[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6283612,"mediaKeyId","2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a","parentId",2586699,"title","Votes at a glance: Finance Committee actions, March 12, 2025","audioSeconds",74,"startMs",7298000,"endMs",7372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a&start=7298&end=7372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a/thumbnail_7298000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283612/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Finance-Committee-actions-March-12-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283612-eac2a7cc5d84c6f8bcf225718c126b6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973782&Signature=DwqfdYxb784gf5~DLtzqjpBoxG1r1qRKihX1-Nwbb9TGDQ5dkRJazV9kpPPlcDjcZ5yt3KXpL9TDxLYZLy0l4HI-pjcXLJb2vFFDbNs~CearJC3N~4~Yd2JGRS8pFnCi0X0iWlP9CuKyXT26lIwcNJJslYVVs~ZI8NdErOKZyhT0kBOTag4GEDeiP~CSG2Frw52bGj2a~FWSiasSKfupWnqJrtfJ5YddUpX0dpk4Hlpo5jplFGtVxQxKOQmzVSPp2zG5qFrxrH2vp4AXYohcDyDD2gYXANbQyDdA-SqRbGVHnpGk14XhLLJRxQEOTmZjTI3yeY9nnQfsYR5xFuHR9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Millis, MA","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","At its March 12 meeting the Millis Finance Committee took roll‑call votes to approve minutes from two prior meetings.

- February 12, 2025 minutes: A motion to approve the minutes was moved and seconded. One member explicitly announced an abstention (Sarah Reyes); later in the roll call the committee reported two abstentions. The chair announced the motion approved with abstentions.

- February 26, 2025 minutes: A motion to approve the minutes was moved and seconded; the committee performed a roll‑call and approved the February 26, 2025 minutes.

The meeting ended with a motion and second to adjourn, which carried by voice/raise of hands.

The Finance Committee did not record additional formal votes on budget items during the March 12 session; most substantive items were discussed and referred for further detail, analysis or referral to the Capital Planning Committee, Select Board or enterprise committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Millis, MA - Finance Committee 3/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Committee took formal votes on minutes from its February meetings during the March 12 session; the committee approved both sets of minutes by roll call.","taxTitle","Town of Millis, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54409,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6283615,"Millis veterans office requests $48,000; town expects Chapter 115 reimbursements",175,152000,327000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a&start=152&end=327","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6283615/Massachusetts/Millis-veterans-office-requests-48000-town-expects-Chapter-115-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283615-8669fdc61c5575c7c104dbccdcd26fef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973782&Signature=BHgS9QlMibFL5QTEL4ukwFkm0oJqln2-LJkG2yOHv9q1XLU2C00SSHV1asF19RIv~AcDrGSz60YaDsVsyq4eN0ruqcaxCTj~HA6YG23DThE7jbPiNsxuBlpQVI4IDX7ELPfpy0I-6fg9lAl5DM8VfIPKpl4h3lWKR~t7jGri5N5CmYvOPAoD3crp5yUEsGsIzq06oI9ik5RnbHAiqpFwNXmnKaoBxd8Pz7j3TWN64WXdc30GQ3EOSkc9baJiEiEMViaBPE-2xVCqzrxjcPbcyqZrVkC28zfr06kBYiKnBCUBbwCft~L4fV-hqdZx7s9dYjMpD9~nXTFhRs3JeZIYhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Millis veterans office presented its FY26 budget request to the Finance Committee on March 12, reporting a total request of about $48,000 and explaining that roughly $22,000 of the budget is for Chapter 115 assistance, which local officials said is currently reimbursed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at 75 percent.

The veterans presenter (unnamed in the transcript) told the committee that Chapter 115 benefits help veterans and their widows who fall below the poverty line. The office reported two local widows currently receiving approximately $800 per month in assistance; the town pays the full benefit and receives roughly $600 per month in reimbursement from the state at the 75 percent rate.

Other line items included a $3,500 burial fund used to cover transportation and funeral home costs in emergency cases; the presenter said the fund has been tapped several times since 2019, most recently to cover cremation costs that funeral homes required before releasing remains.

Why it matters: The veterans budget is largely reimbursed when the state share applies, but the presenter told the committee the amount is a ‘‘living’’ number — caseload can change if additional veterans or families become eligible. The presenter said that in many years the office returns unspent money to the town at year‑end when caseloads are lower.

