Milton Select Board Reviews Historic New England’s Permit Amidst Neighbor Concerns Over Events

During the recent Milton Select Board meeting, discussions focused on the special permit of Historic New England, particularly concerning events at the 1452 Canton Avenue estate. Neighbors expressed concerns over noise, parking, and landscape visibility issues, prompting the board to consider revisiting the permit conditions.

08:40The primary discussion centered around the management and impact of events hosted by Historic New England at the Eustace estate. Concerns were raised about the frequency and scale of events, especially those involving amplified music, such as weddings and summer concerts. A resident questioned whether the permit allowed for 12 annual weddings with amplified music, citing that current event frequency could disturb community peace. Noise, traffic, and overflow parking were highlighted as significant disturbances to the neighborhood, prompting calls for improved management.

Historic New England representatives acknowledged these concerns, with Marian McCetrick stating that the organization is willing to address issues such as light pollution from non-compliant floodlights and trespassing through the installation of a low chain link fence. These measures aim to minimize disturbances during events and ensure compliance with the special permit’s conditions. McCetrick emphasized that Historic New England has adhered to the permit’s stipulations, notably by limiting wedding events to fewer than the allowed 12 per year.

19:50Peter Gelman, from Historic New England, detailed their event management practices, emphasizing on-site oversight and the presence of multiple managers during larger gatherings. He noted that events are essential for fundraising but stressed that the estate is not intended to operate as a commercial venue. Instead, the focus is on promoting community engagement with history, art, and culture. Gelman assured that amplified sounds are directed away from neighboring properties to minimize disturbances.

49:04Attorney Dan Hill, representing concerned neighbors, proposed amendments to the special permit. He recommended limiting large-scale events to 12 annually, with nine focused on the museum and three for private gatherings. Hill argued for defined event size limits guided by parking capacity to prevent overwhelming local infrastructure.

32:49Miguel Rosales, speaking for himself and John David Corey, voiced concerns about landscape buffers and the visual impact of the visitor center and parking lot. He requested additional landscaping to shield unsightly features like dumpsters and overflow parking areas. Rosales highlighted that the existing landscaping primarily benefits neighbors on the opposite side, leaving his side exposed. He emphasized the need for comparable landscaping solutions to enhance aesthetics and shield neighboring properties from the museum’s operational elements.

54:41The board also addressed security concerns, with suggestions for installing security cameras and clearer signage to delineate private property from Historic New England. The board acknowledged the need for a review of the special permit conditions, considering the evolving use of the property since the permit’s initial approval in 2015.

01:07:42To facilitate a better understanding of the issues, the board proposed a site walk with involved parties and continued the hearing to July 23rd. This extension allows Historic New England time to review feedback and prepare a response. The board expressed a commitment to a collaborative process, encouraging engagement with neighbors to address their concerns effectively.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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