the Police, Fire, Public Works and School department.
The 10 percent cut, which Selectmen now say
is likely, would trim nearly $1 million from the
town’s operating budget, Selectmen Chair Kathy
Fagan said.

– S.M

By J. Michael Whalen
Times Staff
12/25/08
Officials at Temple Shalom of Milton are hoping to hold a second neighborhood meeting about the retail plans for their Route 138 property as early as next month.
Paul Etkind, the former congregation president
who is acting as spokesman for the project, said a meeting hopefully will be held immediately after the holiday season.
“After the new year is probably the earliest we’ll
be able to set something up,” he said in a phone interview with the Times. “Early January would be our target date.”
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
12/25/08
She’s spirited, opinionated and passionate about her causes, but at the same time, Maralin Manning has brought a sense of style to everything she’s done. And she has more energy than women half her age, while she’s at it.
Looking at her, it’s hard to believe Manning has been adding to a briefcase-full of experience for over six decades. Her résumé could double as a small novel, which would include chapters on the ins-and-outs of the fashion industry; the nuances of teaching; mentoring women in the business world; dedicating hours to volunteering efforts; political savvy; how-to business tips; and even fighting town hall.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/25/08
Fostering more parent involvement and creating transparency are what Cunningham Elementary School Principal Christine Gerber says her school
is doing to create a better environment for students and parents.
“After reviewing the 2007 MCAS assessment data, it became evident that parents were not familiar with how our current curriculum aligns with [state standards],” Gerber said in a report to the School Committee last week.
(continued)

By Pat Desmond
12/18/08
Kevin Sorgi, who has served the town for 28 years as treasurer/collector, will not run for re-election in the April town election.
He handles the finances of a $80 million operation - it wasn’t a figure he expected to be working with when he began as a police officer in 1972. He did a nine-year stint as a patrolman before deciding to run for the opening.
The treasurer before him was Harry Scanlon, who served three years and then chose not to run for re-election. Sorgi was one of three candidates who ran for the post in 1981. The other two are Charles Mahoney and Jerry Anglin.
(continued)

By Anne Comber
12/18/08
The Milton Foundation for Education recently helped the school system hire Christopher Masalsky as a grant writer whose sole responsibility will be to identify and secure new sources of revenue for the public schools.
The MFE will fund the position through a restricted grant for up to three years. Masalsky is expected to start work in mid-December and will focus on soliciting grants from foundations and private donors.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/18/08
Police Chief Richard G. Wells has seen much – both the good and bad in people during his 20-plus years in uniform.
But one thing he has maintained through it all has been his compassion.
Compassion for job and people – this is just one of the traits Wells has carried with him as he has climbed the ranks of the department.
“These are the virtues I try to instill in young officers coming up the ranks,” he told the Rotary Club in an unscripted speech last week.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/11/08
School officials are seeking to attract major corporations to take part in Copeland Field House banner sales.
Addressing the School Committee Dec.2, Superintendent Mary Gormley said she has been discussing with one parent the possibility of starting a major advertising campaign at the field house that would involve a Boston advertising firm.
The goal, she said, is to raise the nearly $50,000 that officials are expecting to need in addition to Milton Boosters’ fundraising to maintain spring sports.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/11/08
The School Committee last week approved a fiscal 2010 budget that calls for $2.2 million in additional funding.
The FY 10 budget of $34,215,591, voted unanimously by the committee on Dec.2, is about seven percent more than the current budget.
It would cover costs for projected enrollment growth, decreased revenue and the need for MCAS improvement, according to Superintendent Mary Gormley.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
12/11/08
As the price of gas has dropped dramatically over the last month or so, people challenge themselves to find the best price. The sight of gas station billboards flirting with $1 makes it seem like gas is a bargain. But the volatility of gas prices has station owners hard-pressed to keep up.
This week prices in town varied by over 20 cents-a-gallon at the town’s four gas stations, which may cause you to scratch your head as you drive around to save a few cents-a-gallon.
(continued)

By Tom Roux
Contributor
12/11/08
As a young boy, growing up in Lowell, Rev. Robert “Bob” Poitras knew he wanted to be a priest as early as grammar school, and began saying as much from that point on.
Even though his career path veered briefly before correcting course and arriving at his lifelong calling, Fr. Bob, as he likes to be called, is clearly a man who has always been filled with great faith.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/4/08
Curry College has withdrawn its request for a variance to build a new dormitory after meeting opposition from the neighborhood and from the Selectmen.
The decision to withdraw the plan came just before the board of appeals was about to begin a second public hearing on the plan.
The dorm – planned as a three-story, 50-foot tall structure on the south side of campus near Milton Street – met with resistance from neighbors who say it would change the look and feel of the neighborhood. Construction above 35 feet requires a variance from the board of appeals.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Times Staff
12/4/08
Many holiday concerts and events are filling up the social calendar for the seasonal days ahead, but three Milton men will be concentrating on one festive occasion. Bruce Alexander, Linus Travers, and Philip Robertson all belong to a men’s *group known as Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus, a 70-voice all-male singing group. Original choral tradition groups were all male, and Saengerfest is one of the last of this type. It is rare to hear a large, all-male choral group in this day and age.
(continued)

(Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two part series about the priests of St. Agatha Parish.)
By Tom Roux
Contributor
12/4/08
Described by some as an “older priest,” the Rev. Peter J. Casey of St. Agatha Parish much prefers the term “seasoned pastor.”
Actually, the phrase is an appropriate description for a man who has seen nearly 41 years of life’s triumphs and challenges through the kind eyes of a spiritual advisor. Over that impressive span of time, Fr. Casey has acquired much wisdom, developed well-respected leadership skills, and deepened a personal well of faith – all three of which he regularly draws upon to share generously with any and all who ask of him.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/26/08
Residential property tax bills will jump about three percent this year, according to Jeff d’Ambly, the town’s chief appraiser.
A single family will pay $202 more on average if the new property tax plan is approved by the Department of Revenue.
The Selectmen voted Thursday, Nov. 20, unanimous approval of the tax plan, which would raise residential tax from $10.95 to $11.74 per $1,000 of assessed value.
If approved, the plan will also decrease the tax rate on commercial property from $18.96 to $17.95. But because the valuations of commercial property have increased, the actual tax paid will increase. The average commercial bill would go from $12,749 last year to $12,890.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/26/08
There have been six incidents of underage tobacco sales in town since September, according to Health Director Michael Blanchard.
Milton Fuel and Milton Gas on Granite Avenue are among the repeat offenders.
Tobacco compliance checks are given three times annually. The town is part of the SmokeFree Communities Project (SFCP), which also includes Belmont, Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown and Wellesley. All of these towns have the same tobacco officer.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/26/08
School officials may eliminate spring sports at the high school if the town can’t raise an additional $100,000.
“We’ve come to a breaking point,” Superintendent Mary Gormley told the School Committee Nov. 18. “It’s a huge number we have to fundraise.”
The athletics program costs about $550,000 per year to run. Only $198,000 of the cost is funded in the school budget.
The program depends on $142,000 from fundraising and gifts to maintain its teams.
(continued)

By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Times Staff
11/26/08
As the holidays approach, families will soon gather for celebrations and feasts. Even with the current economic mood, Thanksgiving is a time of abundance, as few will actually skimp when it comes to the size of the bird that serves as the traditional centerpiece of the meal.
It is also a time when people tend to think about those less fortunate, especially in our own community. Already, Diane Ferrari, of the Milton Residents Fund, has started to distribute her list of needs to the schools for the annual holiday gift-giving drive to help low-income residents. This year, over 150 families, including 183 children, are eligible for the services of the fund, as well as utilizing the Milton Food Pantry. This number has increased by approximately 30 families since last year.
(continued)

By Tom Roux
Contributor
11/20/08
After three years of planning and $3.5 million, St. Agatha Church is beginning a new chapter.
“Just beautiful.” “A wonderful transformation.” These and other glowing remarks were shared among the 200+ guests who attended a recent open house celebrating the completed renovation of the lower church of St. Agatha Catholic Parish, located on Adams Street.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/20/08
Starting next month, the Selectmen will begin carrying laptop computers to their meetings.
MPEG Access is using the computers, and will install two 40-inch monitors in the Selectmen’s conference room at town hall, as part of the launch of the town’s cable access coverage.
“It’s going to be state of the art,” said Bernie Lynch, MPEG president. “This is really going to change how people at home view government and educational programming.”
(continued)

By Tom Roux
Contributor
11/20/08
It’s 7 a.m. and once again the sudden roar of starting diesel engines shakes the weekday silence like a house-sized alarm clock. Indeed, since mid-August, there has been no need for personal wake-up calls in a small neighborhood just south of Tucker Elementary School. Everyone there knows that the roar is simply the sound of the construction crew beginning their daily task of continuing to upgrade the water main.
(continued)

By Pat Desmond
Times Staff
11/13/08
In 1958 the Milton Rotary Club created a ceramic tile wall in what was at that time the latest library addition. The club members used the work of the children of the town’s public schools.
That wall was destroyed to make way for the new library expansion, which opens in February. But the concept of the work of the children as the support for the institution wasn’t smashed with the old tiles.
Last weekend hundreds of third and fourth graders from the community gathered at Pierce Middle School to recreate the tile wall, one ceramic piece at a time.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/13/08
The scene at the Baron Hugo Gazebo Nov. 11 was one of celebration and gratitude as the town stopped to honor its own on Veterans Day.
Many dozens braved a cold November day to be a part of Veterans Day, which this year marked the 90th anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I.
The beat of drums could be heard from Randolph Avenue, where the day began with a parade at the Town Yard, to Canton Avenue, on the green at town hall, where the town gathered to hear discussion and prayer.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/6/08
Like the rest of the state, voters in Milton backed President-Elect Barack Obama. Roughly 86 percent of town’s voters turned out Tuesday to make their voice heard on an election day that saw the nation elect its first black president, Barack Obama.
The 86-percent turnout was only slightly less than the 88 percent predicted by Town Clerk James Mullen, and it is a marked increase from the 2004 election, when 83 percent of voters turned out to choose between George Bush and John Kerry.
Overall, 15,542 residents (out of 18,037 registered voters) cast a ballot – 9,444 votes went to Obama and 5,743 to McCain.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/6/08
Construction at the Milton Public Library main branch on Canton Avenue will wrap up in a few weeks, but it will take a few more months to finish the fine points.
The grand re-opening is scheduled for early February, according to Library Director Phil McNulty.
The main branch has been closed since June, 2007, when construction began on an expansion project adding12,600 square-feet to the structure.
The project, according to McNulty, is designed to increase space at the building, offering comfort and modernization to residents who use the library.
He said the goal is to make it “a contemporary library that can function as a kind of community or cultural center.”
(continued)

