Route 28 in Milton

Milton was the scene of another violent car crash this weekend on Route 28 which has been experiencing an onslaught of horrific fatal accidents.

This MassDOT thoroughfare provides vehicle access between Milton, Randolph, and Quincy and is a frequent source of unmitigated cut-through traffic and congestion. Which has a disproportionate effect on our residents.

People aren’t just losing their patience, they are losing their lives on this deadly road which is inadequate to handle the current traffic volume and notorious for speeding and racing at night, with very lax traffic enforcement.

Milton is in the crosshairs of the governor, while agencies she oversees fail to act on critical safety issues in the town. Years ago MassDOT declared Route 28 at Chickatawbut Road (a gateway into the Blue Hills Reservation) as the most dangerous intersection in the state, yet they fail to resolve this hazardous intersection.

Governor Healey is trying to compel Milton to over zone an additional 25% of housing, when we cannot handle the traffic that already congests our neighborhoods.

In May MassDOT held a virtual public meeting concerning the safety of Route 28 and no select board members attended, which is reprehensible and disrespectful to the residents and our outstanding first responders.

Milton’s “leaders” should have participated and insisted that this meeting take place in person. Many residents care about this incredibly dangerous thoroughfare and have questions about what (if any) mitigation efforts have been employed. In November 2024 MassDOT canceled a scheduled meeting without explanation.

The same issues that drove our country’s founders to declare independence from the Crown in 1776 continue to plague Milton: heavy taxes, weak leadership, and an overreaching state government numb to the needs of its citizens.

If Gov. Healey doesn’t do something to stop this, we will have more people losing their lives on this deadly highway.

Kerry White

Chair, Milton Republican Town Committee

Bar advocates

Speaking about bar counsel advocates seeking a pay increase to represent indigent defendants, State Senator Lydia Edwards says, “…They have gotten our attention.” She adds, “What I would love to see is them get back to work in good faith, and a commitment from us in good faith to work on an increase in their wages.” (“Pointing Fingers,” July 10).

Bar advocates have telegraphed to the country’s most opaque legislative body that they have no faith in them, much the same as over 70% of the Commonwealth’s voters did in last November’s election. (The electorate’s mandated audit has yet to occur).

As for bar advocates, the legislature has no compelling reason to “work on an increase” for bar advocates now that they’ve passed the budget and can move on to summer vacations and raising funds for non-competitive elections to preserve their jobs. And when fingers do get pointed for the first recidivist violent offender, they will be at the bar advocates and judges.

Paul Stewart

Quincy