By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
12/31/09
For Milton, 2009 was a year marked both by new beginnings and tragic ends. It was a year of challenges – one that brought the town together in unexpected ways, through achievement, crisis and loss. And that only begins to tell the story. Here’s a look back at some of the town’s major news events this year:

Building a Future
Once again, Milton caught the attention of outsiders, indicating the possibility of a bright future. As was the case two years ago, the town was ranked by Money Magazine as one of the top 10 places in America to live. This year, the town ranked fifth, two spots higher than it placed on the magazine’s 2007 list. Many in town credited the high honor to exactly the thing that seems to have defined Milton over the past several years: building for the future. Many events followed a similar theme of opening new doors throughout the year. The opening of two new restaurants over the summer – 88 Wharf in Milton Village and Abby Park in East Milton Square – and the reopening of the main library following $13 million in renovations in April gave the community a reason to take pride in its infrastructure and amenities. The completion of the decade-long school building project further exemplified smart long-term investment, patience and hard work paying off. At the Milton High School graduation, the auditorium was named in honor of Charles Winchester, who steered the complex building project from its beginnings. The year was the last for Winchester, who died just days after resigning from the School Building Committee in October. The new buildings that stand throughout town – a legacy to his and many others’ dedication and care – are evidence of the efforts Winchester put forth. Many of his friends and colleagues had heartfelt words of thanks at October’s Special Town Meeting. Following in its own continued theme of building for the future, Curry College took another step in that direction this year, graduating its largest class in May and opening the doors to its new $35 million student facility.
Triumph and Tragedy
Two events, just weeks apart in March, marked what were the two opposite ends of the emotional spectrum in town this year.
The first was a great moment of joy and pride for the community, when on March 14 the Milton High School boys’ basketball team capped off its season by winning the MIAA Division 2 state championship. The Wildcats beat Hoosac Valley in the title game, 81-44, at Worchester’s DCU Center. A steady stream of praise and gratitude followed, as the boys got to show their hard-earned trophy around town.
The Wildcats certainly took the town on quite a ride this year. Perhaps most remarkable of all was not the title game, but the game that got them there. On March 10, the team ousted Woburn in a thriller at Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden. It was a game that came down to the wire, with a final clutch shot putting the Wildcats ahead for good.
But no community is immune to tragedy, and following the emotional high of the run to the Milton High boys’ basketball title, another event two weeks later tested the town’s resolve. In a shocking crime occurring March 28 on Belvoir Road, 23-year-old Kerby Revelus killed two of his sisters with a knife and was attacking a third sister when police arrived and shot him. In the face of heartbreak, police and other responders acted bravely and with honor.
What’s more, as painful as it was, the crime brought forth the kindness of strangers, as people from seemingly all walks of life – from in town and outside of it – directed prayers and sentiments to the Revelus family. The town mourned the loss of two young lives, 17-year-old Milton High student Samantha “Princesse” Revelus and her sister, 5-year-old Bianca. The third sister, 9-year-old Saraphina, was saved by the actions of police at the scene.
School officials offered grief counseling to students, many of them classmates of the attack victims.
In the wake of such an event, it was clear from the wave of hope and healing that residents would not let one incident change or define the character of a community.
The same can be said following the tragic death of Lance Cpl. Patrick Coughlin in June. One of the largest funerals the town has seen occurred at St. Agatha Church on June 23, four days after Coughlin died from a fall in a Quincy quarry.
Everyone who knew the 21-year-old Coughlin, a 2006 graduate of Milton High School, spoke of his big heart and smile. He had served as a Marine in Iraq. The front-page photo in the Times’ coverage depicted Coughlin and a fellow Marine visiting their former teacher at Collicot School. It showed that Coughlin never forgot where he came from.
The faith of the Coughlin family, and the support of friends, town leaders and residents showed the community wouldn’t forget him, either.
Not to be outdone by the Wildcats’ title day in Worchester, many other sports teams this year showed similar resolve and attained just as noteworthy success. The Bantam A hockey team won its first state title March 1, with a 6-1 victory over Barnstable. March was also a good month for the Fontbonne Academy girls’ hockey team, which won the Division 2 state championship over Whitman-Hanson-Pembroke on March 15. That team also got to enjoy its victory at the Garden.