By Pat Desmond
Times Staff
10/30
An 88% voter turnout is predicted for the Nov. 4 Presidential Election by Town Clerk James Mullen.
Polls in the 11 precincts will be open from 7 a.m.
to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
There are more than 18,000 residents registered to vote and while there have been times when registration hit the same figures, this is a high point.
When George Bush ran against John Kerry in 2004, there were 17,924 voters registered and 14,941 votes cast. That year the turnout was 83%. (Incidentally Kerry took the local vote.)
In 2000, when President Bush ran against Al Gore, there were 17,241 voters registered and 14,486 voters turned out.
When George Walker Bush ran against Michael Dukakis in 1988, there were 17,456 voters registered and 15,447 votes cast. (Bush took the local vote.)
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/30/08
Town officials are beginning to talk about how state budget cuts will affect the town.
Recent budget cuts announced by Gov. Deval Patrick, including an $822.5 million slashing of the state’s budget, did not include cuts to Milton’s state aid as some had feared.
It did include cuts in funding to Milton Hospital’s Geriatric Program, which saw its grant cut in half (from $300,000 to $150,000), and the Trailside Museum, which was cut from $425,000 to $125,000.
In the completely eliminated column were: state funding for a planned arts and cultural center in town; money for the Blue Hills Park Ranger Mounted Unit and the next phase of the clean-up at Pine Tree Brook.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/23/08
The Special Town Meeting voted Oct. 20 pay raises for town department heads and unionized library workers.
The department heads will receive a two-percent raise. It will cost $58,000,for the 32 individuals involved in this fiscal year. Town Meeting voted against giving this group a raise back in May.
State Sen. Brian Joyce supported the raises at the meeting, saying the raises are “modest” and town employees deserve them.
“These are the people who are going to get us through these tough economic times,” he said.
The Warrant Committee opposed giving department heads raises. Chairman Tom Hurley said it was a difficult decision.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/23/08
The average lifespan of a jackrabbit in the wild is five years.
However, that doesn’t deter one particular jackrabbit out there from hopping its way well past the five-year mark.
It’s a business after all, and businesses need to keep hopping along in order to stay afloat, especially these days.
Jackrabbit Design recently hopped its way from Allston into its new home in East Milton, at
333 Edgehill Road.
(continued)

By Kathy Ferrari
Times Staff
10/23/08
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close Chickatawbut Road, which crosses the Blue Hills Reservation in Quincy and Milton, from Monday, Nov. 3 through Friday, Nov. 21, so the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) can continue its construction work in the Reservation.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/16/08
While the TV cameras captured the scene at town hall Oct. 13, Selectmen began planning how the town can weather the current financial storm.
Tom Hurley, chair of the Warrant Committee, said he will take the information back to his committee. His committee voted last month to recommend $103,000 for two new teachers but decided against any other appropriations from the town’s free cash.
The immediate result of the meeting is a hiring freeze on departments under the control of Selectmen.
The Selectmen are asking the departments they do not control to take similar action.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/16/08

(See our 10/16/08 print edition for detailed charts)

Spring MCAS results show some student groups falling behind the state average in math and English language arts (ELA).
The MCAS scores were released last week. They show that Pierce Middle School and Tucker Elementary are failing to make adequate yearly progress. Both schools are falling behind in the African American and low-income student subgroups, with Pierce also falling behind in special education.
Both schools are already working on strategies for students falling behind. Tucker is required to revise its two-year improvement plan. In 2006 Tucker first failed to score adequately in math.
(continued)

By Marjorie Jeffries
10/16/08
News Flash! The town of Milton has just acquired a new official building, without a referendum vote and without raising taxes!
What building, you ask? What is it for? Where is it? When was it constructed? Who paid for it? To answer these classic questions we need to back track to the thinking that led us to the acquisition of this brand new building.
(continued)

10/16/08
The School Committee voted last week to allow MPEG Access to run the town’s cable programming from Pierce Middle School, where Comcast once had its studio.
The nonprofit MPEG group signed a contract last year with the town and will take over cable access when Comcast pulls back its coverage in a few weeks.
MPEG purchased new cable equipment last week and is preparing to set up its studio at Pierce. It has a 10-year contract with the Selectmen.
“We’re really excited about the partnership that lies ahead for us,”
(continued)

By Pat Desmond
Times Staff
10/9/08
Property values in town have dropped about 4 percent, according to the latest valuation figures available from the assessors’ office.
The new appraisal figures will be used in compiling the next tax bill, which will be issued before the start of next year.
But taxpayers can expect their bills to increase slightly when the new tax rate is set. The total amount spent by the town has increased and so the new tax rate will increase to account for the higher town budget. It will also increase to account for the lower assessments.
(continued)

