The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) faced a complicated legal and financial puzzle Tuesday evening as developers of the 116-unit 40B project at 648-652 Canton Avenue requested $500,000 in local funds while the town simultaneously pursues litigation to stop the development. The request, intended to deepen the affordability of six units from 80% to 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), sparked immediate debate regarding the town’s conflicting positions and established funding precedents.

Developer Joseph Stambosi argued that the subsidy would provide a significant community benefit by lowering rents for those units to approximately $1,550 per month, compared to $2,500 at the 80% AMI level. The rents are significantly more affordable, Stambosi told the committee. However, resident John Kieran raised a point of order, noting that the Town of Milton had filed an appeal against the Department of Environmental Protection permit for the project just days prior. This is active litigation... it puts the town in kind of an awkward position if we're appealing a permit and at the same time funding, Kieran said.

Committee members also expressed reservations about the funding mechanism. Member Rob Lee Bash noted that the CPC typically directs housing funds to the Milton Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) rather than directly to private developers. The affordable housing trust in Milton is better at addressing the issue, Bash said. Chair Tom Callahan echoed this, describing the AHT as the expert in managing such subsidies. Member Kathleen O'Donnell highlighted that regardless of the funding, the project’s permits already require perpetual affordability restrictions. Motion Made by P. Jackson to accept the minutes of June 11, 2025, as amended. Motion Passed (6-0-2), with Members O'Donnell and Linda Weld abstaining as they were absent from the prior session.

The committee also reviewed an ambitious $275,000 eligibility request for Phase 1 of the Neponset River Estuary Trail. Arthur Doyle provided a historical overview of the Granite Avenue area, touching on its roots as the site of the 1842 Mount Hope Canal and the Penny Ferry. Doyle emphasized the environmental value of the project, noting that an acre of salt marsh will absorb greenhouse gases 10 times faster than an acre of forest.

Project managers Eric Kelly and Jamie Vallette of Apex Companies explained that the $275,000 would cover the design and construction documents for all three phases of the trail, but only construction and permitting for the first quarter-mile segment. Phase 1 will be a quarter mile of trail to the existing paved access driveway off of Riverside Avenue, Vallette explained. Member Bash raised concerns about how the project would interface with the surrounding neighborhood. If the public is to come out here, how would they be encouraged... because this is an existing neighborhood and I could just see that as could be a potential problem, Bash noted.

A separate trail proposal, the Milton Brookwalk, saw advocate Jeff Stone requesting $30,000 for feasibility and design of a segment connecting the Glover School to School Street. Stone emphasized his commitment to making the three-mile trail accessible for motorized wheelchairs with very large wheels. While supportive of the concept, Member O'Donnell urged Stone to focus on town-owned land to avoid the complexities of private property negotiations. As a real estate attorney, it seems to me it's best to do your first project on property that the town already owns... pick the one that you're not going to have the biggest fight, O'Donnell advised. Member Pete Jackson cautioned against starting with the most expensive elements, noting that taking on the most capital intensive part of the project at a first phase... is pretty difficult.

The committee’s transition toward bonding for major projects took another step forward as Chair Callahan announced that proponents of Wharf Park intend to seek bonding funds by September. This move follows recent discussions regarding a $1.4 million commitment for the park, which would involve the town’s first major use of debt service for Community Preservation Act projects. It doesn't impact our funding available in FY26, Callahan said, explaining that debt payments would not begin for a year. Member Jackson insisted the matter be placed on the next agenda to ensure procedural fairness, referencing the committee’s recent decision to turn down a late application from the Forbes House. Should we put it on the agenda for next time? Jackson asked. We just turned down the Forbes house because their application was a little late.

Assistant Town Administrator Nick Milano presented several municipal projects for eligibility review, including a $12-foot wide shared-use path along Brook Road known as the Milton Greenway. The project would move bike lanes off the street and onto a widened path. Member O'Donnell referenced the Norwell case to clarify that while standard sidewalks are ineligible for CPA funds, recreational paths that connect town assets typically qualify. Milano also discussed a project to finish the Town Center basketball court and add a bocce court. Member Cheryl Tougias, who had earlier recused herself from the Canton Avenue discussion, questioned if the recreation project would endanger existing greenery. Would it mean that those beautiful trees would have to go? Tougias asked. Milano responded that the design intends to preserve the trees and will not include new lighting to avoid neighborhood conflicts.

Milano also sought guidance on the Milton Landing Boat Ramp, which requires environmental permitting and dredging of contaminated soil. Member Tougias expressed concern that the area currently feels less attractive to the public due to a boat house structure erected by Dexter Southfield. I feel like that it's gone the opposite direction... it's less attractive to someone feeling like they're welcome there because it's got this narrow entrance next to that big structure, Tougias said. Milano clarified the structure is temporary and that the town is working on improving signage.

Finally, Kevin Savage of the Parks Department presented $220,000 in athletic improvements, including a $185,000 renovation of Andrews Field and a $35,000 softball batting cage. Savage noted the Andrews soccer and lacrosse field is way overused and requires a complete rehabilitation. Member Bash noted the batting cage cost is driven largely by the need for a retaining wall to address drainage issues. Member Wendy Garpow and Vice Chair Jenny Russell participated in the reviews, which concluded without formal votes as they were eligibility determinations only. The committee also briefly debated hiring a professional public relations firm to promote CPC projects, though Member Weld expressed hesitation about the cost. I wouldn't want to blindly approve a dollar amount without some more information and background, Weld said.