Millis Finance Committee Rehearses All 24 Town Meeting Articles Ahead of Monday Vote

PEPPERELL — April 29, 2026 — Millis Finance Committee previews all 24 annual town meeting articles in a pre-vote dry run. The nine-member committee, chaired by John Laur, walked through the full warrant Wednesday in a rehearsal session ahead of the May 4 annual town meeting at Millis High School, with no new votes taken. The centerpiece is a $48,258,583 fiscal year 2027 operating budget carrying a 3.5 percent increase, alongside a $1,286,633 two-thirds-majority borrowing article for a town-wide water meter replacement. The committee flagged that host community agreement funds supporting the school resource officer, extended library hours, and social work services will be exhausted after FY27, requiring future absorption into the operating budget. A $200,000 Community Preservation Act appropriation for a 48-unit all-affordable housing development at 1178 Main Street generated the most audience discussion, with Capital Planning Committee and Select Board member Craig Schultz noting the project holds a comprehensive permit and will be built in any case — "I would rather have 48 units that are affordable to residents rather than 12." The committee also previewed a $120,000 FEMA flood map study and a $1,168,158.69 PFAS settlement fund appropriation for water remediation capital projects, both recommended unanimously.