By First Congregational Church
10/9/08
For the first time since the 1950s the First Congregational Church has over 100 children enrolled in Sunday School.
“We are really excited because this has been the result of a long re-building process over the past several years,” said Rev. Jeffrey Johnson. “We started with eight children in 1993 and wondered if we would survive - regenerating the numbers and enthusiasm of the 1950s wasn’t even on our radar screen. When we reached 60 children back in 2001, we voted to take the plunge and build our new addition that also houses the Centre School during the week. It was a risk, but we wouldn’t have had room for all of these children had we not taken it.”
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/9/08
The town is moving to address the continuing concern with a lack of parking in East Milton Square.
Selectmen appointed 13 people to the new group Oct. 6 and one more committee member will be added in the near future.
The group will assess current parking and traffic patterns in the square and develop measures for improvement. They will hold monthly public meetings.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
10/9/08
There have been two recent dog bites at Cunningham Park in the past six weeks, despite a town leash law and private security at the park.
Both of the dogs involved came from outside the community.
One incident occurred on Sunday, Sept. 21. Dolores Craig-Shea says a family member was bit by a Doberman pincher while riding a bike in the park. Three Dobermans were reportedly roaming unleashed that day.
“They were just walking around without leashes and it was dangerous,” said Shea.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
10/2/08
Stone Park, a restaurant proposed at 550 Adams St., won its liquor license from Selectmen last week but provisions limit how much liquor can be sold.
The board granted the license after two sessions of a public hearing but made it clear they don’t want to see the establishment become a drinking spot.
“This is a big concern. It’s a major shakeup,” said Selectmen John Shields at the hearing Sept. 25.
Conditions include a 25-percent revenue cap on alcohol sales and a 22-seat capacity at the bar. The bar will serve a full menu but the license limits patrons to two drinks while waiting for a table.
“That way it won’t attract people to sit at the bar and drink,” said Bob Sheffield, an attorney representing Vance Welch in the business venture.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
10/2/08
After a career of 30 years on the police force, Deputy Police Chief Charles Paris would like to pass on some wisdom he’s picked up. Success is all about attitude.
He said his work “puts life in perspective.”
“It shows what’s important. You realize a lot of people have it a lot worse. You see a lot of people in bad situations.”
Paris, who grew up in Milton and now lives in Braintree, said there aren’t too many things he hasn’t seen or dealt with. Still, he downplays his contributions to keeping the town’s streets safe and declines to tell war stories.
“You don’t dwell on ancient history,” he said. “It’s not a big deal. That’s what we get paid to do.”
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
10/2/08
Boston Baptist College plans to build two new dorms on the Milton side of its Metropolitan Avenue campus.
Randy Ward, vice president of operations, says the dorms are needed to house new students who have enrolled.
“The goal here is comfort. We want to give the most comfortable housing to our students,” he said.
Around 120 students are enrolled at the college, which teaches and trains men and women seeking to enter the ministry.
Joe Sawyer, director of community relations, described the school as a “best kept secret.”
“We’re small, we’re tucked away, but we’re a strong environment,” he says.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
9/25/08
After much discussion, the Selectmen decided last week that the new animal shelter will be constructed at the DPW yard on Randolph Avenue.
Town officials have considered several locations in town for the shelter, which was first proposed by the Milton Animal League (MAL) more than five years ago.
The Selectmen settled on the DPW yard because they said it is a location they can best control and monitor.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
9/25/08
In the midst of a slowing economy, many housing markets across the country are feeling the heat of financial downturn.
That is not the case in Milton, however. Real estate people in town say homes are still selling well and often. They say it’s the location and the infrastructure that is making this town different.
“It bodes well for the town’s market,” says Tim Corcoran of Corcoran Brokerage. “I think it’s due to the great improvement to our infrastructures. We’re seeing fewer and fewer people leaving the town.”
Matt Freeman of GKR Residential says the national outlook may not seem bright, but the town continues to enjoy a good housing market.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/25/08
Mimi Sundstrom - Republican State Committee Woman – watched her party’s national convention at home on TV this year.
Sundstrom said you can’t beat being there and getting buried in the balloons.
But even a person with her political background doesn’t get a free pass to St. Paul, the heartland of the Republican Convention.
“Some of this stuff you actually have to go to the convention and observe,” she said.
“It’s disappointing because it’s not easy,” she said about becoming a delegate. “You have to essentially get the bodies there. There was no way I was actually going to win.”
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/25/08
Emma Russell – the 8-year-old goodwill ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association – has appeared on the Jerry Lewis Telethon three times and has given speeches to crowds of hundreds. Now she’s bringing her activist spirit to the streets of her hometown.
Earlier this month Emma led a “Pass the Boot” campaign at Granite Avenue and Squantum Street with members of the fire department. Together, they collected almost $4,500 from drivers, a remarkable amount according to Jim Sharland, district director of the MDA.
(continued)

9/25/08
The fire department is running all shifts at full capacity after regularly taking one engine out of service last fiscal year to contend with budget shortfalls.
Fire Chief Malcolm Larson said this year’s budget allows all three engines to be in service on all shifts. However, he cautioned that the situation is tenuous.
“There really isn’t much room in the budget if there are unforeseen expenses,” he said.
Starting about one year ago, one-third of the department’s shifts ran with only two engines and the ladder truck after funding ran out. The start of the new fiscal year in July allowed a return to full strength.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
9/18/08
The Planning Board approved a site plan last week for Vance Welch’s proposed restaurant at 550 Adams St. in East Milton Square.
Welch will now bring the proposal before the Selectmen. A public hearing on the liquor license request happens at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Council on Aging building, 10 Walnut St.
“We anticipate and hope that the Selectmen can sign off on this soon,” said Bob Sheffield, the attorney representing Welch, at the Sept. 11 Planning Board meeting.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/18/08
Starting with two new cruisers and the supervisor’s SUV, the police department’s fleet is in the middle of an image overhaul back to the traditional black and white.
The look of the Crown Victoria police cars has not changed since the early 1990s, said Police Chief Richard Wells. The new paint job blends the time-honored colors with a sleek, modern style.
“I wanted a car that was very sharp and had a distinctive graphic,” he said.
Wells said over the past five years many municipalities in the state have been returning to black and white and more than 70 percent now sport the color scheme. It’s a way of distinguishing local police from the variety of other emergency cars around.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/18/08
A series of gas leaks on Meadowview Road last week sent the gas company scrambling and left neighbors thinking, “what if?”
While performing routine checks in the neighborhood, National Grid workers detected natural gas near the home of Hyacinth and Oliver Crichlow. A leak was identified and the company had to shut off the gas and start digging. The work began Friday, Sept. 5, and lasted through the weekend and into the next week.
(continued)