Ending: Committee members asked a few clarifying questions and thanked the presenter. There were no formal votes on the veterans item at the meeting.","The town’s veterans office told the Finance Committee its FY26 budget request is about $48,000, with roughly $22,000 tied to Chapter 115 benefits that Massachusetts reimburses at 75 percent.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6283620,"Millis building commissioner seeks town vehicle; committee weighs reuse, mileage and decals",556,656000,1212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a&start=656&end=1212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a/thumbnail_656000.jpg","/articles/6283620/Massachusetts/Millis-building-commissioner-seeks-town-vehicle-committee-weighs-reuse-mileage-and-decals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283620-2bd9049bb538007e57bf7b68289c6512/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973782&Signature=NbcCQ5UU~QRcPGX~imkFLSGqNwvCT~Hqc8SCkPT7RvEfWDvl9XPZdC5rSip5cQsOuY~V0Cnlo2CsJcbj8jJCh2O49ScphmUKw~pIqLC~sITEG0PPsSfit-Jn82oVxcU3fNchPYjsAH1Zn1p6Y2yvwuMJiDxu0hV8G~Wi8JQkVuSmdrF8SVTNlZIl0SVM1OYUE9uajEjd0FrFy1QpimvXieFKCOWA7Tm0oUGVVQDmYaQ4aOhqKGCsi5UOfqZDsYa993DTUd9fFXyHIGSGjhU-p-5N4OUX4e86xuF8cKvBtUtMXDviofzzjlF90itNFwOA5tSnG9~9S0--K7kj3MmMOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Millis building commissioner presented a FY26 capital request for a dedicated vehicle and told the Finance Committee on March 12 that inspectors currently use personal vehicles and receive mileage reimbursement.

Joe (building commissioner) said inspectors are reimbursed for mileage when they travel on town business and that several employees currently use personal trucks. He asked the committee to consider either purchasing or leasing a pickup for inspections work. Committee members and town staff discussed alternatives: the capital committee will investigate whether a surplus Council on Aging vehicle could be transferred for inspections use, whether magnetic signage or permanent lettering would be preferred, and how DPW would handle mechanical maintenance.

Why it matters: Committee members noted a capital purchase would need to be weighed against mileage reimbursement costs and operational considerations. One member suggested calculating historical mileage reimbursements (quoted in the meeting as roughly $2,000–$3,500 per year per inspector) to determine if buying a vehicle is more economical. The capital planning committee planned to review mileage history and rank the vehicle request at its next meeting.

Operational details and identification: Committee members recommended the vehicle, if purchased, remain at the municipal center overnight rather than be driven home by staff. They also discussed badging and identification for inspectors who visit private property; the building commissioner said identification badges are being implemented and that any town vehicle would be lettered “Town of Millis — Inspections.”

Ending: The capital planning committee will review the request and supply an operational recommendation at future meetings; finance staff asked for mileage and reimbursement history to support cost comparisons.","The new building commissioner asked the Finance Committee for a capital vehicle; members discussed using an existing Council on Aging vehicle, mileage reimbursement history, and whether town lettering or magnetic decals would be appropriate.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6283626,"Millis town clerk presents staffing plan, mail‑in ballot surge and possible charter change",338,1674000,2012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a&start=1674&end=2012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a/thumbnail_1674000.jpg","/articles/6283626/Massachusetts/Millis-town-clerk-presents-staffing-plan-mailin-ballot-surge-and-possible-charter-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283626-78efe78606421c8088586f6ec7f8ea34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973782&Signature=J0MB7ZUBWnbe7LbquQ6onB7kLsh7SWeMDh-OIfuS5Uf5DhN1kiFv4dZv9zwab6FsWtyIyi0Kgj6lbrNNbkIrw0BXhS~2YtQlCLeGO5r22PtFkTqmWgIhtjg8kg0S7oDtdQw22q20NtJRKUA8AKG85QpcRD1vcKtbEIP06sa4-cm1euwH4MimaMBH9aNp7-O1B2x2TJFozFCOS-iHxzphj5t5U44pkP7YWlJ1Zpvcazrau04-Ppu5tHQQBNBehv8-uzkgua9hh9iSbfcA0DHtqfEgizrsz~udU8l1sw14t5YY33FlQWOokvMiEuREui5SMB67d3SqAokWhlz7iiuU5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cathy Smith, interim Town Clerk for the Town of Millis, told the Finance Committee on March 12 that demand for mail‑in ballots has jumped since a 2022 change to Massachusetts law and that the clerk’s office is budgeting for either continued elected staffing or transition to an appointed clerk, depending on outcomes of pending Select Board and town meeting actions.

