BCAC Discusses Options for Future of East Milton Square

With the final report for the East Milton Square Parking and Access Study due in two weeks, the Business and Citizens Advisory Committee and the public had plenty to say about the draft report at the first open BCAC meeting since it was released.

The BCAC shared its consensus preferences for the short, intermediate and long term during Wednesday’s meeting at Town Hall. Residents around the square expressed understandable concern over a long-term option that included acquiring nearby homes for parking, while the BCAC continued to discuss the value of parking meters and enforcement.

The meeting was facilitated by Project Manager Keri Pyke from Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc., the firm that has been working on the project since last May. The members of the BCAC held their discussion and then the public was given a chance to speak.

Planning Director Bill Clark said the BCAC wants to improve way-finding in the studied area, and explained that their number one option at this point is the so-called hybrid plan, which would reconfigure Manning Park and add two parking lots on the deck. Traffic would be directed completely around the square, eliminating the one-way Adams Street connection.

While some members of the 15-member committee have reservations about the reworked park, others see it as the most viable option that increases parking in the square.

“This was the most immediately achievable option (for adding more parking), otherwise you get into the need for taking property,” said BCAC member Lesley Will.

While many residents in attendance were concerned about their property being taken, Clark explained that was never an option. “Eminent domain has never been part of the process,” said Clark. “The town is not going to take anyone’s home.”

Rather, Clark pointed out, that the process has been about considering every possible solution to the parking and traffic issues that have surrounded East Milton Square since the 1950s.

“We’re looking at everything,” Clark said at the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting. “Everything needs to be on the table.”

Paul Nelson, who represents the Massachusetts Department of Transportation at the BCAC meetings, said the Commonwealth would like take issue with the town trying to attain homes for parking. He pointed to the National Environmental Protection Act views such action as a last resort.

Selectman John Shields also rose to say the Board of Selectmen would be hesitant to acquire property.

“We would be reluctant doing eminent domain takeovers in regard to this project,” Shields said, expressing confidence that his colleagues on the Board of Selectmen share his view.

One of the longstanding debates among the members of the BCAC has been parking meters in East Milton Square. The question has been whether more enforcement would curb parking violations or if meters are necessary.

The discussion on the topic continued on Wednesday night.

Nathaniel Curtis, of Howard/Stein-Hudson, presented cost options for installation and operating cost from three parking meter manufacturers: Duncan, MacKay and Ventek. He sought information on the most basic meters and the most advanced to show a range of costs. Based on parking information in the square, 240 basic parking meters would need to be used. The area would require between 30 and 34 more advanced, multi-space units.

Duncan’s basic installation would cost $119,520 with an operating expense of $8,400. The advanced units from Duncan would cost $240,500 to install and $1,768 to operate.

The next manufacturer, MacKay, would charge $142,000 to install basic meters. The basic operating expense would be $9,600. The advanced installation for MacKay would be $260,000 and the operating cost would be $5,100.

Ventek’s basic installation would be $210,000 and the advanced installation would be $570,000. Both systems would cost $3,332 to operate.

While Curtis said the revenues generated by meters would be set by the town, most other towns typically operate meters to break even. Revenues in Milton may also be affected by the fact that no meters would be permitted on the deck if the town moved forward with the hybrid plan.

The discussion over meters also created the issue of the other business districts in Milton. Some suggested that meters in East Milton would require the town to add them on Central Avenue and in Milton Village.

The final public meeting for the East Milton Square Parking and Access Study will be held Wednesday, May 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cunningham Hall. The final report, including a conclusion from the consultants, will be presented to the Board of Selectmen on May 25.