By Anne Comber
9/18/08
The Milton Foundation for Education (MFE) will be underwriting the cost of a part-time grant writer in order to identify and secure new sources of funding for the public schools.
The MFE will fund the position through a restricted grant for up to three years. The grant writer will be responsible for soliciting grants from foundations and private donors.
According to Erika Donahue, MFE president, hiring a grant writer represents a significant commitment for the foundation, but the board fully supported the proposal.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
9/11/08
Selectmen reopened the warrant of the Oct. 20 Special Town Meeting to include an School Committee article seeking $154,000 to hire three teachers for MCAS improvement.
Around $460,000 in free cash is available for town use, according to Town Administrator Kevin Mearn.
School officials say the additional money is needed to respond to a new Department of Education report that lists Pierce and Tucker as schools in need of improvement.
Selectman John Shields expressed concern about additional costs in hiring three new school employees. He cited health insurance as an additional expenditure that will need to come from “other departments outside the school budget.”
“We only have the $400,000 in free cash to get us through to next June,” he added. “This is a big chunk out of that.”
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/11/08
The community was well-represented last month as the Democratic party rallied the troops at its national convention in Denver and began gearing up for the campaign this fall.
Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and Democratic State Committeewoman Patricia Armstrong were all in attendance and part of the historic moment that saw the nation choose its first African-American presidential candidate.
“It was overwhelming,” said Forry about Barack Obama’s nomination. “So many people have died or got beat up or sent to jail to get where we are now. We’ve come a long way and I think that speaks to us as Americans.”
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/11/08
Regular testing recently detected a bird-biting mosquito in town carrying the West Nile virus and officials are warning residents to take precautions.
“People must be vigilant,” said Board of Health member Roxanne Musto. “People should use protective measures when they go outside. Really, until we get a frost there is a danger.”
John Smith, director of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project (NCMCP), said an analysis of the contents of a trap set up to catch the bird-biting Culex pipiens species indicated at least one of the bugs was carrying the virus. The trap catches up to 50 mosquitoes.
(continued)

By Pat Desmond
Times Staff
9/4/08
Gov. Deval Patrick toured Milton High this week, talking about his ideas for school system change to a way of learning to a “readiness program” based on skills.
He was clear that he agrees there is an over-reliance on the property tax. He has his doubts about standardized testing and believes the state funding formula for public schools “is broken.”
School Superintendent Mary Gormley arranged a group of town officials, parents and school administrators to meet the governor and Education Secretary Paul Reville at the start of his Sept. 3 tour. They brought him applause and a standing ovation for his comments.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
9/4/08
An article for the Oct. 20 special Town Meeting has the School Committee and Selectmen at odds.
Selectmen propose taking back some school budget funds due to new state reimbursement. The School Committee says this would mean money they had anticipated might not be available.
“I just don’t like it,” said School Committee Chair Beirne Lovely on Aug. 26. “I don’t recall being approached about (the committee’s) interest in this article. It makes it unnecessarily confrontational for us.”
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
9/4/08
A project in the works could extend the Neponset River bike path down Central Avenue to Brook Road.
The project, now under review by the state, renovates Central Avenue starting at Maple Street and adds tree lawns on both sides and between the bike path and the road. It will be presented publicly for comment during the next phase of planning.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Walter Heller said he would like to begin the project next summer, though it may have to wait until 2010 or later depending on the process and funding.
The Neponset River Trail starts in Dorchester
and dead-ends near the T-stop on Central Avenue. Plans to continue the path down the river toward Mattapan have met resistance. The Department
of Conservation and Recreation is moving
forward with plans for a leg down Truman Highway to Hyde Park.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
8/28/08
As town officials begin to reexamine the process of plowing private roads, some residents are coming forward with issues over planned cutbacks.
Around two dozen residents, many of whom live on private ways, packed the John A. Cronin Conference Room to join the discussion at last Thursday’s Selectmen meeting.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
8/28/08
A special Town Meeting session will take place on Monday, Oct. 20: the warrant will hold 10 articles.
The Selectmen opened and closed
the warrant at its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21.
One article would give the Selectmen authority to petition for legislation to provide retirement and medical benefits to injured firefighter Tony Pickens. The town currently pays the salary for Pickens, who was severely injured by a drunk driver while on duty. If enacted, the legislation would allow the town to move his pay to a pension plan, freeing up fire department salary.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
8/28/08
As oil prices rise, banks foreclose and financial institutions receive government bailouts, investments may be the farthest from your mind. It’s the job of Edward Jones financial planner Lucas McGary to convince you otherwise.
“The market’s cyclical,” he said. “You buy at the funeral and sell at the wedding. This is the best time to get in.”
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
8/21/08
As students ready to return to the classroom next week, a new leadership team enters Pierce Middle School.
The School Committee spoke with Principal James Jette and Assistant Principal Karen Spaulding at the Aug. 12 meeting. Jette has served as assistant principal at Pierce since 2003, serving under then Principal John Phelan, who is now assistant superintendent. Spaulding, who is new to Milton schools, has taught science at the middle school level since 1991. She has worked at the Asa P. Morse Elementary School in Cambridge since 1994, serving as assistant principal since 2002.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
8/21/08
The 10 years of school building is almost over but residents living near the middle school will suffer for a few more weeks.
Though construction is nearly complete, the new Pierce Middle School parking lot and pick-up and drop-off loops won’t be open for the start of school.
Cars will be prohibited in the area as work is completed, according to School Building Committee Chair Charles Winchester. The parking lot will be “basically finished,” he said, though smaller tasks could remain.
(continued)