Smith and deputy Deirdre Gilmore described a rapid expansion of mail‑in ballot requests: the town mailed about 3,325 ballots for the 2024 presidential election and received approximately 2,500 back. Smith said the increase followed a change to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 54, Section 25, under which all registered voters receive a state postcard asking whether they want a mail‑in ballot; if a voter checks “all elections,” local contests are included in ballot mailings.

The clerk’s budget proposal includes a 40‑hour week department head town clerk and a 30‑hour assistant clerk — an increase of 12.5 hours from the prior year — to cover the heavier workload during election seasons and to maintain office functions while the clerk’s status remains in flux. Smith said she and town staff will present a warrant article to town meeting and, if approved by voters, the change would also require a special act by the Legislature and signature by the governor; the Select Board planned to discuss placing a question on the May ballot.

Why it matters: Smith said the office needed more staff hours because mail‑in ballots and early voting create additional processing steps and recordkeeping; she said the town receives partial state grant reimbursement for mail‑in and early‑voting costs but not all expenses are covered. The clerk’s office also seeks funding for voter outreach (high‑school registration drives and senior education), staff training, and improved records filing, including a long‑term goal of digitizing planning, zoning and town records for easier public access.

Town meeting process items: Smith told the committee the Select Board had not yet made a final determination on whether to put an appointed‑vs‑elected question on the May ballot; if the warrant article and ballot measure both pass locally, the town would still need the Legislature’s special act to enact the change, a process likely to take about a year.

Other requests and pilot projects: The clerk’s presentation listed consideration of town meeting “clickers” (handheld voting devices) to speed counting and improve accuracy at indoor town meetings. Vendors quoted rental or purchase examples; Smith said leasing or renting for a single event could be far less expensive than purchase, but she had not yet placed a budgeted figure in the FY26 request because pricing and community acceptance were still under review. She also said the office intends to pursue state grants for durable early‑voting equipment or additional precinct machines if population growth requires added precincts.

Ending: The Finance Committee members asked for more detail on grant reimbursements and on budget lines that depend on whether the clerk remains elected or becomes appointed. Smith said unused funds under either scenario would return to town free cash if not expended and pledged to provide updated grant figures and cost estimates at a future meeting.","Interim Town Clerk Cathy Smith updated the Finance Committee on rising mail‑in ballot demand after a state law change, an uncertain charter change that could make the clerk appointed rather than elected, and the office’s FY26 staffing and training requests.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6283631,"Millis faces sewer, staffing and PFAS costs as DPW urges two new general‑fund hires",3927,3280000,7207000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a&start=3280&end=7207","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586699-205b61b7acd7a9b655fef7ddb916056a/thumbnail_3280000.jpg","/articles/6283631/Massachusetts/Millis-faces-sewer-staffing-and-PFAS-costs-as-DPW-urges-two-new-generalfund-hires","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283631-3c8501feaf3f7b53b8ad6954c716d83b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770973782&Signature=dbFB73dT2QOQ-HiFNTqFXWULM04Cbg7OAAy3QhpFNjEOMTw6n5G~83jQ7-P3I~7dichKdm5UbjRawlFMg8ncEUBbeUx~AAbgU5Z0-B7o5voujeifR1AbX29iLp7NMHKpoTmDEdwbIM~Br6kF9SIASvlctZqjIVDfyYA1mfwFN8QvhxJoK~RNzNjOuQxL0kDPhiYS5~O98eozj23nbDIreFhGpRxMDDuyl5AHu5LciC0Dw7bCDw-Xq5dwCDCn2mV1PjvuVtynrOU73SRfSJxFtNtEI~mtNg90IT5V6Z06u0ya-F22ioXDyfyJrF5UsJC0rlVnNCf3PS5sdxSHL~jVPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Millis Department of Public Works told the Finance Committee on March 12 that three separate budget pressures — sewer capacity limits under a new MassDEP permitting approach, construction of a PFAS treatment plant, and persistent cost transfers from enterprise funds into the general fund — are driving a request to reallocate labor costs and add staff.

