Week in Review: September 13-19

The week of September 13 was driven by the Primary Election, but the Traffic Commission and the Board of Selectmen were also in action over the last seven days.

Tuesday's election brought out a lower than normal turnout, with 33 percent of registered voters hitting the polls in Milton's 11 precincts. As the results came in on Tuesday evening, there were very few surprises. The projected favorites took all the races in both the Democratic and Republican primaries. The four Milton candidates lost their races, but had good showings in town.

Among the interesting contests this primary, was the Democratic race for the Ninth Congressional seat. U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch won handedly in the generally anti-incumbent election. His challenger, Milton's own Mac D'Alessandro, conceded with a message of accomplishment to his supporters that a campaign like his can show those in power that constituents do pay attention to their votes. 

Also decided on Tuesday was the Democratic nominee for Norfolk District Attorney. Three men ran for the spot, but Quincy's Mike Morrissey took the vote across the district. Milton resident Michael Chinman finished first in Milton despite taking 16 percent of the vote all together.

On election night, Milton Patch also followed Milton resident Richard Livingston, who eventually conceded to Canton's Bob Burr for the Republican State Senate nod. Livingston rode highs and lows on election night and even showed a warn out shoe to his ardent supporters. Burr will now face incumbent Brian A. Joyce for the seat in November.

From the Selectmen's office this week, came the long-awaited Ulin Rink management contract. The agreement between the town and Curry College, ensures that ice time stays the same as it was last year for the various interest groups including the Curry hockey team, Milton High School hockey, Milton Youth Hockey and the Learn the Skate Program. If a group gives up time at any point, they will only be guaranteed that much the next year. The deal also states that if the college nets a negative cash flow, any entity that signs a contract within a year of Curry ending its involvement, will have to reimburse them through the town.

The Selectmen also met on Thursday this week, where they went through a lengthy discussion of the Governor Stoughton Trust. Members of the Milton Town Farm Educational Trust proposed that work begin on an educational farm this fall, but questions and concerns will likely halt their timeline.

Wednesday's Traffic Commission meeting at the Milton Police Department Headquarters drew a large crowd with concerns about Governors Road and the intersection of Neponset Valley Parkway and Brush Hill Road. The commission is pursuing long term solutions in both areas.