The Lady Wildcats cross-country runners are certainly no stranger to success. For the second consecutive year, the high school’s track team went undefeated (11-0), winning the Herget and the Bay State League Championship in October.
Developing Controversy
The year also saw its fair share of controversy. As always, passions ran high on a number of key town issues.
Three major issues dominated the majority of talk at public meetings in 2009. Not surprisingly, one of those was the budget. The year was another tough one financially, not only for the town but for the state and nation. The economic impact on Milton, and the subsequent ways in which officials and residents responded to the financial challenges, illustrated how people of very differing circumstances can equally come forward with wise solutions to tough problems.
For the town, the issue culminated in a June special election, where voters were asked to approve the largest proposed override of Proposition 2 1/2 that town officials have put on a ballot. This one, for $3.4 million, passed by a relatively large voter margin.
Those who opposed the tax increase during a downed economy made their views known. Officials and override supporters spelled out the type of cuts to town services they felt would result without the additional revenue.
Whichever side you were on, it was a sign of the times that the measure was considered.
The two other key news “developments” for Milton this year literally revolved around property development.
One involved Temple Shalom, which more than a year ago announced its need for redevelopment on its four-acre parcel on Blue Hill Avenue. Temple members said they could no longer afford to maintain their facility and needed to downsize.
In February, a development plan was presented to the Planning Board that included a new Temple along with two commercial buildings on the site, one a CVS Pharmacy. The plan, and the debate surrounding it, was the source of the year’s most passionate public debate by far – consuming months of meetings, in which literally hundreds of public comments were taken.
Like the economic situation, it was a difficult issue to tackle. Proponents of the development spoke of the desire for more amenities the significance in having Temple Shalom remain a part of the community. Opponents spoke of the potential impacts of the new development on the neighborhood, with the increased traffic and the impact it would have on schoolchildren’s safety being a primary concern.
The Planning Board certainly had its hands full all year, steering its way through the zoning issue. On Feb. 22, Special Town Meeting will decide whether to support the zoning.
Just as controversial this year was the debate over the future of the Town Farm property. The property off Canton Avenue, as decreed by the will of Colonial Gov. William Stoughton, must serve to benefit the poor of Milton. It is also a place of historic value, with buildings on the farm dating from the 1800s and various natural trails and open space.
A study committee put together by Selectmen recommended in October that an endowment plan be established to preserve the farm’s history. They set a $5 million goal for capital improvements of the current buildings, with the possibility that the land be developed in the future.
Debate over the property has divided residents at public meetings throughout the year. Opinions have largely run the gamut as to how the town should care for the farm. Some are opposed to any development on the farm, while others have expressed support for affordable housing on the site. The debate over the property likely will carry on far beyond 2009.
It’s clear through debates this year, however, that people in town aren’t just going through the motions of a town government. Discussions were often long and exhaustive in their level of details, but people spoke with passion and commitment.
Finding Common Cause
As equally as some issues divided residents, others brought them together.
Apart from the tragedies of the Revelus and Coughlin events, and the triumph of the sports teams, there was plenty else this year that illustrated the town’s ability to unite as one.
All throughout the year, various events and causes reflected a strong spirit of charity and compassion, common strengths that many in town possess.
Perhaps the biggest outpouring of support was offered to Milton High soccer coach Mike Madden. In October 2008, Madden faced a potential future partially paralyzed after difficulties incurred during a routine back operation.
The community rallied around him. Selfless acts both big and small were offered to the Madden family during their difficult time, including an organized fund-raising campaign.
The Times reported last week that Madden, who has a passion for the sport he coaches, is back walking and has returned to work.
Equally, the community rallied when in July there was a report of a hate crime on Randolph Avenue. Residents, community leaders and clergy stood as one on a summer night on the Town Green, to proclaim that there is no room in the community for intolerance.
The town also thanked two dedicated public servants for their hard work – Fire Chief Malcolm Larson and longtime Town Treasurer Kevin Sorgi – who both left their jobs with the town this year.
There were countless other cases of residents doing good things throughout the year. In a town of roughly 26,000 citizens, where people take such pride in their community, there really isn’t enough space for all of the great stories to be told year after year.
But it begs the question: What will 2010 have in store for Milton?