8/21/08
State lawmakers recently overrode Gov. Deval Patrick’s vetoes, putting $100,000 for Pine Tree Brook cleanup as well as a $50,000 planning grant for an arts center back in the state budget.
According to a statement from the governor, he vetoed the earmarks last month in the interest of fiscal restraint during national economic uncertainty. Included with the vetoes were notes that explained the Milton appropriations were specifically slashed because they were not included in Patrick’s original budget recommendation.
(continued)

By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
8/21/08
If you are looking to be pampered with the expertise of a Newbury Street salon, you can skip the trip now that Eclipse Salon has opened in Milton Village.
David Thompson packed up his shop after 20 years on the street of style and moved into the old Jack Conway Realty space near the post office.
He was able to keep almost all of his employees from the full-service salon. Four of the staff have at least 25 years of experience – and is excited about the change.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
8/14/08
Water rates are increasing in the double digits for the highest users.
Although the average water rate increase could be 3.1 percent for households with low water use, people using the highest amount of water will see their bills go up 13.2 percent.
The sewer rate increase is closer to 1 percent, according to officials.
A new four-tier rate system, which is effective immediately, was approved by Selectmen at its Aug. 7 meeting. It separates consumers into four user groups based on water and sewer usage. Until now there were only two rates.
(continued)

By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
8/14/08
Selectmen announced at its Aug. 7 meeting that a Town Meeting session is likely to take place on Monday, Oct. 20.
No warrant articles have yet been drafted, but Town Administrator Kevin Mearn says a draft will likely be in the works after Selectmen firm up the date at its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21.
For now, he calls the Town Meeting 90 percent likely.
“Nothing is set in stone yet. It’s all just tentative at this point,” he says.
(continued)

