With little debate, warrant articles passed to voters

MILTON - With a sparse turnout and little debate or discussion, all 17 Articles on the Warrant for the Ballot were passed on to voters for the March 8 election in about two hours on Saturday in Milton.

Less than 35 Milton residents attended, about as many as those there in an official capacity such as members of the Town of Milton Budget Committee, Board of Selectmen and Town Department members.

Fire Chief, Nick Marique did a power-point presentation on the Fire Station proposal of $2,795,000 explaining the history of proposals and the recommendations for a new station with costs associated for it.

Another article that drew minor discussion was a proposal for a step plan pay increase of $19,837.00 for the employees in the Highway Department, Solid Waste Department, and Government Buildings Department.

Pat Smith, the Public Works Director, explained the proposed pay increase which would be effective in July 2016 if passed and explained that the $19,837 increase is for the first six months funding.

The pay raise only covers 13 employees, four part time and nine full time.

Another article discussed was a proposal by the Town of Milton for a Town Forest. The article has the support and endorsement of the Milton Forest Committee, The Conservation Committee, as well as the Board of Selectmen. It would establish a Town Forest on 73.4 acres of land which is currently owned by the Town of Milton on Casey Road.

The articles also included a town operating budget of $4.2 million, an increase of about $260,000 from last year.

(Les Elder contributed to this story.)