Milton Town Meeting celebrates 350 years

Two members of the Middlesex County volunteer Fifes and Drums perform at the annual Town Meeting in Milton Monday as part of the 305th anniversary celebration. (Photos by Natalie Feulner for The Boston Globe)

By Natalie Feulner

Globe Correspondent / May 10, 2012

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MILTON — To the sound of bagpipes and church bells ringing in unison across town, Milton Town Meeting members filed one-by-one into First Parish in Milton Monday evening, gathering in the same venue as residents did centuries ago.

The unusual gathering in the church was part of a celebration of the town’s 350th anniversary. Town Meeting continued Tuesday at Milton High School, after only six of the 41 warrant articles were passed Monday night.

Before Monday’s session, several Milton High School students led the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” and Joseph Manning was presented with an award recognizing his 65 years as a Town Meeting member.

Two members of the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums performed, and the chairwoman of the 350th Anniversary Committee, Linda Lee-Sheridan, recited a brief history of the town.

Because there was only one microphone available at the front of the church, only the least contentious of articles in the meeting warrant were voted on Monday. The rest were scheduled for discussion at the high school Tuesday and Thursday.

Articles one through five were approved unanimously without discussion, article six was skipped, and article seven was passed with more than a two-thirds vote following some discussion and an amendment.

Article seven approved the use of $1.8 million to fund capital improvement projects such as repairing sidewalks, buying new turnout gear for the Fire Department, and repairing the roof of the high school building.

The amendment added language allowing the town to sell unused or outdated equipment to help offset costs associated with the projects.

Natalie Feulner can be reached at natalie.feulner@gmail.com.