By Pat Desmond
Times Staff
8/14/08
Jim Harney says he is just trying to make one last effort to focus attention on the plight of the persecuted.
He stopped to rest overnight in Milton at the home of Linda MacKay last week as part of his Walk for the Undocumented.
He may not come back. Harney is living with cancer and expects that six months or a year from now, the cancer will win.
“This walk is a spiritual journey for me - a healing journey,” he said.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
8/7/08
About $180,000 is available in the school budget for this year due to the new teachers’ contract which was signed in June.
A portion of the funds will restore a guidance counselor position at the high school and the middle school librarian. Both were eliminated during budgets cuts. There were 17 positions cut in this year’s budget. About 12 full time equivalent teaching positions were eliminated.
About $500,000 was set aside for teacher salaries in this school budget.
The terms of the contract as well as some retirements and resignations will make $150,000 to $180,000 available, according to Assistant Superintendent Paul Hilton.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
8/7/08
The new fiscal year began only several weeks ago, but town officials are already looking ahead to the next fiscal year and the possibility of an Proposition 21/2 override.
The Warrant Committee had one meeting in July and new chair Tom Hurley said override discussions have begun.
“In terms of the Warrant Committee, our duty is to bring a balanced budget to Town Meeting,” he said. “If we feel an override is necessary, we would bring two budgets.”
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
7/31/08
Vance Welch’s plan to bring fine dining to East Milton Square with a restaurant called “Stone Park” at the former Video-To-Go location, 550 Adams St., has some residents worried about potential parking problems.
The residents attended the Planning Board’s initial review on July 24 of the proposed American-style restaurant, which had its liquor license approved by the governor earlier this week.
Welch says he expects the restaurant to feature 128 seats at ground level and 32 private-dining seats in the basement.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
7/31/08
One month into her tenure as school superintendent, Mary Gormley is facing a challenge from two parents critical of the school assignment for their children.
Gormley says a number of last year’s Glover kindergarten students were moved to new schools for the upcoming school year to even out first grade class sizes. Gillian Buckley and Robert Cargill want their children to stay at Glover instead of being bused to Collicot.
“I have 20 kids in my neighborhood who all go to Glover and (my child) is going to be an outcast,” says Buckley.
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By Jon Prestage
Editor
7/24/08
Several hundred people—many of them town residents—joined Gov. Deval Patrick in a town hall-style meeting that the governor hoped would help him communicate with residents in what he called an “unfiltered” way.
The gathering held on Monday, July 21, at the Baron Hugo Gazebo was the fifth in a series of such events throughout the state, but this one was different in one key respect: Milton is the governor’s home.
Mixed with sometimes tough questions from both Milton residents and others from out of town was a sense that the governor was among his neighbors and friends. Patrick arrived amid hugs and greetings, congratulations for his achievements, and neighborly reminiscences about his mother, who died before seeing him become governor.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
7/24/08
Both Kathy Fagan and John Shields called for a new town master plan in their recent campaigns for Selectmen, and a citizens’ petition demanded one at this year’s Town Meeting. Consensus is building that Milton needs an official roadmap to guide it into the future, and officials are ready to try to make it happen.
The Town Meeting petition was withdrawn by its supporters, who say they want to work in concert with town officials on a new plan and not in opposition.
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By Daniela Caride
Contributor
7/24/08
Residents Donald Greene and Mary Nee are part of a dynamic group of people who reinvented the “Friends of the Shattuck Shelter,” a 24-year-old program out of Lemuel Shattuck Hospital.
They transformed the shelter into the third largest homeless organization in Boston, serving an average of 3,500 people a year, and they changed its name to “hopeFound.”
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
7/17/08
Plans for Vance Welch’s East Milton Square restaurant, which includes 160 seats, 60 more than originally proposed, will receive an initial review by the Planning Board on Thursday, July 24.
Welch says 25 or 30 of the extra seats would be located in the basement of the 550 Adams St. building, formerly Video-To-Go, which would be used as a private room available for rent.
Planning Board Chair Emily Innes says she is concerned about parking for the restaurant, which the board will scrutinize at the public hearing. Welch says he has an agreement with the Falconi building owners to use the parking lot next door during evenings.
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By David Vishniac
Franklin Pierce University Sports Director
7/17/08
The pain was getting worse and worse.
It was so bad that it was taking away from freshman year for Tony Catinella at Franklin Pierce. But the sight of his blood covering his bed and clothes one night during winter break was the most terrifying night in his life.
It was the end of the fall semester for Catinella, a member of Milton High class of 2005. The budding sports journalist was enjoying the early stages of college life, except for the pain he suffered during that first semester. The energetic and athletic student began feeling pain on the right side of his jaw. He assumed that the cause of the pain was his wisdom teeth and decided it was time to have them taken out. He scheduled an appointment over winter break. During the dental examination, doctors found something unidentifiable in his mouth. They conducted a biopsy of his jaw to find out what was wrong.
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By Brittany Peats
Contributor
7/17/08
Town hall will remain open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays and close at noon on Fridays during the month of August to save energy. Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The change, which starts on Aug. 4, is on a trial basis, says Selectmen Chair Kathy Fagan, as an effort to cut fuel costs, so the town will not need to pay to air condition an almost empty building during Friday afternoons.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
7/10/08
School officials are encouraging coaches to get involved academically with their players by monitoring classroom performance and offering support.
Superintendent Mary Gormley and Milton High Principal John Drottar say the relationship between sports and academic success in high school is well established through research and their experiences. They take this into account when they interview coaches.
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
7/10/08
This year’s Independence Day may not have been the quintessential, pitch-perfect summer’s afternoon for barbecues and baseball, but no matter: grey skies above did not dampen the high spirits and patriotism on our nation’s 232nd birthday.
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By Julie Fay
Contributor
7/10/08
Milton Hospital was in the news this spring for unveiling cutting-edge technology in its surgical department. The daVinci robot is making some gynecological and urological surgeries easier for surgeons as well as decreasing recovery times for patients.
But an even wider-ranging technological advance was implemented one year ago this month at the hospital that has the potential of touching every patient, not just those requiring particular procedures.
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7/10/08
Gov. Deval Patrick will formally reach out to local residents as part of his five-week town hall-style meeting tour announced on July 2.
The governor has scheduled a town hall-style meeting for Milton on Monday, July 21, at 6 p.m., although the location for the meeting was not yet announced.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
7/3/08
Town Meeting authorized a restaurant liquor license for Milton Landing and Esprit du Vin’s Keith Mills years ago. More recently, licenses for Java Jo’s and a planned building in Milton Village were sent to the State House for approval. However, getting a new liquor license in town is a lengthy process and requires jumping over a series of hurdles.
Though not one of the 12 dry towns in the state, Milton has restricted its ability to grant pouring liquor licenses and is among only a few municipalities in the state that must petition the State House through home rule petitions to pass legislation each time it wants to hand out a license.
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
7/3/08
Detective Unit Commander Charles Paris was named deputy chief of the police department at the Selectmen meeting on June 26. Paris is a 30-year veteran of the force.
