Dear Fellow Milton Resident,

 

We’ve just completed the Senate’s version of the FY 2009 budget and it contains some good news for Milton .

 

First, the budget includes $300,000 for the Milton Hospital Geriatrics Program.  This highly regarded program, a collaborative effort between Milton Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , coordinates the services delivered to seniors in every care setting along the continuum of care.  As our medical and healthcare system become increasingly complex, we need to make it easier for seniors to receive the best care all in one setting.  The Milton Hospital Geriatrics Program is among the very best in Massachusetts and these funds are critical to its mission.

 

Next, $50,000 is earmarked to assist in the planning of a proposed Milton Center for the Performing Arts.  This seed money is the first step in what could become a tremendous center for learning, culture and community events.  The Milton Center for the Performing Arts would stage plays and musicals, exhibit films, conduct classes in all art forms, and host the Milton cable television studios.  The Center would welcome Milton residents to not only attend the various productions, but also actively participate in them.  In addition to sponsoring the budget request, I have been exploring potential state grant opportunities for this venture as well as possible site locations. 

 

The budget also includes $100,000 for the Blue Hills Park Ranger Mounted Unit.  This unit patrols the Blue Hills Reservation and provides for the safety of the visiting public.  The Rangers also function as park stewards educating the public about recreational opportunities and protecting natural resources for future generations.  Mounted park rangers are extremely valuable in terms of engaging park goers and responding quickly to potential danger.  The mounted ranger has enhanced vision because of the added height of the horse and greater flexibility to navigate difficult terrain.  In addition to public outreach and crime prevention, the Blue Hills Park Ranger Mounted Unit is responsible for finding lost children, escorting emergency vehicles, and patrolling our park trails.  The unit has also provided critical assistance during public safety emergencies in conjunction with the local police departments. 

 

The budget provides $42,975 to the Blue Hills School to Careers Partnership to fund a Student Internship Program and a Teacher Externship program. The Blue Hills School to Careers Partnership organizes and administers both the teacher externship program and student internship program.  The Partnership places teachers for two weeks in the following areas: engineering, banking/finance, communications, government, health/medical, hotel/hospitality management, and technology.  High school students find internship opportunities which helps them in their decision making regarding college and careers.  This program is extremely valuable because it provides teachers and students the opportunity to receive hands on experience in real work settings.  Now teachers can better prepare students for what they will face in the workplace, and students are equipped to make more informed decisions about their future.  I have hosted several externs in my State House office over the years.

 

Prior to the budget debate, we passed a Joint Local Aid Resolution containing:

 

·        An increase of $605,878 or 14.5% in Chapter 70 state aid to Milton Schools

·        An increase of $617,942 or 6.7% in total state aid to Milton

 

 In addition to the budget, there are developments to report relative to three Milton infrastructure projects.

 

Work has begun on roadway improvements along Blue Hills Parkway utilizing $1 million that I secured last year.  This is the first phase of the project and targets the intersection of Blue Hills Parkway and Brook Road .  The Parkway is a key link between the Neponset River Reservation and the Blue Hills Reservation with heavy student foot traffic from nearby Tucker Elementary School and Milton High School .  Last month, I joined the Governor and DCR Commissioner Sullivan in announcing that we will spend $5.2 million to create DCR’s newest park, the Neponset River Esplanade.  This project will include a three-mile walking and biking path along the Neponset River , and the rehabilitation of the Martini Shell and amphitheater on Truman Parkway .

 

Work has been completed at the Central Avenue Business District.  I secured $1 million in an economic stimulus bill which has resulted in infrastructure and road upgrades, sidewalks, lighting, safety and aesthetic improvements.  This will tie-in nicely with the Town’s recently passed overlay zoning district, and a previous $1 million appropriation I secured for improvements in Milton Village .   Also, work is scheduled to begin on a prior appropriation of $1.7 million for the Central Avenue Footprint Road Bikeway project.  The project includes resurfacing Central Avenue from the intersection with Brook Road to the intersection of Eliot Street , as well as the creation of bicycle paths, improved drainage and rebuilt sidewalks.

 

Finally, work is nearly complete on the project to improve the safety, aesthetics and accessibility of the Capen Street , Valley Road , Central Avenue and Milton Red Line trolley stops.  In addition to their support for this project, I am grateful that MBTA management followed through on their commitment to provide temporary bus service for Milton residents during construction. 

 

 I am happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions at my office (617-722-1643), home (617-696-0200) or by e-mail ( BJoyce@senate.state.ma.us).  Thank you for the continued opportunity to work on your behalf.

 

             

  Sincerely,

 

                                                                     

BRIAN A. JOYCE