By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
5/8/08

(previous)
“I have felt left out of the decision-making process,” he said. “I feel I have not been given all the information you both (selectmen) have.” Shields cited several recent examples where he felt that Fagan and McEttrick had met with people or discussed matters without notifying him.
“I can’t prove anything, but I see this as a problem,” he said.
“There certainly hasn’t been anything done that would constitute a violation. I’m sorry you feel that way,” McEttrick responded.
McEttrick offered Shields the chairman position as a way to maintain board unity, but Shields declined, saying, “the chairmanship isn’t the point. I just feel like I’m not being consulted by my fellow board members.”
On the motion to elect Fagan, Shields concluded, “I’m willing to nominate (Fagan), but I just want you all to be cognizant of my concerns.”
Shields was out front in acknowledging mistakes in town leadership. “We really let people down,” he said, addressing on-going budget override concerns.
Traffic Survey
In other action, the board decided to appoint a committee to survey traffic and parking in East Milton Square.
The committee, to be known as the Business and Citizen Advisory Committee (BCAC), will access current traffic patterns, parking, present and future traffic projections and develop measures to address deficiencies in the square.
“Parking has long been as issue affecting the vitality of the square,” said Planning Director Bill Clark, who hopes to garner public interest and involvement in the new committee.
The BCAC will be comprised of 12 members chosen by Selectmen and Planning Board. Two-thirds of the committee will be town residents, said Clark. The remainder of the members will be business owners in the Square.
Funds for the project will come from a $1 million federal grant and may involve altering traffic patterns, roadway layout, and the creation of additional parking. The committee will meet monthly and offer input and recommendations to Selectmen.
“This is going to require meaningful town-wide public participation,” Clark said.
LED Sign
Clark opposed a proposal to build a large LED sign off I-93 proposed by Jay Kennedy of Kennedy Carpets at 502-504 Granite Ave. Kennedy wants to construct the sign to promote his new showroom in the Square. He says he needs the sign to attract people from the highway who drive by.
“Times are tough out there,” said Kennedy, who says his business has suffered from current economic woes.
“I really need the exposure, and this might be the difference between staying in business and putting up a for sale sign.”
Fagan worried that the sign could set a dangerous precedent.
“I think it would be unfair to other businesses,” she said. “We spent a lot of time deciding on the signage laws and this exception could damage the rule.”
McEttrick agreed, pointing out the Sign Review Committee did not approve of the specific sign that Kennedy wants to build.
The board decided to hold off on a vote until they could come up with better language on what type of exception could be made for Kennedy’s business.