“He has excelled at every job he’s had,” says Selectman John Shields. “There are any number of great men and women at the department who could have (been appointed deputy chief). But this is certainly well deserved.”
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
7/3/08
A $1 million appropriation for a Milton Center for the Performing Arts has been included in a bond bill passed in the Senate.
Some possibilities for the center include plays, musicals, films and conducting classes in all art forms and hosting the local access cable television studios. The center would allow residents to not only attend the various productions but also actively participate in them.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
6/26/08
As school officials finalize the department’s spending for the upcoming school year, they seek significant donations from the community to maintain the sports program.
The amount needed will surpass last year’s approximately $75,000 in community contributions.
The Boosters are confident the money can be raised again, however, the program’s increasing reliance on fees in order for students to play is causing concerns among school officials.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
6/26/08
Town officials stress that traffic changes to Granite Avenue—which narrows the road from two to one lane at Wood Street—are only temporary at this point.
A final decision will be made following a traffic study that is currently underway.
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
6/26/08
Newly elected School Committee Member Kristan Bagley Jones, who heads a sub-committee focused on communications, says she has received an overwhelming level of mail from parents and residents regarding what many see as problematic communications between schools, the committee and parents.
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
6/19/08
It was a very hot and hazy evening at Cunningham Park when runners took to the streets on June 10 to compete in the 31st Annual Milton Road Race, but the heat did not stop the competition nor did it stop residents from coming out to show their support.
Sponsored by the Milton Junior Woman’s Club, this year’s race saw the participation of almost 450 runners from across the state and even beyond.
Milton’s own Jason Cakouros, who last year finished third in the 10K, won the race this year with a time of 35:05. Finishing second behind Cakouros was Marshfield Hills runner Michael Vitelli, who came in at 35:52.
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By Dawn Aberg
Contributor
6/19/08
Powerful 21st century cultural values and an 18th century decision inspired well over 100 town residents to pack a stuffy Cunningham Hall earlier this month.
The public meeting’s agenda listed the “best use of the 34-acre Governor Stoughton Property” as the topic of discussion. But less abstract issues dominated the evening: affordable housing, property values, taxes, traffic, “outsiders,” even community-supported agriculture and historic preservation.
By evening’s end, comments of some 36 town residents had exposed strong differences in community opinion.
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By Julie Fay
Contributing Writer
6/12/08
Karen Slodden’s classroom at Pierce Middle School is a visual learner’s paradise: student artwork on the walls; display boards with elements of visual arts defined and illustrated; materials for artistic experimentation on shelves and in cubbies.
Gigantic windows provide natural light, and paint-stained tables bespeak the creativity of the students that usually fill the room. It’s home to the entire creative life cycle, from raw materials to finished works, and a typical Pierce student enters its walls every other day to learn, create and build.
By contrast, the art room at Tucker elementary school stands mostly vacant, its materials in storage. The art room at Glover is used as a classroom due to overcrowding, but there are no art classes this semester at Glover, anyway. Due to recent budget cuts, elementary students get art class for one semester each year, and this spring it’s Collicot and Cunningham’s turn. With only one teacher to cover all four schools, scheduling considerations force the shutdown of the visual arts for half of the system’s elementary students at any given time. And that, says Patricia Turner, another art teacher at Pierce, is a shame.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
6/12/08
The planned second floor addition to the Thacher Montessori School hit a roadblock recently after it was determined the project needs Board of Appeals approval to move forward.
Building Commissioner Joe Prondak says the school already has existing non-conformities to zoning regulations. All such buildings must receive Board of Appeals approval for any new major changes, he says. The new second floor will also be built over a section of the school that has a variance for being too close to the property line—which requires a variance amendment.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
6/5/08
The Milton High class of 2008 began the rest of their lives June 1 at graduation amidst tears, smiles and applause.
The Sunday graduation exercise, held in the Copeland Field House, was the town’s 138th. Approximately 238 students received diplomas.
With performances by the high school band, a choir, speeches by Valedictorian Alexa McKenzie, Salutatorian Christine Buckland and Meaghan Connor, class president, the participants honored their pasts and looked forward to the future.
McKenzie says the class is made up of amazing people setting out to make the world a better place. She spoke about excellence in her speech, which she called a “forgotten virtue.”
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
6/5/08
A plan to slow traffic on Granite Avenue near the Fruit Center has some residents worried about it clogging their neighborhood, though DPW Director Walter Heller is confident it would only ease problems.
Starting at Wood Street, Granite Avenue has been reduced from two lanes to one in order to reduce traffic speed to make the road safer for pedestrians, Heller says. A car at Granite and Wood Street hit an elderly woman a few years ago. She died months later.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
6/5/08
The town could have a new Center for the Performing Arts as a result of a recently proposed $50,000 study.
Sen. Brian Joyce helped include $50,000 in the Senate’s FY 09 budget for a feasibility study on the concept. The legislative language does not specify transforming the Reedsdale Road Milton Woman’s Club (MWC) clubhouse, however discussion focuses on the space.
“I do think it could be an incredibly wonderful idea,” says Joyce about rehabbing the building, which is valued at more than $1 million.
The 1931 clubhouse, which contains a large kitchen and ballroom, is in need of renovation. Efforts by the MWC to rent the space have helped keep the building open, despite financial shortfalls.
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
5/29/08
Concerned residents attending the May 20 School Committee meeting expressed frustration and outrage over what will be significant FY 09 budget cuts in the schools.
At the meeting, the parents said town officials had not been open enough about budget discussions prior to Town Meeting.
“I don’t think the public was made aware (of all the potential budget cuts),” said Charles Winchester. “These decisions were made at closed meetings between the Finance Committee, Selectmen and the Warrant Committee (two weeks before Town Meeting).”
School Committee members disputed this, saying that the budget had been discussed in public meetings leading up to Town Meeting. Member Lynda-Lee Sheridan added that it had been the committee’s goal to be as transparent as possible in school budget deliberations.
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By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
5/29/08
School lunch receipts show an 18.5 percent increase in sales since last spring.
According to records from the town treasurer’s office, sales between May 2007 and April 2008 totaled $920,726, while the total was $777,040 from May 2006 to April 2007—a difference of $143,686.
Suzeanne Greene, former cafeteria director, was indicted earlier this month by a county grand jury for allegedly taking $83,000 in lunch money over a two and a half year period. She was suspended when the alleged theft was reported last May, and later fired.
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By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
5/29/08
The recent layoff of two public works employees and the merging of other positions makes it clear that the town is already feeling the pinch of its FY 09 budget.
At the May 22 Selectmen meeting, Public Works Director Walter Heller described the steps being taken by his department to cut costs in order to get through a year that will see the DPW lose more than $140,000 from its budget.
“We’re forced to make very tough cuts to maintain the fixed positions (utility, snow plowing, street sweeping) that are at the heart of what we do,” Heller told the selectmen.
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