Milton is currently aging faster than we’re investing in our roads, according to outgoing DPW Director Marina Fernandez, who presented a sobering assessment of the town’s infrastructure during Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting. With 97 miles of roadway currently averaging a surface rating of 61.88, Fernandez and Town Engineer Darwin Spios warned that it would take an estimated $22.5 million to bring the entire network up to a high standard. Under the current annual funding of approximately $2.4 million—much of which is diverted to ADA compliance and police details—the town’s road quality is projected to steadily decline.

Member J. Driscoll voiced frustration over years of deferred maintenance, noting that costs have nearly doubled since previous estimates. Seven, eight years ago they were talking about $30 to $40 million. We had a road report and everybody's had their head in the sand, Driscoll said. The town's got to wake up and start thinking about putting money in the roads. Town Administrator N. Milano emphasized the need for a coordinated financial strategy, suggesting that any increase in paving must be tied to water main investments to prevent crews from cutting into brand-new asphalt for pipe repairs.

In a proactive move to address neighborhood safety concerns, the board took a significant step toward overhauling how the town manages its streets. Motion Made by R. Wells to approve the proposal for the Traffic Calming Master Plan with Tool Design. Motion Passed 5-0. The $120,000 initiative will create a data-driven framework for safety improvements rather than relying on reactive responses to resident complaints. Erica Aguidaboni of Tool Design explained that the 10-month project would focus on crash history and equitable distribution of resources. We want to make sure that we have a data-driven approach... and that we are ensuring that we're being equitable and not sort of reactionary to the loudest voices, Aguidaboni said.

The safety discussion was bolstered by resident J. Corey, who advocated for the plan during public comment, citing the success of the Randolph Avenue road diet. While traffic queuing is increased during peak hours, no one can argue the benefit to safety in the town on this corridor, Corey noted. During the presentation, Member M. Haggerty questioned the consultants on their safety philosophy. What is your philosophy regarding safety and congestion? Do you see those two things as hard trade-offs? Haggerty asked, to which the consultants responded that safety remains the primary priority. Member R. Wells, drawing on his experience with the traffic commission, remarked that traffic is going to follow the point of least resistance, emphasizing the difficulty of managing cut-through drivers directed by GPS apps.

The board also took a firm stance against the expansion of gambling within town limits, responding to a request from the Milton Food Mart for a Keno monitor. Motion Made by W. Daley to send a letter to the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission rejecting the request for a Keno monitor at Milton Food Mart. Motion Passed 5-0. Vice Chair W. Daley stated, I don't think this is necessary... I would not want to have this installed. Chair B. Zoll echoed this sentiment, describing gambling as a scourge and arguing that the town should not facilitate an industry that targets vulnerable residents.

Community celebrations saw a mix of excitement and nostalgia as Linda Lee Sheridan announced that the upcoming Milton Music Fest would be its 14th and final iteration. Scheduled for June 20th and 21st at Hutchinson Field, the event will double as a 250th-anniversary celebration for the nation. This year we're going to make it special... because it's going to be our final year of music fest, Sheridan said. Member R. Wells praised the event's legacy, noting that no one has ever had to pay a nickel to go to this event, while Chair B. Zoll recalled the festival as one of the reasons he felt Milton was a really special place when he moved to town in 2012.

In a more somber moment, the board authorized a new memorial sign at the corner of Brayburn Road and Hillcrest to honor Ed and Mary Coyle, both retired colonels who served in the Marine Corps and Air Force, respectively. Motion Made by R. Wells to authorize a sign to be erected in honor of members of the Coyle family at the corner of Brayburn Road and Hillcrest. Motion Passed 5-0. Resident K. Demano described her late neighbors as very humble and very proud of their military service, prompting the board to consider a formal policy for similar veteran site honors in the future.

The Equity and Justice for All Advisory Committee provided an update on their ongoing efforts to modernize town policies. Committee Chair J. Hart urged the board to move forward with actionable items, including a formal DEI statement and a public dashboard. The point here... is that we move the ball forward in implementing actionable recommendations. It's been five years; the landscape has changed, Hart told the board. Chair B. Zoll reflected on the town's history with affordable housing, remarking that this town has been dragged kicking and screaming across the finish line due to decades of inaction. The board agreed to place a draft DEI statement on an upcoming agenda for formal consideration.

Financial planning remained a focus as the board moved to ensure the stability of the Budget Coordination Committee, which has been credited with improving the relationship between the town and school departments. Motion Made by M. Haggerty to extend the Budget Coordination Committee charge to 2030. Motion Passed 4-0. Member M. Haggerty noted the committee is currently looking at long-term growth drivers to manage spending expectations as the town prepares for the FY27 budget cycle, which faces an 8% health insurance spike and looming debt obligations.

The meeting concluded with a stern warning from Chair B. Zoll regarding recent local political activity. Zoll condemned a coordinated effort to steal and vandalize campaign signs for a specific candidate ahead of the April 28th election. It deserves condemnation... I hope that is the last instance of vandalism, which is a crime, to occur around a town election, Zoll stated, defending the integrity of the democratic process. In other business, the board finalized the Town Meeting Warrant and approved the FY25 Annual Report. Motion Made by R. Wells to approve the Town Meeting Warrant. Motion Passed 4-0. Motion Made by R. Wells to approve the FY25 Annual Report. Motion Passed 4-0.