News Flash

October has passed by quickly, and with it, the chill in the air foreshadowing the season to come. I won’t say fall is over quite yet. By the calendar, we still have a few days left of this wonderful season. However, the signs are here: crunch of the crisp, fallen leaves under foot, shorter days, cooler nights   and less light in the evening sky. 

Winter Operations Plan Now In Effect

As we head into the snowy season, I would like to reiterate that the Town’s winter operations plan (click to download PDF) calls for safe roads at safe speeds. Our team will be starting between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., depending on the storm, to maintain roads for safe passage during storm events, but please note that roads will not be completely bare. They will likely have a layer of snow/ice on them throughout snow events. In order to ensure safe passage, drivers should allow more time for their trip and adjust speed accordingly. 

In addition, I ask that you please remove all items from the Town right of way and refrain from putting items on the roadside such as trash bins during storm events. 

Unfortunately, it is inevitable that some mailboxes will be damaged during the plowing season. We have experienced drivers, but they do accidently hit mailboxes occasionally when conditions limit their visibility. Sometimes the sheer weight of the heavy wet snow coming off the plow can destroy a mailbox. Please notify us if this occurs by filling out this online form, and we will repair/replace it (with a mailbox valued up to $30) as soon as time permits. As in the past, we will be out checking our routes to document mailboxes in poor condition. We will not replace damaged mailboxes that were already in poor condition. If you have questions, please contact the Public Works Director or call my office.        

Paving Projects Complete for the Season

The highway department has wrapped up paving for the season. We worked with a local paving contractor to resurface heavily deteriorated sections of School Street and Kingswood Drive. This work will improve the ride for residents and prevent further damage to the roadway by the plow trucks throughout the winter. 

Lieutenant Frank Scalise Receives Investigative Excellence Award

Lieutenant Frank Scalise of the Milton Police Department has been chosen as a recipient of this year’s Investigative Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Justice. This award is in recognition for his role as the lead law enforcement officer in an investigation that exposed a significant drug conspiracy involving a distribution network that extended from Detroit, MI to Burlington, VT. Congratulations on this recognition, Lieutenant Scalise, and thank you for your devoted service to public safety. 

Milton Distinguished as an Age-Friendly Community

The Town of Milton has officially joined the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, a program designed to assist participating communities in becoming inclusive places for individuals of all ages. This involves adopting features such as safe, walkable streets, improved housing and transportation options, access to equal services and opportunities for residents to engage in civic and community activities. 

Cymone Bedford, Milton’s planning and diversity, equity and inclusion director, was instrumental in getting the Town enrolled in the Age-Friendly program. Bedford has done a wonderful job of incorporating aging projection statistics into the planning and recommended courses of action for DEI involvement into the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Milton is committed to making our town a place where we can all age with a high quality of life, and we are proud to lead the way in Vermont. 

Recreation Collaborating with Age Well for Senior Programs

In addition to considering our aging population in long-term planning efforts, we have been actively seeking programming opportunities for seniors in our community. We have collaborated with Age Well on a couple of upcoming programs, including weekly Tai Chi classes and a soon-to-be promoted senior luncheon, which will hopefully become a monthly occurrence. Watch for more programming soon on the Recreation Department’s facebook page and on the Recreation programs webpage. 

Public Works Facility Update

We are excited to see significant progress on the new public works facility. The infrastructure is now in place, including water, sewer and the road leading up to the site of the new building, and the foundation should be poured in the coming weeks. With the completion of these milestones, we should be on track to move in to the building by this time next year. 

Solar Project to be Installed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Town recently received approval from the Public Utility Commission to construct a solar project at the wastewater treatment plant on the former treatment lagoons. We are finalizing the terms of the lease agreement, and construction is planned for early 2024. This project will generate Town revenue for the next twenty years.

Downtown Core Master Plan Project

You may have participated in a recent survey asking questions about what you would like to see in a future downtown Milton. This survey was part of an effort by the consulting team of DuBois & King, along with Town Staff and Milton On The Move representatives, and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), who are leading a series of community outreach efforts with residents, landowners and businesses that will inform a Conceptual Downtown Plan for Milton. This planning process will feature several community outreach opportunities, and we hope to continue to hear from our community as this project progresses.

Feasibility Study Underway for Potential Recreation Center

Another Milton on the Move initiative that has been gaining traction is the effort to build a recreation, fitness and community center. In 2022, the Selectboard voted to apply ARPA funding toward a market feasibility study on a multipurpose indoor recreation and community center along with a master plan for the Town’s park properties. Following a request for proposals that went out over the summer, the Selectboard, with the recommendation of a committee consisting of Town staff and Milton on the Move representatives, awarded the contract for this project to HVS Consulting, a firm specializing in convention, sports and entertainment facilities. This is a multi-phase project that is expected to take 16 weeks to complete. We look forward to sharing the findings in the spring of 2024. 

Friends of the Library Raffle Tickets On Sale

The annual Friends of the Library basket raffle is underway, and local individuals, businesses and organizations have created themed baskets to be raffled off in our fundraiser. Each basket has a theme and includes a book and items related to the book. Baskets will be displayed in the library during November and residents will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to enter the raffle through December 8. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5, and proceeds will help support the library. The drawing will be held on Saturday, December 9. Follow the Milton Public Library on Facebook for more information. 

The items included in this message represent a small portion of the exciting things happening in the Town. I find it more difficult each month to choose what should be included in the message. We have a great team busy doing things that will continue to move our community forward. We are always looking for volunteers to assist us, please reach out to me if you have interest in serving our community.  

As always, our doors are open and we look forward to seeing you in the office soon.

Don Turner, Jr.
Milton Town Manager 

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