At the meeting Jim McKay, speaking for the DPW, said Millis has secured grant and below‑interest loan funding for a new PFAS treatment plant at Well No. 3, but the project — a roughly $7.1 million capital program — and the town’s sewer permitting status will keep pressure on operating budgets. McKay said the town has applied for and expects an EPA grant of about $3.5 million, a MassDEP SRF loan of about $3.6 million and a recent $100,000 state appropriation for construction; construction work was scheduled to start the week after the committee meeting.

Why it matters: DPW officials said the town’s sewer discharge permit situation has become a direct constraint on future development and on operating costs. Millis must now file its own sewer permit with MassDEP rather than rely on the Charles River Pollution Control District’s consolidated filing, McKay said; the new permit requires the town to demonstrate how it will reduce infiltration and inflow that sends excess water to the regional treatment plant. That permit, he said, caps certain daily flows and triggers penalties if the town exceeds permitted volumes on multiple days.

DPW staff told the committee that the town experienced at least one day last year when more than one million gallons were sent to the Charles River plant, exceeding the town’s permitted per‑day threshold. McKay warned that until Millis can show reductions in infiltration and inflow, the town will need to restrict sewer capacity allocations for new developments and may face higher remediation costs.

McKay also described the PFAS project timeline and funding. He said earlier federal grant funding had been put at risk because of ‘‘Buy American’’ requirements when the town bid its first PFAS plant; the new project is being bid and built to meet that guidance, he said. The town administrator later confirmed the town had executed a state grant agreement and that construction would begin shortly.

Enterprise funds and the general fund: The DPW presentation explained long‑running cost‑allocation problems. McKay said payroll and work‑assignment practices have produced a structural transfer from enterprise funds (water, sewer, stormwater) to the general fund: enterprise funds have been subsidizing general‑fund activities because DPW personnel often perform general‑fund maintenance work but hours and charges were not consistently tracked. That situation, he said, now produces a payroll shortfall in the general fund that the town has covered by transferring enterprise fund money back into the general fund. McKay and the finance staff proposed a reallocation of percentages across divisions and adding full‑time general‑fund DPW positions to reduce the need for transfers.

The DPW request to the Finance Committee includes adding two heavy equipment/operator positions in the general fund and changing how existing positions are split across enterprise and general funds. The committee’s materials show that the proposed change would increase the general‑fund share of DPW payroll by roughly $124,500 while reducing sewer and stormwater shares by about $89,000 and $42,800 respectively; the net effect would be to lessen the repeated year‑end transfers between funds.

Transfer station, capital needs and parks maintenance: McKay said the transfer station is operating at roughly $99,000 in revenues in FY24, with current FY25 receipts down compared with last year; the transfer station carries an operating cost in the town’s budget listing of roughly $270,000. He told the committee that transfer station revenue offsets but does not fully cover operating costs, and that expanding direct town refuse pick‑up is not economically viable at present.

The DPW’s capital list includes a replacement 2013 dump truck shared across funds at an estimated split cost; McKay told the committee the truck is at or near end‑of‑life and must be replaced. He also warned of maintenance needs at town ballfields and other public properties that currently rely heavily on volunteer and youth‑sports fundraising to pay for repairs.

What happens next: The DPW director said collective‑bargaining contract outcomes and final personnel plan details will affect FY26 figures and that the Select Board will need to consider whether to fund the proposed positions in the next budget cycle.

Ending: The Finance Committee asked follow‑up questions; town administrators and select board members present expressed support for pursuing the DPW staffing changes and for continued grant pursuit on PFAS costs. The DPW said it will return with final figures after contracts are ratified and after the enterprise committee and Select Board have reviewed the allocation changes.","Department of Public Works staff told the Finance Committee that sewer capacity limits, ongoing PFAS treatment construction and long-running cost‑sharing between enterprise funds and the general fund have created pressure that the DPW says requires two new general‑fund positions and shifting budget percentages across funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Finance Committee actions, March 12, 2025

Millis veterans office requests $48,000; town expects Chapter 115 reimbursements

Millis building commissioner seeks town vehicle; committee weighs reuse, mileage and decals

Millis town clerk presents staffing plan, mail‑in ballot surge and possible charter change

Millis faces sewer, staffing and PFAS costs as DPW urges two new general‑fund hires