Planning Board Approves Tree Removal At Highland Street Site

Planning Board · Meeting of August 27, 2026

Milton's Planning Board unanimously approved clearing the way for a stalled memory care project to start removing trees ahead of a building permit. Members voted to amend the special permit for Northbridge Communities' 107-111 Highland Street project, letting a demolition permit serve as site access while roughly 300 trees are removed and two structures demolished, with Attorney Edward Corcoran citing a November 15 deadline to open the street for utility work. Secretary Cheryl Tougias and member Margaret Oldfield pushed for phased tree removal, citing a prior project where clear-cutting caused erosion and litigation, but member Hal Munger argued restricting the work "doesn't make sense." Neighbor Teresa O'Brien told the board "no offense, Ned, I don't think you have a construction degree," objecting to the pace.

The board also approved ADU site plans at 531 Brook Road and 136 Indian Spring Road, and separately agreed to send the Select Board a letter criticizing the East Milton fire station RFP for favoring "the highest price" over public-benefit protections.

In the full story:

• Administrative Business and Staff Updates
• Special Permit Minor Modification: 107-111 Highland Street
• ADU Site Plan Review: 531 Brook Road
• ADU Site Plan Review: 136 Indian Spring Road
• Economic Development Plan Draft Scope
• East Milton Fire Station Reuse Proposals
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,002 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.