The renovation of Wharf Park was the central focus of the meeting, highlighted by a detailed update from Scott McKay, a former town meeting member and park commissioner. McKay provided an overview of the project’s history and current status, explaining its inception at a Milton Farmers Market board meeting in 2022. Concerns about safety due to uneven ground and inadequate accessibility were primary motivators for the redevelopment. With the Community Preservation Act offering potential funding avenues, a $25,000 application was submitted to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to gather community input on necessary improvements.

McKay detailed the progress made since the project’s conception, including the hiring of a landscape architect and conducting six public meetings over approximately eighteen months. Three conceptual designs emerged from community feedback, focusing on enhancing accessibility and integrating existing features like the Neponset Riverwalk. The designs emphasize the park’s orientation towards the water, with plans to improve views of the waterfront through strategic landscaping.

Initial approval from the Select Board in September 2024 allowed the steering committee to seek further funding for construction engineering, with a budget estimated at $157,000. The CPC awarded $73,500, and the steering committee raised an additional $83,500. With construction documents 75% complete, the total project cost is estimated at $1.5 million, although efforts are being made to reduce this figure to $1.2 million through cost-saving alternatives.

Planned amenities include entry stairs, a children’s play area, park benches, a pollinator garden, lighting, and a sun canopy, with financing through private donations or foundations. The board discussed potential collaborations with local businesses, noting JD Wild’s support and financial contribution to the project. The possibility of public-private partnerships was also explored to enhance the park’s development.

In addition to park renovations, the meeting covered ongoing discussions about the park’s trees, specifically a problematic oak tree with a history of falling limbs. The board recommended an arborist evaluate the tree’s condition, considering its impact on park equipment.

Attention then turned to various town warrant articles for the upcoming town meeting. The board began with a motion to draft a letter of support for the Wharf Park project, which passed unanimously. They then progressed to a series of articles, starting with one concerning fiscal year 2026 appropriations for a special election, which also received unanimous support.

The board tackled article four, addressing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, submitted by the climate action planning committee. Clarifications were sought on whether directives regarding diesel engines in the town’s Department of Public Works were binding or advisory. It was determined the language was advisory, with the town expressing a preference for electric vehicles while acknowledging financial constraints. The board supported the article unanimously.

Article five, related to the Environmental Planning and Implementation Committee (EPIC), sparked debate over proposed amendments. Despite some members’ disappointment with late-raised concerns, the article passed without the proposed amendments. Article six involved a straightforward amendment to conservation land documentation, passing without objection.

The conversation then moved to article seven, proposing amendments to alcohol regulations. Concerns arose about last-minute submissions from the warrant committee, particularly regarding wristbands for alcohol consumption. One board member expressed frustration over the lack of organization and perceived gamesmanship. Ultimately, the board chose to adhere to the original article crafted by the Select Board, rejecting the additional amendments to maintain clarity and consistency.

A related discussion on light trespass policies led to a consensus on distinguishing between dark skies and light trespass, with an important addition of an appeals process for violations. The board approved this proposal, acknowledging the positive impact of the appeals process inclusion.

The board quickly addressed article nine, submitted by the planning board, encountering no need for substantive changes. They also reviewed a letter to the MBTA regarding the Metapan line, seeking further updates before their next meeting.